Raphael Stevens

Your heart is racing, you’re breathing hard, your quads are burning, and you can’t deny that familiar rush of endorphins. Steamy session between the sheets or killer sweat sesh at the gym? Let’s be real, how many times after you’ve worked for that big “O” has the thought, “That’s got to have burned at least 100 calories!” crossed your mind? If you’re wondering if you can kill two birds with one stone (sexercise is a thing, right?), you’re not alone. A recent survey from sexual wellness brand Lovehoney revealed that as many as 71% of Americans are classing their bedroom antics as a workout, and one in 10 are even going to the extent of tracking how many calories they burn.
So can a big “O” really replace our gym membership? I tapped into the expertise of sex educators and coaches to get the lowdown. Ahead, the perks of getting horizontal, whether or not sex counts as exercise, and the best positions to get the most bang (see what I did there?) for your buck. 

What are the health benefits of having sex?
As if you needed more reason to beeline to the bedroom, having sex is an all-around winner for your well-being. Pippa Murphy, a sex and relationship expert at condoms.uk, revealed all: “A healthy sex life is a key component of a happy and healthy life,” she explained. “Sex releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that help us relax and unwind. It also burns calories and improves circulation, which can help prevent heart disease.” 
But it doesn’t stop there. There’s no mistaking your increased heart rate and blood pressure during sexual activity. It turns out, it’s working for us in more ways than one. “Sex requires more oxygen than other forms of exercise, meaning you’re breathing harder for longer,” Murphy stated. “And because your heart rate increases during sex, it’s good for your cardiovascular system—keeping your heart strong and improving blood flow throughout your body.” And yes, that includes solo sex. Still not convinced? Having sex can also reduce stress and anxiety, boost immunity, and help you get better Zzzs. Samantha Jones was onto something…

So does sex count as exercise?
If you had the choice between running on the treadmill and getting it on, my guess would be you’d choose the latter (same). Well, I’ve got good and bad news for you: A 2013 study found that getting sexy had less caloric expenditure than jogging, but more than walking. In other words, you are likely getting mild-moderate exercise. So does it count as a full workout? After polling the experts, the answer is basically yes and no.
“It depends on what benefits you’re looking for,” explained Dr. Catherine Dukes, a sex therapist and educator at The Center for Connection & Desire LLC. “If you are looking to build muscle or improve cardiovascular ability, then sex isn’t enough to replace a workout. But if you’re looking to make sure you’re physically active each day and take care of your body in ways that keep you active, connected, reduce overall stress in your life, help you stop and be mindful, then YES, sex can absolutely be the best workout.” Certified sex educator, Senna Miller, agreed that it’s not enough to replace your gym time. “You may get hot and sweaty, but sex doesn’t replace a solid workout,” she said. “It’s still good for you. Just…not as a full workout.” 
Bottom line: Sex shouldn’t be your primary form of exercise, but if you’re looking for an excuse to have more sex, by all means. After all, “exercise” doesn’t have to mean a 60-minute class or sweat session at the gym; our bodies are just meant to live less sedentarily. If you mix it in with regular walking, working your muscles, and stretching, sex can absolutely be a beneficial part of an active lifestyle; it just shouldn’t be your only form of activity. 

What sex positions are most like a workout?
Let’s be clear: The most important reason to have sex is for your own pleasure. Period. But the fact that sex can make you feel good and give you health benefits should just give you more reason to get in the bedroom. So let’s get physical: What sex positions have been found to be the most physically demanding? According to Lovehoney, Doggy Style, Reverse Cowgirl, or Standing Up are some positions that could make you feel pleasure while boosting the fitness benefits. 
To try these pleasure-inducing and health-boosting positions at home, certified sex educator Javay Frye-Nekrasova (MEd) recommends some prep work to maximize the benefits (and pleasure), like stretching out wrists for Doggy Style or adding leg workouts into your regimen to work up more strength and endurance for Reverse Cowgirl. To try standing up, add a pillow for comfort against a wall or use a table or chair for support. “For a more physical challenge, try a standing position where one person has their legs wrapped around the person standing,” Miller suggested. “It may cause some laughs, but it will also add some physical work to the session.”
 

PSA: Tapping Into Your Cycle Can Help You Have Better Sex More

You’re booked and busy, you’re freezing, and you don’t want to get out of your flare leggings? It must be the end of the year. Let me guess: You know exactly what you have to do and where you have to be for the next few months between end-of-year projects and holiday events, but you have hardly taken any time at all to think about what you are going to need to power through the season? We are right there with you. So before the year passes us by, we are thinking about how we can take time for ourselves among the chaos, and we are sharing them with you here. Ahead, 10 ways that you can treat yourself during the busiest (and gloomiest) time of year.

1. Get a new pair of cozy slippers
Our slippers get a lot more attention than any of our other shoes during this time of year, so buying a new pair of comfortable, high-quality slippers should be first on your treat-yourself list. SeaVees’ SeaChange Slippers are our go-to slippers because they are extra comfy due to their recycled fleece, and they have a long-lasting natural rubber outsole—meaning you can wear them inside your home and out without fear of ruining them. Plus you can feel good about buying them because every pair sold from this collection gives back $1 to SeaTrees, a non-profit that works to restore blue carbon coastal ecosystems and ocean health globally. Win-win!

