Keep Sweat Where it Belongs

Do your palms sweat, knees shake, and lips quiver at the thought of giving a presentation? Getting a little sweaty between the sheets can prevent you from getting that way at the podium. According to a recent study, having sex before a stressful event, such as giving a speech or going on an interview (or even before having an operation!), can greatly reduce anxiety. And the calming effect can last up to a week.

How, exactly, did researchers measure the effect of sex on stress? A small group of people wrote down their daily sexual activities for 2 weeks and also got their blood pressure measured before and while giving a presentation. It turned out that those who had intercourse were less stressed and their blood pressure returned to normal faster than those who did other sexy things (DIY sex, for instance, didn't reduce speech-making stress). Those who abstained had the highest blood pressure responses to stress. This small study, like several others, points to a hormone called oxytocin as one possible reason for the benefit. The hormone is released during sex, and it's known to reduce the sweaty, shaky signs of stress. But the answer is likely more than just that; to say the physiology of sex is complicated is like saying Bill Gates likes computers. Of course, no stress reduction strategy is worth pursuing if it puts your health at risk. The benefits to having an active, fulfilling sex life only apply when it's safe, monogamous sex.

If you're single, all's not lost. There's another easy way to ensure that your presentation goes smoothly: Know your stuff.