Gay men – or anyone, really – are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, homelessness, and self-harm. It’s important to understand and deal with these issues to maintain good mental health.
Queer media – like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Queer As Folk – might make it seem like gay men have tons of sex all the time. It’s true that many do.
1. It relieves stress
Sexual activity can relieve stress, especially if you engage in safe, consensual kink. Many people have fetishes that help them cope with the stressors of life, and these fetishes can be fun and healthy (if they’re not harmful to others or yourself).
Gay hardcore sex can relieve stress by boosting hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which are both natural mood boosters. It also decreases the levels of adrenaline and cortisol, which are stress hormones that trigger a “fight or flight” response.
It’s important to note that if you’re under any kind of significant stress, it’s best to seek professional help. A doctor or therapist can help you find healthy ways to manage your stress, including through lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques. They can also recommend medical treatment if necessary. It’s also helpful to talk with your partner and other close friends about your feelings, which can help relieve stress and improve communication. 2019 NLM. All Rights Reserved.
2. It relieves anxiety
Anxiety is a normal part of life and most people experience it from time to time. Often, it manifests in physical symptoms such as sweating or trembling and mental symptoms such as excessive worry or racing thoughts. However, if these symptoms occur on a regular basis and interfere with daily functioning, they may be signs of an anxiety disorder.
Luckily, many people have healthy coping mechanisms that can help alleviate anxiety symptoms. For example, exercise and spending time with loved ones are known to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Likewise, sex is a natural stress reliever that triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate mood and promote feelings of happiness and pleasure.
If you are experiencing sexual anxiety that interferes with your life and relationships, it is important to seek out treatment. Therapists specializing in relationship counseling or sex therapy can help. You can find a licensed therapist near you through online therapy platforms like BetterHelp and Talkiatry.
3. It relieves depression
Depression affects many aspects of life, including sex. People that are depressed find it difficult to enjoy things they normally would like to do, which is why sex can be downright painful. A key symptom of depression is anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure. That is why it is so hard to get into sex when you are feeling down, but when you feel up, sex can be a great way to relieve your depression.
Gay men can also suffer from depression and sex can help them to deal with it. It is important for gay men to talk about how they feel with their healthcare providers and mental health professionals. Depression therapy in Fort Lauderdale is available for those who need it. It is vital for people to recognize the signs of depression and seek treatment. The sooner you get the help that you need, the better your chances are of a full recovery from it.
4. It relieves loneliness
For men who are gay, loneliness is a serious issue. Loneliness is associated with depression, anxiety, and body image issues. It can also increase the risk of suicide. In fact, suicide is the number one cause of death for people who are LGBTQ.
Interventions that have been shown to reduce loneliness among LGBTQ people include telephone buddy programs and group counseling. These programs are typically based on the minority stress model, which suggests that sexual minorities are particularly at risk of social isolation and loneliness because of societal domination.
Research has shown that sexual minorities place more importance on peer communication than other social ties for creating a sense of belonging. Therefore, they may be more affected by a shift to remote-only communication with their gay peers than they would by a change in their relationship with other societal ties.