SeaChange Slippers
These slippers are an editor-favorite for a reason. With an extra comfy, recycled fleece footbed for comfort and a long-lasting rubber outsole, these slippers are perfect for inside of your home and out.
Use code EVERYGIRL for 20% off of your first purchase at SeaVees + enter our giveaway HERE to enter to win two pairs of SeaVees shoes of your choice, free!

2. Book a spa treatment
The business of the season distracts us from the self-care time we really need, but the best way to make sure you have it is by booking a treatment into your calendar. Block off your schedule for a few hours (or the whole day if you can manage it), and treat yourself to a massage, brow tint, facial, lash refill, you name it. You will come out of your appointment feeling relaxed and refreshed which is exactly what the doctor orders this time of year.

3. Get a blowout
Between Q4 deadlines and holiday events, who has the time to wash and blowout their own hair? Not us. Give your stylists a call and book a blowout for the busiest week on your calendar so you don’t have to worry about styling your hair yourself. This will serve as a time-saver for at least 4-5 days, and it will force you to sit in the salon chair and relax for an hour.

4. Refresh your space
We spend a lot of time in our homes this season—whether it’s because we are forced to stay in from a snowstorm or because we are so busy that we barely look up from our WFH space. If you’re going to be spending so much time at home, it’s a good time to refresh your space. Here are some ideas: rearrange your furniture, switch out your art prints, buy a new shower curtain, or pick out new cozy bedding.

5. Use your PTO
I know what you’re thinking, but yes, you DO have the time to take the day off even during the busiest time of the year. And you better use your PTO before you lose it come January 1! Look at your schedule and pick a day to either do absolutely nothing at all or spend it checking off the things that have been on your to-do list for weeks.

6. Take a bubble bath
In the summer, most of us don’t want to be bothered with a hot bath, but when it’s cold and grey outside, nothing sounds more relaxing than running a bath, lighting a seasonal candle, and most importantly, putting our phones on Do Not Disturb. Order a luxurious bath soak, put “Bubble Bath” into your calendar as a scheduled solo date, and take in the mind and body benefits. You will feel refreshed in no time.

7. Try a new workout class
Have you been eying up the new pilates studio on your block? Is there a class style at your gym that you’ve been wanting to try? Now is the time. Reserve a spot in class to switch up your routine. Not only will you benefit from the endorphins, but you might find your new favorite workout style or meet some new people. Pro tip: If going to a new class makes you nervous, treat yourself to a new matching set for motivation and a confidence boost.

8. Take care of your skin
I don’t know about you, but my skin takes an absolute beating in the winter months. Due to the lower level of moisture in the air, my hands crack and itch, and my face is under the impression that it needs to produce even more oil to hydrate itself, leading to breakouts. If you experience skincare woes in the winter too, set time aside to pay extra attention to your skin. This could mean researching new products, not rushing through your skincare routine, or checking in with your dermatologist.

Sleep-Care Is the New Self-Care: Here’s How You Should Upgrade Your Routine

This post contains a sponsored inclusion of SeaVees, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

As a proudly South African restaurant, Wimpy recognises Mzanzi’s richness and has partnered with Ethnikids, an online children’s bookstore started by five South African moms, for a second year to give children access to an African folktale collection in their home language.
 Passionate about kids and their education, Wimpy is committed to bringing its edu-tainment philosophy to life. “Children are close to our hearts and core to our offering. Our collaboration with Ethnikids enables us to bringing real South African stories to kids in a fun and engaging way,” says Jodi Law, Brand Manager, Wimpy.

 In a country with 11 official languages, mother tongue books are not readily available, and most children’s books lack cultural context. “It is critical that children are exposed to literature that includes diverse ethnicities, this positively impacts a child’s self-image and develops pride in who they are and where they come from” says Seago Maapola, Educational Psychologist. 
Stories that speak about who we are play an important role in representation, guiding what we should be proud of. “When there is a lack of representation, children are exposed to a single narrative based on stereotypes, this leads to them experiencing negative psychological outcomes and often feeling like they’re not good enough,” adds Maapola.
Wimpy commissioned Ethnikids to develop a multilingual, multicultural folktale collection giving children access to diverse characters and stories that they can relate to and identify with. The collection is based on five South African folktales, with some of SA’s most talented authors and illustrators collaborating to provide children tales that represent the rainbow nation’s melting pot of cultures.
English versions of the books are available at Wimpy restaurants nationwide with every Kids’ Combo Meal. Online versions of the books are available in all SA’s official languages, as well as in Khoe/Nama the original Bantu language of the Khoisan people that is being advocated to become one of SA’s official languages on the Wimpy website.
“This year’s campaign includes an interactive online and in-restaurant experience encouraging children to engage with the stories. Children can choose their own ending by scanning a QR code at the back of the books, using their own imagination to expand on the narratives” adds Law.

A second phase of the campaign will enable to kids collect 3D cardboard puppets from each of the featured books. These fold-out scenes will include different characters and allow kids to make use of their imagination, acting out scenes and making up their own characters.
Visit https://wimpy.co.za/kids/mzanzi-stories/ to find out more.

*In Partnership With Wimpy More