You probably already know that casual encounters fun and feels great. But did you know casual sex can be good for you, too? According to recent research, 72 percent of people report having had at least one genuinely positive casual sex experience. That’s a lot of people who are open to hooking and genuinely have a good time when they try it.
Plus, the rise of mobile technology, internet culture, and various social apps mean modern people are more open to mingling with strangers, including within a sexual context. Constant access to sex and intimacy means more people are down to give it a try, and they’re finding out firsthand that it’s a game-changer. Here’s a look at some of the most significant ways casual sex can help you improve your life.
1.     Casual encounters are a huge mood booster.
Naturally, casual sex isn’t for everybody. Some people really are wired for monogamy and commitment, which is more than okay. But if your sociosexual orientation is unrestricted, you may find that casual sex boosts your mood in a way that committed sex simply doesn’t.
For the right people, casual sex can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to meet more people and potentially bond with them on a more intimate level. It also boosts your body’s levels of endorphins and feel-good hormones, like oxytocin. It helps you keep the effects of stress at bay, which is terrific for your ongoing physical and mental health.
2.     Casual encounters don’t have to come with responsibilities.
A committed relationship can be beautiful if it’s the right fit for the two people involved. But if it’s not, even a potentially excellent connection can start to feel like a prison before too long. Casual sex gives those who aren’t ready for a traditional relationship, if they’re interested in committed relationships at all, a healthy alternative to consider.
When people are conditioned to believe you can’t have sex unless you’re in a relationship, they often wind up taking on responsibilities they’re not prepared for. Sooner or later, feelings get hurt, and lives take an unnecessary turn for the worst. On the other hand, going the casual route lets you enjoy the sexual satisfaction you crave without sacrificing your freedom (or anyone else’s).
3.     Casual encounters takes the games out of the equation.
Openly embracing a casual approach to your sex life means you get to enjoy dating again. There’s no longer any need to pretend you’re open to a relationship just to get laid. No one’s feelings wind up hurt over unmet expectations. There’s no drama to worry about. You can just relax and enjoy the process of meeting and connecting with new people for its own sake.
Of course, this isn’t to say that you simply take people home and have your way with them without concern for their feelings. Casual sex lovers still respect one another and look out for each other’s feelings. It’s simply understood that the connection they’re enjoying is about sex and nothing more. And when two people are free to enjoy each other without strings attached, you can truly leave all those damaging mind games in the past where they belong.
4.     Casual encounters gives you a chance to explore your fantasies.
When you have sex within the context of a committed relationship, what’s going on is never just about the sex and enjoying the moment for what it is. This is someone you need to mesh well with in every area of your life, instead of just between the sheets. That can make it hard to be yourself and let loose in bed, especially when it comes to fully exploring your kinks, fetishes, and fantasies.
On the other hand, casual sex can open your world up as far as your sex life. You don’t need to worry about whether the other person will judge your potential as a partner based on something kinky you want to try in bed. You don’t even necessarily need to be 100 percent yourself. And you don’t even need to see the other person again if you don’t want to. That means you can be, do, and try anything you want.
5.     Casual encounters can help you live in the moment.
If there’s one thing more adults could stand to embrace in life, it’s spontaneity. Think back to when you were still young. Do you remember how you lived in the moment and welcomed all those simple opportunities to have a good time and feel a little happier? Adopting a more casual approach to sex can help you learn to recapture that feeling.
When approached responsibly, ethically, and maturely, casual sex can be a terrific way to enjoy one of life’s greatest joys without the risk of regret or remorse. Instead of getting stuck in the notion that every sexual encounter has to mean something more, you can simply enjoy yourself and savor the happiness of connecting to another person without agenda or expectation.
6.     Casual encounters is jet fuel for your confidence.
Who couldn’t do with a little more confidence in life? The world just seems bigger, brighter, and fuller when you’re walking tall and feeling like a rock star. And when approached from the right angle with the correct intentions, casual sex can help you have that feeling more often. Practice makes perfect when it comes to being a great lover and a charming date, and casual sex gives you an opportunity to get that practice.
And you won’t just feel more confident in your dating life, either. You’ll likely find yourself going out on a limb more at work, becoming a better friend, and following your dreams with more enthusiasm, as well. So, what are you waiting for? If you think a casual sex lifestyle is the right fit for you, get out there and embrace it!
