Sex is the playground of any healthy relationship, so why is that, in time, we decrease in our desire for our partner? It is because we stop giving our all to the relationship and no longer see the benefit or excitement in having sex. Sex with your spouse offers a level of comfort to be experimental, open and trusting in a way that cannot be matched. On top of that, there are some serious health benefits to a great sex life to provide further enjoyment and motivation. Here I list the seven amazing benefits of sex.

1. Sex Improves Your Mood: Why not use sex as a mood booster rather than a supplement from the health food store? Sex has been shown to improve our mental health by building intimacy and reducing stress. Sex has shown to lower our blood pressure, it brings a sense of safety and security and it increases oxytocin, which is our feel good hormone. Shots of sex should be had as often as possible.

2. Helps You Stay Thin: Don’t feel like going to the gym? Grab your spouse and have some sex-cardio. Why not call it Sexercise! Sex burns between 75-150 calories per half hour. It is a great way to stay connected to your health, your partner, and to that sexy body you think you can only get in the gym. Further, orgasms release testosterone, which is necessary for building lean muscle tissue!

3. Decreases Risk For Heart Disease: This is a two-level bonus of sex. On the physical level, sex raises our heart rate and blood flow; and if you have it twice per week your risk of heart attack is reduced by almost half. On the emotional level sex decreases the feeling of heartbreak or love disease, loneliness and a lack of connection. It increases love and bonding and is an essential ingredient in maintaining a long-term loving relationship.

4. Improves Sleep: Because sex is a great stress reliever it has been shown that sex before bed produces a let-down of stress and induces a deep state of relaxation after orgasm. Sex makes it so the body can completely relax emotionally and chemically.

5. Immune System Booster: Who needs Airborne when you can use sex to keep your immune system in pristine shape? Sex increases certain antibodies in the body known to boost your immune system. So instead of a painful flu shot or large doses of Airborne, make a sex date with your partner to stay healthy and vital!

6. Improves the Glow of Your Skin: Sex can keep you thin and make you glow! Sex has been shown to release a key compound called DHEA in your body, which is good for improving your complexion. Many purchase DHEA over the counter to stay looking young. Worried about aging, save your money on creams and supplements and have more sex!

7. Pain Reliever: Ever have cramps with your menstruation ladies? Sex has been shown to largely decrease this pain, as well as the pain of all other kinds. Don’t use that "headache" as an excuse to get out of sex, use sex to get rid of your headache. Sex releases endorphins, which act as a powerful analgesic.

The benefits to sex far outweigh the "obligation" we often feel emotionally to have it. Of course a loving relationship is a baseline requirement, but sometimes the best way to remember how much you love your partner is to be vulnerable and sexual. The health benefits far outweigh the costs of having it. Stay thin, get your glow on, increase your immune system, decrease your physical pain and get a good night’s sleep.

Dr. Sherrie Campbell is the author of "Loving Yourself" and a licensed psychologist with more than 19 years of clinical training and experience. She provides practical tools to help people overcome obstacles to self-love and truly achieve an empowered life. She is a featured regularly on national online media and has a successful practice in Southern California. Receive free insights from Sherrie through her Facebook community. She is a featured expert on a variety of national websites and has a successful practice in Southern California. For more information visit www.sherriecampbellphd.com.