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Connection Between Sex and Mental Health

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There is a deep connection between sex and mental health and why it’s not just about the orgasm sex isn’t just a physical act.

It’s tangled up with our emotions, our self-worth, and even our mental well-being. Whether you’re having it regularly, not at all, or somewhere in between, sex (or the lack of it) plays a bigger role in your mental health than you might think.  

 

1. Sex as a Mood Booster (Thanks to  Science!)

  

Ever noticed how a good romp in the sheets can make stress melt away? That’s not just in your head, literally. Sex releases a cocktail of feel-good chemicals:  

 

– Oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) promotes bonding and reduces anxiety. 

 

– Endorphins act like natural painkillers and stress relievers. 

 

– Dopamine gives you that euphoric, “I’m on top of the world” feeling.  

 

It’s like nature’s antidepressant, no prescription needed. But here’s the catch: it only works when the sex is good and consensual. Bad or forced sex? That can do the exact opposite.  

Some feeling good about Sex

2. When Sex is Missing: The Frustration Factor  

 

Dry spells happen, life gets busy, relationships hit rough patches, or maybe you’re just not feeling it. But when sex disappears for too long, it can mess with your head:  

 

– Self-esteem takes a hit (“Am I unattractive?”)  

 

– Anxiety creeps in (“Is something wrong with me?”)  

 

– Resentment builds (especially in relationships where one person wants it more)  

 

It’s not just about “getting some.” It’s about feeling desired, connected, and alive.  

Someone Missing Sex

3. Bad Sex vs. Good Sex: The Mental Health Divide

 

Not all sex is created equal. Great sex can make you feel invincible. Bad sex (or worse, obligation sex) can leave you feeling empty, used, or even ashamed.  

 

– Good sex = mutual pleasure, communication, presence.  

– Bad sex = performance pressure, disconnection, regret.  

 

If sex leaves you feeling worse afterward, it’s worth asking why. Are you doing it for yourself, or for someone else’s approval?  

Someone thinking about a bad sex moment

 

4. The Dark Side: When Sex Hurts Instead of Heals 

 

For some, sex isn’t a happy topic. Trauma, dysfunction, or past abuse can turn intimacy into a minefield. If sex triggers anxiety, shame, or panic, therapy (especially with a sex-positive counselor) can help rebuild a healthier relationship with it.  

 

5. What If You’re Just Not Into It?

 

And that’s completely okay. Asexuality, low libido (thanks to stress!), or just personal preference, you don’t need sex to be mentally healthy. What matters is honesty with yourself and your partner(s).  

Someone not needing Sex

Read Also: Sex and Relationships: Effective Ways to Deliver Criticism to Your Partner Without Causing Conflict

 

Sex is Mental, Not Just Physical, your brain is your biggest sex organ. If your mental health is struggling, your sex life will reflect that. And if your sex life is off, your mood will too. The key? Don’t ignore it. 

Talk about it, explore it, and above all make sure it’s serving you, not hurting you.  

 

So… how’s your relationship with sex these days? (No judgment here.)  

 

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Lifestyle

5 Beaches in Lagos for Your Next Staycation

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Photo: Instagram/@sunnyside.beach

A beach break does not always mean leaving Lagos. Residents looking for a change of scenery can find several coastal spots around Lekki, Ajah and Sangotedo for a day out or a weekend break. From Ziba Beach Resort’s overwater accommodation to Nautica’s mix of recreation and beachfront stays, and beach clubs such as KYMA and Kivu, these five locations offer different ways to enjoy a local getaway.

Ziba Beach Phase 3

Photo: zibabeachresorts.com

Ziba Beach Resort in Okun Ajah unveiled Phase 3 on September 11, 2026, with larger Grand Overwater Rooms, loft-style overwater accommodation and a dedicated wellness centre. The resort also has beach-facing rooms and suites, family rooms, a two-bedroom apartment and other overwater rooms for guests planning an overnight stay.

Facilities at the resort include a lagoon pool, adult and children’s pools, a games room, cinema, spa, gym, restaurant and bar. Ziba also lists activities such as beach picnics, beachside dining and dinners. Some packages have included quad biking, horse riding and massage treatments.

Nautica Beach Resort

Photo: nauticabeachresort.com

Nautica Beach Resort is located in Lekki and describes itself as an in-city leisure and lifestyle destination. It combines beach access with recreation, dining, entertainment, wellness and sports. Activities listed on its website include quad biking, paintball, volleyball, football, snooker and VR gaming.

For visitors who want to stay longer, Nautica offers beachfront accommodation, including private beach chalets and apartments. Its website says guests can buy beach access and pre-book activities through the Orbit Lifestyle App. The resort also hosts events and entertainment for visitors who want to spend more time at the location.

Sunny Side Beach

Photo: Instagram/@sunnyside.beach

Sunny Side Beach is located at Mopo Onijebu, off Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie Road in Sangotedo. Current listings describe it as a bar and grill, beach club and leisure spot. It is more suited to visitors looking for a beach outing with food and drinks than a conventional hotel-style stay.

The location’s current listings show afternoon-to-evening operating hours on its open days. This makes it an option for visitors who want to spend part of the day by the coast before heading home. For a Lagos staycation, it is better presented as a local beach outing, while claims about overnight accommodation should be avoided unless confirmed directly with the business.

