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I have cortisol issues. Sleep helps. Sex is relaxing. So, which is more important? I'm not in realtionship, so times there are sex are random and unpredictable. But, on those nights, I generally get little sleep before having to go to work. Is it better for my body to get my 7-8 hours in of sleep, and be sexually frustrated (which just adds to stress), or not be sexually frustrated and have some sleepless nights here and there?

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sex....why? It confers longevity while sleeping longer than seven hours a night confers shortened longevity. Another little known paleo fact. – The Quilt May 10 2011 at 0:31
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and val......orgasm immediately reduces cortisol. I will tell you that for free. And nipple message is a easy way of doing it because of the oxytocin release too......but not as effective as orgasm. – The Quilt May 10 2011 at 1:07
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Dr. K, do you mean something different by a "nipple message" than a massage? Or is it just your auto correct? Because every time you talk about it the wording is "nipple message" which sounds lovely, but I'm not really sure what message I am sending to my nipples. – sherpamelissa May 10 2011 at 1:19
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sherpa.....all it takes is an erect nipple three to five minutes. Just like a suckling baby does to a mom. Oxytocin is incredible powerful. It confers a hige reduction in breast Ca risk for women too. If you optimize D and do this.....80% rediction in risk. Not one oncologist I know tell this to women? Why? they like selling ribbons and chemo drugs to their victims. And this info needs to be broadcast. – The Quilt May 10 2011 at 2:15
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Although nipple sucking may very well be the best advice given on paleohacks, I highly doubt that randomized trials have been conducted on its health benefits. Thus, there may be many many confounders. Yes, even nipple sucking is not a sure thing. – Kamal May 11 2011 at 2:41
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23 Answers

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i have a three year old and a one year old who wake up at five thirty every. damn. morning.

SLEEP. ill have sex when im dead.

wait, what?

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hahahahaha. love it. – valkyrie May 9 2011 at 21:18
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I bet there are a lot of necrophiles who will be happy to read the above. – Thomas Seay May 9 2011 at 21:22
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.....and therein lies the joke..... – being May 10 2011 at 1:25
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haa! sho nuff is! – being May 11 2011 at 14:10
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I'll have sex with you – Henry S Jul 2 at 0:08
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love yourself. often. now and again get someone else to do it too if they're lucky.

taking yourself to dinner/a movie/the bar and chatting yourself up is wholly optional.

or you could just start seeing someone who prefers to have sex in the afternoon.

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heh, love it. beggars can't be choosers where I live. so finding a little afternoon delight is just asking a lot! – valkyrie May 9 2011 at 15:51
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as an ol' single man - I never have to "look my best" - it's part of my exercise routine -- I'm talking about sleep of course!!!! :) – semirade May 9 2011 at 16:31
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yes, "sleep" is very satisfying, and when you "sleep" with yourself, you don't have to do the "walk of shame" in the morning. – tartare May 9 2011 at 16:45
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Ah I see, I obviously lead a sheltered life :) I also have little experience with wearing party dresses. – Matt May 9 2011 at 18:07
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it's ok. you should try some, I'll bet you have great legs. – tartare May 9 2011 at 18:42
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I would always pick the sex! I can make up the sleep another time. I do okay on less sleep, though, so for me it's a no brainer.

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Somehow Sherpa always gives answers that I like! – Thomas Seay May 9 2011 at 16:06
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Boning always wins. – gone2croatan May 9 2011 at 16:18
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"Boning" - thats should be the offical paleo term for it. – tartare May 9 2011 at 16:40
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what about "porking". it's old school and meat-related :) – luckybastard May 9 2011 at 16:43
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YES! Also, possibly "the beast with two backs" because that sounds vaguely delicious. – tartare May 9 2011 at 16:45
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I am utterly certain that mastrubation is historic and paleo, and a much better choice than watching tv as a way to relax before bedtime.

If you have a partner, friend, or lover who is willing to trade closeness and orgasms, that is even sweeter balm to the soul.

Your love life may vary.

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...TV it is for now. – ROB May 10 2011 at 2:51
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Sleep. I'm single, and I personally don't believe in casual sex - I refuse to put my health in the hands of a stranger.

