Casual sex can be good for you
Casual sex can be good for you, but it’s not for everybody.
New research, lead by sex researcher Zhana Vrangalova, claims that casual sex is good for you, but it’s not for everybody; it can boost life satisfaction, your self-esteem and lessen anxiety.
Casual sex has always been looked at in a bad light mostly because of inconclusive and mixed results from past studies. Although many single people indulge in casual sex many are hesitant as they fear this might have negative effects in their psychological well-being. Scholars, health professionals have in the past expressed concerns that hooking up might lead to depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
A new study however, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science shows that casual sex can be a good thing for people who are open to it, desire it, and have a positive attitude towards it. Hookups then potentially can be good and beneficial to some people.
Hookups can be harmful or beneficial depending on the individual, interpersonal, and social factors.
Personal aspects such as, motivation, is a powerful thing. When we want something for the right reasons it has a direct positive result on our well-being. However, when we do the exact same thing for the wrong reasons our well being suffers. Which leads us to the next question; what is right and wrong? The answers to these are reflective of our values. Right reason for one night stand would stem from the desire to be with that person, because they are attractive to you, wanting to have fun, wanting to explore and learn about your sexuality.
Wrong reasons are various but some of them would be having one night stand to please someone else, hoping it leads to a long term relationship, too drunk and being coerced into it, are a few wrong reasons that will have a negative impact on your well being.
Next time you have a chance to have casual sex, think about why you’re doing it. If it feels like you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, stop. Your mental health may depend on it.
