10 Expert-Approved Reasons To Have Morning Sex

When it comes to having morning sex, the early bird catches the... I'm not even going to finish that one. We'll stick with this: It’s time to rise and bang. There's much more than double-shot espressos and yoga routines waiting on the other end of an early wake-up call. Morning sex has so many perks, you'll forget why it was ever tempting to hit snooze.

Even though there are so many reasons to have sex in the morning, it makes sense that this part of your life is reserved for the night. Sex often happens when you and your partner are cuddling in bed, or after you get dinner with someone you met on Hinge. When the world is dark — and you’ve been building up tension all day — it’s easy to be in the mood.

At the same time, hooking up right before you fall asleep can leave something to be desired. You might be tired, mentally drained from a busy day, or just not feeling the creativity and cardio required to get each other off. Compare that to the morning, when you’re freshly rested — oh, and already between the sheets — and you can start to see why a bright and early bang comes with a plethora of perks.

There are also quite a few science-backed reasons to have morning sex, according to relationship experts. Here, they share the 10 reasons why it needs to be back at the top of your priority list.

1. You’ll Have More Energy

To start with the obvious, having sex in the morning means getting it on when you’re at your most well-rested. After logging a full eight hours of sleep, you should have plenty of pep to give each other your all.

If you’re typically low-energy, Leigh Norén, MSc, a sex and relationship therapist, says morning sex can be your ticket to having sex more often, too. “The mornings provide a natural time where you might not be so easily disturbed, making it extra appealing,” she says.

That said, morning sex is also known for being slower and less acrobatic than the steamy, passionate kind you have at night. “It can feel cozier and snugglier because you're both a bit sleepy and you're trying not to exert yourself too much — at least to begin with,” she says. Leaning into that vibe can be fun.

2. It’s Easier To Initiate

It’s notoriously tricky to announce your needs to your partner, even if you’ve been together for ages. It might feel awkward to sidle up to them and say you’re in the mood, and even more awkward to send a steamy text, but with morning sex, you get to skip all that.

“It can feel like an easier way to initiate because it's a bit of a no-brainer,” says Norén. “You're both lying there, it's warm under the covers, and perhaps you're already snuggling.” Sometimes, all it takes is a look, a quick kiss, or a sexy spoon.

3. It Puts You In A Good Mood

The rosy afterglow from sex is often wasted because you go right to sleep. In the morning, you get to take it with you into the day.

“All the endorphins and dopamine released during sex put you in a good mood, and act as a bit of a natural energy booster,” Norén says. “It can make you feel more confident when you've started the day on a literal high from pleasure and feeling desired by your partner.”

Add in shiny skin and perfectly tousled hair, and you’ve got a real win.

4. It Makes You More Productive

Have a lot to do in the hours ahead? Morning sex could be equivalent to a cup of coffee. According to Norén, a quick romp in the a.m. can even help you perform better at work, almost like a natural productivity booster.

A 2017 study from the University of Washington and the University of Oregon found that those who had sex after work — which could totally include the morning — reported a more positive mood the next day, and it often led to more sustained work engagement and job satisfaction. The boost lasted 24 hours and was equally strong for women and men.

5. Morning Sex Boosts Libido

According to Norén, morning sex can also be an easy way to bypass low libido, which is something that holds many couples back from getting it on as often as they’d like.

“When we've just woken up, we're less likely to be stressed and anxious — known libido and pleasure-killers,” she says. Instead of checking your email and stressing out, have morning sex. It should be easier to feel desire in the early hours of the morning, she says, with sex being the next step. “You're also already lying there in bed together in various states of undress.”

Morning grogginess could play a part, too. Instead of worrying about your hair or what you look like from a certain angle, being in a half-sleepy state could inspire you to just go for it and have a good time — all without overthinking.

Nari Jeter, Ph.D., LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist, says many men experience a stronger erection in the morning, which can remove “readiness barriers” if getting aroused later in the day is an issue.

6. It Helps You Get Out Of A Rut

For many, morning sex feels more “low stakes” than sex that happens at night, and that’s why it could be a way to ease back into your sex life after it’s been a while. It feels less like a giant step, Norén says, unlike date night, which often feels like it should lead to sex.

If you’re in a dry spell with your partner, possibly because hooking up feels overwhelming or a lot like hard work, morning sex could be a natural, low-pressure way to ease back in.

Having sex first thing also means checking it off your to-do list first thing — before life gets in the way. While it’s not the sexiest approach, Jeter says many couples say that sex is harder to have later in the day. “There's always that mentality of, ‘Oh, we can try again tomorrow night.’ But, I've often seen couples get stuck in ruts of saying that, and weeks or even months go by with no intimacy.” Morning sex helps you avoid that.

7. It Replaces Your Morning Workout

Forget waking up for a 5 a.m. spin class. According to Sofie Roos, a sexologist and couples therapist, sex definitely can count as a workout, especially if it lasts a while and gets your heart rate up.

If you get it on for five to 15 minutes, it’s equivalent to walking a mile in 20 minutes. While it won’t replace true cardio, it’s still good for your heart.

8. It Boosts Confidence

One thing about morning sex is that it tends to go down in natural lighting. And according to Dr. Yael Rosenstock Gonzalez, a sexologist and founder of Sex Positive You, that can help boost your self-esteem.

It’s tough to hide your body when the sun is streaming in, but that can actually be a good thing. “The more time we spend with our bodies, the easier it becomes to accept them,” she says. “Both you and your partner will see details that might be obscured if you are having lights-off nighttime sex.”

9. It Improves Your Bond

“My favorite thing about morning sex is the idea of starting the day off with something positive, playful, and connecting,” Jeter says, adding that it can do wonders for your relationship.

“I suggest scheduling morning sex — picking a day or two a week where it is agreed upon and prioritized,” she says. “Maybe it's a day where both partners can get a late start to the office or push meetings to mid-morning. Scheduling morning sex can be just as fun as planning a date — and can have some fun build-up and anticipation!”

10. It’s Often More Fun

Morning sex is also no-frills sex — and that’s what makes it so fun. “It's pre-shower sex, pre-teeth brushing sex, hair all a mess, and no makeup sex,” Rosenstock Gonzalez says. “Morning sex can force us to release some of the performativity that sex at other times of day sometimes allows. By being more exposed, we also give ourselves the opportunity to up to deeper authenticity and vulnerability.”

Sources:

Leigh Norén, MSc, sex and relationship therapist

Nari Jeter, Ph.D., LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist

Sofie Roos, sexologist and couples therapist with Passionrad

Dr. Yael Rosenstock Gonzalez, sexologist and founder of Sex Positive You

Additional reportiny by Carolyn Steber.