KYMA Beach

Photo: kymabeach.com

KYMA Beach is located at Elegushi Private Beach in Ikate, Lekki. It operates as a beachfront club with private cabanas, dining and spaces for private events. Its signature restaurant, LYA, is open to both members and non-members by reservation, allowing visitors to combine a beach outing with a restaurant visit.

KYMA also accepts non-members through day passes, which provide access to the beach, restaurant and selected facilities. Its official website lists public access from Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays closed. This makes it an option for people who want to spend the day at the beach without booking an overnight stay.

Kivu Beach

Photo: kivubeachclub.com

Kivu Beach is located at Oba Elegushi Beach in Lekki Phase I and is listed as a beach club and dining destination. Its location places it within one of Lagos’ coastal leisure areas, giving residents another option for a day by the water without travelling outside the city. Current listings describe Kivu as a casual dining restaurant serving international cuisine.

Kivu is better presented as a beach and dining option than an accommodation-focused resort. Visitors should confirm current access arrangements, opening times and charges with the venue before setting out, as these details can change.

For Lagos residents, a staycation can be as simple as choosing a coastal spot for a day or booking a resort for a longer break. Ziba and Nautica have accommodation options for visitors planning to stay overnight, while Sunny Side, KYMA and Kivu are more suited to beach outings, dining and leisure. The choice depends on whether the plan is a weekend away, a few activities, a meal by the beach or some time by the water.

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Ugo Ugochukwu Makes History With 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship Win

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Photo: Instagram/@fiaf3

Ugo Ugochukwu has won the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship, becoming the first American driver to claim the title in the current FIA Formula 3 Championship.

The 19-year-old secured the championship on Sunday, September 13, at the Madring circuit in Madrid. Driving for Campos Racing, Ugochukwu finished second in the second Feature Race behind MP Motorsport’s Tuukka Taponen. Freddie Slater, his main title rival, finished eighth for Trident.

Photo: Instagram/@fiaf3

The result put Ugochukwu on 159 points for the season, 14 points ahead of Slater, who finished second with 145. Taponen’s victory also moved him into third place in the final Drivers’ Championship standings with 109 points.

Ugochukwu’s title came in his second FIA Formula 3 season. He won the opening Feature Race in Melbourne, Australia, before taking another victory in the Silverstone Sprint Race. He also finished on the podium in Catalonia, at the Red Bull Ring, in Hungary and in Madrid.

Ugochukwu arrived in Madrid 15 points behind Slater. After the weekend’s earlier races, the pair were level on 141 points going into the final Feature Race. Ugochukwu started the race from second on the grid, while Slater started eighth. Ugochukwu held second to the finish, while Slater remained eighth, giving Ugochukwu enough points to take the championship.

Photo: Instagram/@fiaf3

Ugochukwu is the son of Nigerian fashion model Oluchi Onweagba. Born in New York, he moved from karting into single-seater racing in 2022, competing in British F4. He won the Euro 4 Championship in 2023 and the Macau Grand Prix in 2024.

He joined the FIA Formula 3 grid with PREMA Racing in 2025, finishing 16th in the championship and recording two podiums. He switched to Campos Racing for 2026 and began the year by winning the Formula Regional Oceania trophy.

He now joins former FIA Formula 3 champions including Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto, who have gone on to compete in Formula One.

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Lifestyle

Angélique Kidjo Makes History With Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

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Photo: Getty images

Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician and first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a significant moment for the Beninese singer whose career has taken African music to audiences around the world.

The five-time Grammy Award winner received the honour on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, during a ceremony in Los Angeles. Her star, the 2,854th on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was placed in the Recording category at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard.

Photo: Getty images

Kidjo was among the names selected for the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026. The selection was announced in July 2025, with the Beninese singer included alongside several prominent figures from music, film, television and other areas of entertainment.

x.com/@MadamAfrika

The ceremony brought together several notable figures, including Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold and actor Djimon Hounsou were also reported to be among those who attended the occasion.

For Kidjo, the recognition is tied closely to where she comes from and the music she has carried across borders throughout her career. During her speech, she reflected on Africa’s contribution to music and the influence of the continent’s culture on sounds heard around the world.

“We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world. Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet,” she said during the ceremony.

The 66-year-old singer has spent more than four decades in music, building a career that extends beyond recording and live performances. She has released numerous albums, worked with international artists and used her public platform to support social and humanitarian causes. Her collaborations have included musicians such as Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, John Legend, Bono, Yo-Yo Ma and Burna Boy.

Photo: Getty images

Her Grammy history is another major part of that career. Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards, adding to a list of international honours that have established her as one of the most recognised African musicians working on the global stage.

The Hollywood recognition also came with a special declaration. August 18 was officially recognised as Angélique Kidjo Day in Hollywood, adding another distinction to the occasion.

The significance of the star goes beyond the name engraved on the famous boulevard. Kidjo’s achievement places a Beninese musician at a landmark that has long been associated with some of the biggest names in international entertainment. For African music, it is another visible acknowledgement of the artists who have carried sounds, languages and traditions from the continent into wider global audiences.

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