Essential elements of healthy sexuality

Essential Elements of Healthy Sexuality
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Essential Elements of Healthy Sexuality
Abstract
There are numerous definitions of healthy sexual life. Among the most prominent is that a healthy sexual life means one has the power as well as the knowledge to express sexuality in a manner that enriches that person’s life. Although many cultural backgrounds contribute to different understandings of healthy sexuality, some aspects stand out across most cultures. It is important to note that sexuality means more than just sex. Healthy sexuality is cultural, social, physical, as well as emotional. Among the most important is sexual intimacy. It has been reported to have numerous advantages, most of which have been discussed.
There is also the aspect of abstinence before marriage that is advertised by most spiritual leaders, in addition to some sexuality psychologists. One can agree that it is a touchy matter; since sex and the desire to procreate is an intrinsic human character. However, abstinence before marriage is linked to healthy sexuality by creating intimacy between couples once married. Sexual intimacy is the core of a strong and lasting relationship. Couples should see to it that they promote intimacy so that they can have a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Introduction
Sexuality is the central aspect of being human throughout life which encompasses sexual orientation, eroticism, intimacy, pleasure, gender identities and roles, and sex.

Sexuality is expressed and experienced in relationships, roles, attitudes, beliefs, desires, and fantasies. Healthy sexuality refers to having the power and knowledge to express one’s sexuality in ways that would enrich one’s life, and which is free from violence and coercion. For sexual health to be maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be protected, fulfilled and respected. The objective of the paper is to describe some of the essential elements of healthy sexuality.
Intimacy and its benefits to a person’s well-being
Intimacy refers to the close familiarity and the affectionate feeling that exist between a person with another person or a group. An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship which involves emotional and physical intimacy. Emotional intimacy varies in intensity from one time to another and from one person to another. Physical intimacy is distinguished by romantic love, sexual activity, friendship or platonic love (Raymond, 2016).
Intimacy is believed to stimulate the release of the hormone oxytocin that promotes bonding in a relationship. Intimacy promotes security and trust in relationships. It hinders jealousy, revenge-punishment cycle and suspicion leading to health benefits of good sleeping pattern, stamina, and balanced energy (Raymond, 2016).
Intimacy reduces stress, and it protects one from stress related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and ulcerative colitis. It leads to healthier mind-body state since it facilitates greater communication among the neurons in the brain by calming the fear center of the brain. Intimacy helps in minimizing shock, fear and trauma by allowing people cope in a healthy ways rather than indulging in alcohol or drugs since it involves the use of compassion (Raymond, 2016).
Physical intimacy like sex can result in immunity boost leading to better physical health. Intimate relations through sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody known as immunoglobulin A which protects one from colds and other infections. Since sex is a total-body workout, it ends up burning calories. Sexual activities can increase flexibility, boost cardiovascular conditioning, and can also strengthen muscles.
Purpose of abstinence before marriage
Abstinence is the process of self-enforced restraint preventing one from indulging into bodily activities that are widely experienced and described as giving pleasure. Sexual abstinence is the process of refraining from all or some aspects of sexual activity (Kohler et al., 2008).
Promotes Intimacy
Abstinence before marriage improves the level of emotional intimacy between partners since one is saving the sexual experience for marriage. Losing virginity before marriage at times leads to negative psychological impacts, and hence waiting to share the experience with a spouse often reduces those effects (Kohler et al., 2008). It’s important to wait until marriage since one will have built up a certain level of emotional trust with the partner.
Promotes good communication in dating
Sexual abstinence before marriage is essential since it brings about good communication between couples because their focus is on having deeper conversations. Indulging in sex before marriage, especially in dating, overshadows all other forms of communication, and it’s also a way of avoiding all the other work that is involved in emotional intimacy (Kohler et al., 2008).
Increases a range of ways to show affection
Couples who restrain themselves from sex before marriage find new ways to express their affections to each other. Abstinence creates opportunities for the couple to learn each other’s habits and character, and also know how to maintain the relationship making the relationship strong (Kohler et al., 2008).
Essential factors necessary for healthy sexuality
Healthy sexuality refers to having the power and knowledge to express one’s sexuality in the way that would enrich one’s life. Healthy sexuality is free from violence and coercion. It includes sexual relationships and interactions from an informed perspective, one that is consensual and respectful (ASHA, 2016).