You have to understand, though, that I'm a loner, and I've never really experienced sexual frustration. I love sex as much as the next person, but I don't feel deprived without it. What works for me probably doesn't work for the average Joe or Jane.

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I want both 50/50... but I will put priorities in this order: Meat, Sex, Running, Sleep

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Weird downvote. I don't know what's wrong with liking meat, sex and running more than sleep? – sherpamelissa May 10 2011 at 1:20
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I've heard the phrase "Sleep when you're dead," but I'm fairly certain that it's illegal to have sex when you're dead.

Ergo, sex.

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why choose? sex is more effective than natural calm...

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Actually Magnesium keeps me up if I have it before sleep (and it's not because of stomach upset either). Also, sex wakes me up, too. I hear about men who fall asleep right after sex, but I am the exact opposite. – Thomas Seay May 9 2011 at 16:27
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that sucks, Thomas. i'm out like a light after either. once i started taking magnesium, my gf always makes the a joke about the "real natural calm" hah. – luckybastard May 9 2011 at 16:29
Don't get me wrong LuckyBastard (I always feel guilty after I write your name), I am happy to go sleepless in the one case (and not so happy when it happens due to Natural Calm). – Thomas Seay May 9 2011 at 17:52
Yes, lucky - sex doesn't often lead to sleep for me. – valkyrie May 9 2011 at 18:19
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Quilt - you had an orgasm in an MRI machine? – Keto-jen Feb 16 2012 at 18:54
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I suspect that if you consistently choose sleep over sex in a relationship, you won't be having much of a relationship for long. Besides, what are you, Sting? It doesn't take that long... :P

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No relationship. Sex doesn't lead to sleep - so.... – valkyrie May 9 2011 at 18:20
Haha - "Tantra baby!" – Fred B May 11 2011 at 3:56
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6 hour ingasm. Sorry, but it sounds boring. I prefer explosive, earth shaking orgasms. Call me old fashioned. – Cody Nov 7 2011 at 14:06
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Sometimes I choose sex in order to sleep!

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I think that is common for men. With the ladies, one doesn't as often cause the other. – valkyrie May 9 2011 at 21:19
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I fall asleep afterwards. :) – Kaz May 9 2011 at 22:21
lucky lady! i do on occasion. – valkyrie May 10 2011 at 0:56
This is one of my go too's.......especially before a surgery day with a difficult case. My wife is more critical to my patients outcomes than they even know. Sex can be on fire. – The Quilt May 10 2011 at 2:25
Valkyrie, if sex ends in an orgasm (which it always does for my lady LOL), then sleep can never be far behind. – Cody Nov 7 2011 at 14:05
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Always sex and orgasm - "la petite mort" (little death) - because when I float back down from my trip to heaven I'll sleep then. Technical Note: You'll be working your lower back, hip flexors, and glutes through their full range of motion, as well as your chest, shoulders, triceps, hamstrings, quadriceps, and abs for umm.. staminia :) Make up for the sleep later.

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Im a mean wife, I chose quick sex so I can get to sleep and still reap the benefits of both :P

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I'm married. More often than not, we choose sleep. (Also have two small children sleeping in our bed) Sex, if AWESOME, can leave you so happy and rejuvenated so you don't need as much sleep, but that's happened, all of, like a handful of times in the past 8 years I've had a sex life... There's a possibility that this happens every time YOU do it, in which case, I'd pick the sex.

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I'm also married, with a 9 year old that likes to sleep with us, as well as 2 dogs and a cat. That's why given the chance for sex, I'll take it! – sherpamelissa May 9 2011 at 16:47
Sara... don't worry it gets better when the children get older! We have twin 15 year old daughters and things have been improving since they were about 12 and not needing us as much. Especially when they started to sleep in on weekends... :) – Kim The Nourishing Cook May 9 2011 at 17:33
this is why I am never marrying again... – amina May 9 2011 at 21:26
Sex must be at the top of the list for paleo and age management......if your sex steroid status rocks you are in prime health. If you have angina below the belt in 8 yrs you'll have angina in your chest. Data......research truth in posting. Have sex for long healthy life. No excuses......at all. – The Quilt May 10 2011 at 2:23
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Not meant as a parenting critique, but I'm not sure I understand the problem of '9 year old that likes to sleep with us'. 9 year olds often like to play video games all day too. That doesn't mean you should let them... When I ran scared to my parents room I was calmed down and sent back to my room. – PaleoPax Jun 2 2011 at 18:59
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I pick sleep, but sex happens regularly. Only reason I pick sleep over sex is that I have a medical condition (endometriosis) that causes sex to be unbearably painful 90% of the time, the other 10% is uncomfortable but bearable.

