Episode 101: Want Better Sex? Get Better Sleep

Human beings spend about one-third of their lives asleep. We do this because sleep is an essential body function. When we don’t get enough sleep, we suffer in a lot of ways–and that includes our sex lives. That’s why today’s episode is all about the important connection between sex and sleep. As you’ll learn, getting better sleep is one of the keys to having better sex. But it’s also the case that having a great sex life can help you get better sleep. The connection between sleep and sex goes both ways! I am joined by Dr. Michele Lastella, a senior lecturer at Central Queensland University and a global leader in sleep research in athletes. He has 70 peer-reviewed publications related to sleep, sport psychology, psychological well-being and more. Some of the topics we address in this episode include: Why do we often feel tired or sleepy after sex? How does sex impact the quality of the sleep we get? Does masturbation affect sleep in the same way? Does the impact of sex on sleep depend on whether or not orgasm occurs? Does sex affect sleep in the same way for men and women? How do both temporary and chronic sleep disruptions (such as sleep apnea and insomnia) affect our sexual health and well-being? Why do penile and clitoral erections occur during sleep? What are some practical tips for getting better sleep so that you can have better sex? Check it out! To learn more about Michele, check out his Google Scholar profile and follow him on Twitter @sleeppsyc Thanks to the Kinsey Institute (kinseyinstitute.org) for sponsoring this episode! The Kinsey Institute’s (kinseyinstitute.org) 75th anniversary is underway and you are invited to join in the celebration! Follow @kinseyinstitute on social media to learn more about upcoming events. Also, please consider a gift or donation to the Institute to support sex research and education. Click here to donate. *** Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram. Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast! Credits: LEGIT Audio (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.