Consent
Sexual consent is when one, gives permission or agrees to sexual activities with other persons. For healthy sexuality people in sexual situations have felt that they are in a position to say yes or no or also stop the action at any point since consent is freely given. Consent are physical and verbal cues when one wants things to stop or slow down. For any sexual activity, consent is paramount, and one has to make sure the partner has given full approval because forced or pressured sexual situations can create lasting emotional damage (Jozkowski & Peterson, 2013).
Communication
Communication is another essential factor that can help to determine if one practices healthy sexuality. Partners practicing healthy sexuality have a high level of good communication among themselves. Excellent communication occurs when partners are involved in deep conversations and getting to understand each other better. Poor communication between partners may result into unhealthy sexuality since it may overshadow all form of activities affecting the relationship (Kohler et al., 2008).
Respect
Respect refers to the feeling of admiration toward a person. Sexual respect is a crucial part in any sexual activities, and it attributes to a healthy sexuality. Partners should be able to respect each other, their choices and also their bodies. Lack of respect may lead to coercion in the relationship. Coercion is the practice of forcing one party into activity by use of intimidation or other forms of pressure to do an activity involuntarily (ASHA, 2016).
Steps a couple may take to develop intimate relationship
Emotionally available
For partners to build a more intimate connection, they need to be emotionally available for each other. Emotional unavailability results in withholding intimate details of one’s life which come along with a decreased feeling of value and appreciation. Emotional unavailability can have detrimental effects on both sexual intimacy and emotional intimacy. Partners should prioritize sharing daily details of their lives, and unique feelings and dreams (Maria, 2010).
Supportive
Partners need to be supportive of each other either emotional and physical support, informational, tangible or esteem support. In emotional and physical support, they need to share and listen and also hug and hand holding. Informational support involves them giving general advice to each other (Maria, 2010). Tangible support refers to helping of additional responsibilities and solving problems together.
Finding mutual interest and pursuing them together
Identifying shared interests is vital for a couple to make their relationship strong. Couples may break-up after losing interest in their relationship, which happens when couples grow bored and less close to each other. The shared interests increase the closeness of a couple since they are engaged in pursuing the interests together spending more time together (Maria, 2010).
Laughing together
Laughing is considered contagious since if one hears a laugh the brain automatically wants to get involved in the action. Couples should crack jokes, play to make each other laugh. Laughing will boost their moods and also increase their bonding towards each other (Maria, 2010).
Paying attention
For a couple to be mental, physically and emotionally intimate with each other, they need to pay attention to each other’s actions and also listen to each other (Maria, 2010). Pay attention properly requires the partners to lock everything out, to do list and work stress, and listen to what their partner is saying. Paying attention involves eye contact, silent when the partner is talking, and when talking one needs to be reassuring and courteous.
Conclusion
Sexuality is described above as the central aspect of being human throughout life which encompasses sexual orientation, eroticism, intimacy, pleasure, gender identities and roles, and sex. Sexual health refers to the state of social, mental, emotional and physical well-being about sexuality and while intimacy refers to the close familiarity and the affectionate feeling that exist between a person with another person or a group. For an intimate relationship to exist there must be emotional and physical intimacy.
Abstinence is the process of self-enforced restraint preventing one from indulging into bodily activities that are experienced and described as giving pleasure. Abstinence before marriage is essential since it promotes intimacy between couples, promotes good communication between partners, and also increases the partners’ range of numerous ways of showing affection. For partners to create an intimate relationship they must go through several steps to boost their intimacy, and their relationship.
References
ASHA. (2016). Understanding Sexual Health – American Sexual Health Association. Retrieved November 19, 2016, from http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/sexual-health/Jozkowski, K. N., & Peterson, Z. D. (2013). College students and sexual consent: Unique insights. Journal of sex research, 50(6), 517-523.
Kohler, P. K., Manhart, L. E. 351, & Lafferty, W. E. (2008). Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 42(4), 344-.
Maria, H. T. (2010). 10 Steps to a More Intimate Relationship. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/advice/10-steps-to-a-more-intimate-relationship.htmRaymond, J. (2016). Four Ways Emotional Intimacy Benefits Your Health – Los Angeles Westside Therapy. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from http://losangeleswestsidetherapy.com/2014/08/04/four-ways-emotional-intimacy-benefits-your-health/