If you are hoping for a pay rise at work, you might have to get busy in the bedroom. Regular sex, it seems, could be the key to earning a healthy wage. Researchers found that people who have sex at least four times a week get paid more than people who do not have as much sex – regardless of education or profession.
And a lack of physical intimacy can have a significant impact on a person’s state of mind, the researchers found. ‘People need to love and be loved (sexually and non-sexually) by others. ‘In the absence of these elements, many people become susceptible to loneliness, social anxiety, and depression that could affect their working life,’ study author Dr Nick Drydakis, an economics lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, told CBSNews.
Dr Drydakis says he decided to study the topic because he believes that people have to meet their basic needs, such as eating, drinking, sleeping and having sex, before they will be able to have successes in other parts of their life. He studied data from 7,500 people aged between 26 and 50. The participants, who included both straight and gay couples, were asked about their health, sexual activity, employment status and earnings. The findings revealed that people who have sex more than four times a week earn five per cent more than those who have sex less than four times a week.
The study also found that people who do not have sex at all earn three per cent less than people who do have sex. The findings held even when factors such as education and profession were taken into account.
The study revealed that even people who have health problems earn more if they have regular sex.
Dr Drydakis, says that he does not know exactly why sex and earnings are linked but he believes that it could be because people who earn well have the disposable income to go on more dates.
Alternatively, it could be because people who earn well are more attractive to potential partners. Dr Drydakis’ final theory is that the reason could be that people who have high wages are better able to buy their partner gifts and that they are rewarded with sex.
‘Sexual activity is a key aspect of personal health and social welfare that influences individuals across their life span,’ Dr Drydakis told CBSNews.