As all early risers know, starting the day early can feel like having the secret key to unlocking new opportunities and possibilities. With a few extra hours, you can make a nourishing breakfast, tackle that errand you’ve been putting off, or simply savor the quiet before the rest of the world wakes up. Add to that the proven benefits of sex—boosting mood, reducing stress, and increasing energy—and it makes sense that morning sex can set the tone for a productive, fulfilling day ahead.
There are a few things to keep in mind, however, that will help you make the most of having sex in those early hours. First off, you’ll want to know exactly what time you need to get out of bed, whether it be to make it to your morning job or arrive on time for your weekend plans, says Donna Oriowo, LICSW, CST, a certified sex and relationship therapist and founder of AnnodRight. If you know how long your morning routine takes and plan accordingly, you’ll feel less stressed and rushed in the moment—and, needless to say, pressure to hurry things along can kill the mood.
Beyond logistics, there are a few hygienic considerations that naturally come with waking up. For instance, some people may prefer their partner to freshen up before initiating intimacy; or, you might prefer to brush your teeth or wash your face to boost your own confidence. “Taking a shower can help you feel better about your body [and] put you in the right mindset,” says Nazanin Moali, PhD, CST, a certified sex therapist and host of the Sexology podcast.
It’s also important to recognize that people’s bodies often need time to adjust in the morning, says Carolanne Marcantonio, LCSW, SIFI, CST, co-creator of Wise Therapy. The early-morning urge to pee, for instance, can interfere with intimacy and your ability to orgasm. “When you have sex at night, your body has had time to settle and release throughout the day. But in the morning, your body is just starting, and it may need to release certain things before you’re ready to go,” she explains.
A few minutes to take care of basic hygiene and bodily functions can lead to a more relaxed and stress-free experience. “Sometimes people want their bodies to behave a certain way and expect morning sex to just work,” Marcantonio says. “But we forget that sex isn’t always seamless—it can be messy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still fun and fulfilling.”
That said, while morning sex can certainly be fun and fulfilling, the benefits of sex aren’t limited to any particular time of day. There isn’t extensive research proving that sex in the morning, afternoon, or night is inherently better for your mood or relationship; rather, it ultimately comes down to individual preferences and what works best for each person or couple. “It’s different for everyone,” Moali says.
But whether you and your partner are early risers or morning owls, morning sex offers plenty of sexual, physical, and mental benefits that can set a positive tone for the day ahead. Here are just a few of them, per experts.
1. It reduces stress, helping you start off the day on the right foot.
Sex can be a natural mood booster, reducing stress and fostering positivity by releasing dopamine and oxytocin, often called the “feel-good” hormones. By having morning sex, you’re basically “starting your day with shots of feel-good hormones in your body,” says Oriowo, which can set a positive tone for the hours ahead. This subsequently helps your ability to handle daily challenges, making it easier to approach the day’s stressors with a calmer mindset.
With an extra dose of these hormones, small annoyances or problems could feel easier to face (maybe you’ll have more patience for your coworker’s loud chewing or the crowded train commute). This doesn’t mean you won’t be faced with any challenges during the day, of course, but they might feel a little less draining. You may still need to decompress at night, but starting your day with sex could make that process shorter and less intense.
For those who dread early mornings or feel overwhelmed by a packed schedule, morning sex can be particularly beneficial. “So many people are waking up with a certain amount of anxiety, but sex can help to relieve that by increasing [their] dopamine levels,” Oriowo says. Research also suggests that this mood boost can have lasting effects, carrying positivity throughout the day even after the sex has ended.
2. It can help with creativity and productivity.
It’s natural for emotions can cloud your judgment when you encounter a struggle or obstacle—and this can make it difficult to focus on effective problem-solving and critical thinking, Oriowo says. “Sex, however, reduces stress and cortisol levels in your body, which can free up the mind to think more clearly and creatively.” (Who knew having sex could improve your work performance?)
Not only can sex help you be more productive throughout the day, but you can also feel more productive, Oriowo says. After all, “you’ve taken time for yourself and can feel accomplished before you even got out of bed,” she says.
3. It can be easier to get aroused.
There are tons of hormonal, medical, and mood-related reasons someone might struggle to feel aroused, physiologically. If you or your partner have struggled to maintain an erection or get wet, you might want to try having sex at a new time of day. Both testosterone and estrogen are at their highest in the morning, which can make it easier for some individuals to get aroused, says Marcantonio. In turn, this can make the experience more enjoyable, exciting, and comfortable, she adds.
4. You might feel more present.
After a long day, you’re likely carrying the baggage of everything that happened earlier—whether that was a stressful day at work or some bad news you received from a friend. But in the morning, your day is more of a fresh slate. You can seize the opportunity to focus on your partner without the weight of the day’s events running through your mind, says Moali.
To further create a mindful, relaxed environment, Moali advises being “intentional with the mood” for morning intimacy by having sex before checking your phone notifications, to cultivate a distraction-free space where both partners give their undivided attention.
5. It can be a good way to prioritize sex.
Life often gets busy, and with demands like putting the kids to bed or managing household responsibilities, sex can easily become an afterthought. Energy levels are typically lower in the evening, meaning sex might feel like less of a priority by the time both partners are home from work, the day’s tasks are done, and your kids are asleep.
However, mornings offer a fresh start—often accompanied by a natural boost in energy that can make the experience more enjoyable for both partners. “When you have sex first thing in the morning, you’re taking advantage of your peak energy and focus,” Moali says.
6. It can help you move throughout the day.
Although there isn’t extensive evidence of this, some studies show that sex and orgasms can help lessen physical pain. Oriowo attributes this to the way sex reduces inflammation in joints, which can make it easier to move throughout the day. However, it’s more than just reducing muscle tension and body aches—sex can also help relieve headaches, too, Moali adds.
7. It serves as a morning workout—and gives you energy!
Much like a morning workout, sex can energize you for the day ahead by “increasing your circulation,” says Oriowo. After all, it’s a physical activity that gets your heart pumping, burns calories, and boosts oxygen flow—just like any other cardio burst that provides energy to kickstart your day.
8. It helps with intimacy and connection.
Morning sex can be a way to connect with your partner before parting ways for the day. Studies show that the release of oxytocin during sexual activity—especially during orgasm—promotes bonding.
But if you wake up and just aren’t in the mood for sex, there are other ways to reap this benefit (as well as many others on this list!). For example, maybe you try cuddling in bed, or partaking in a quick makeout sesh. These activities can release oxytocin, too. “Some people are morning people, some are night people,” Oriowo says. And even if morning sex isn’t your thing, “you can still feel a closeness and connectedness with your partner.”
Meet the experts: Donna Oriowo, LICSW, CST, is a certified sex and relationship therapist and founder of AnnodRight. Nazanin Moali, PhD, CST, is a certified sex therapist and host of the Sexology podcast. Carolanne Marcantonio, LCSW, CST, is a sex therapist and co-creator of Wise Therapy.
Jordana Comiter (she/her) is a freelance writer from South Florida and a graduate of Tulane University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She loves covering all things lifestyle, including dating, entertainment + pop culture, health + wellness, travel, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys group fitness classes, wholesome romance novels, and live music.