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endometriosis will get better as you get healthier.....i have had complete reversals with women. Its all about insulin and sex steroid balance. – The Quilt May 10 2011 at 2:24
my endometriosis seems to have gotten worse, regardless of my health so i wish that was the case :\ I think its hormone imbalance, because I have all the symptoms of a woman hitting menopause but I am only 21 and this has only started happening when i got off of my birth control pills about 3 years ago. Its very strange. – lalabomba May 11 2011 at 0:52
Forgive me for wandering into none-of-my-business territory, but that implies only one kind of sex (and mandatory at that??) - do I read that right? There are many ways to have lots of fun and get all the oxytocin you need (I hear that's important). For both people, assuming both are willing of course. – CaveRat May 11 2011 at 15:53
its a bit TMI but oral does nothing for me so there isnt any point in trying to get my rocks off that way, its penetration or I can't go shrugs everyone is different. I still please my hubby, but I personally cannot get release due to the pain. its very frustrating to be honest. I know I dont have to "get off" in order to enjoy myself but I guess I am greedy and i like to "get off", though i don't see whats greedy about that but people tend to think its greedy to want to feel release. – lalabomba May 12 2011 at 2:10
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Oral does nothing for you? Forgive me but it's being done wrong then! – Carly May 12 2011 at 18:22
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Both - but waking up can be a bit of an anti-climax

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I think I saw somewhere a comment that Paleo reduced libido in men. But I can tell you that has NOT happened to me - if anything the reverse. And this is a real problem because sex is pretty much gone from my life.

And I totally regret reading this question because now I'm going to be thinking about it - in detail - for days :-)

Oh, on the sleep thing. Hell I never get enough sleep. What's a little less? Being a guy, rational thinking usually goes out the window the instant there's a whiff of sex to be had. At least that's how I remember it :-)

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I actually might have mentioned "what is libido" - but then I had Prostate cancer - so I don't have libido any more - alas - vascular damage from radiation! ugh! I think paleo was on the late side for me! – semirade May 11 2011 at 1:20
alas indeed, semirade! I'm glad you survived though - not everybody does. When my libido seemed to diminish I had very mixed feelings - glad for less roller coaster of distraction/frustration, but sad for the feeling of some important part of 'me' going away (not that I ever get to DO anything about it though, now that it seems to be coming back just a little). – CaveRat May 11 2011 at 23:30
What's your diet look like.. cause I need to hip to that, with the quickness! – Todd Jul 8 2011 at 5:44
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Hell, I've slept every night for the last 4 years. Guess what I haven't had? Yeah, I've got all the damn sleep I need. No brainer.

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Ooooh, do not tell Dr. K that. – valkyrie May 11 2011 at 2:16
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I'm a "morning person" in this regard. Nothing starts the day off better.

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i know i get much sounder sleep, even if it's much shorter, after a night with my husband.

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I always choose sex over sleep...and she's never awoken once while I was doing it...and the ladies thought they were the only ones who "hover".

Truth.

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Happily married 17 years here. And my choice is sex, baby. Or better yet, both. Have sex, sleep in. The best combination.

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I choose both, because sex right before bed doesn't set back my sleep by more than 30 minutes.

Also there are many other times/places to do it other than right before sleep at night/in bed.

valkyrie, you need to nail down a more structured and relaxing sexual situation, so you can work around your schedule and get the best of both worlds.

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Haha. Um, I could use a more structured and relaxing life in general, I suppose. – valkyrie Jul 4 at 17:35

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