• Sweden edition

Good sex makes you better at your job: study

Published: 4 Jun 09 17:12 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/19880/20090604/

A new Swedish study shows that a healthy emotional and sexual relationship can significantly reduce stress at work.

Ann-Christine Andersson Arntén is a psychology doctoral student from the University of Gothenburg. She conducted a five-year-long study on the effects of partner relations on work stress. Andersson Arntén said that people’s home lives can either help alleviate stress at work or push people over the edge.

“Either you come home to something that gives you a possibility to rewind and recover or you have a relationship that makes you more troubled,” she told The Local.

“If that’s the case than you cannot recover, and your whole system physically and mentally will become unbalanced. It will start to become more and more unhealthy and could end up in depression, anxiety, or sleeping problems.”

About 900 male and female participants completed surveys in which they were asked to categorize their relationship in one of three categories: good, average, and bad.

They were then asked to rate whether their relationship had a positive or negative effect on their work life. The results for women were as expected. Women in good relationships had less stress at work, and ones in bad relationships had more work stress. However, the surprise finding was in the men’s group.

“With men we found the average group experienced the most stress-related problems at work,” Andersson Arntén explained.

“When we talked to the men, they said that when it’s in-between, you have to put more effort into it. You keep doing that until the relationship either becomes better or hopeless. When you get to that point, it doesn’t really affect your health anymore.”

The study also found that men were often more interested in the frequency of sex than women, who were more inclined to value the quality of sexual relations.

Andersson Arntén said the survey results also dismiss the myth that men completely separate work life and private life. She said that men are not the only ones who can benefit from the results of the study.

“People should look at the whole picture,” she said. “For employees, there is an interaction between work and family. If the family life is bad, you pay the consequences. You cannot separate the two.”

She also had a few words of advice for people who are struggling in their relationships.

“Sometimes you need a nutmeg of passion, an extra thing to spice things up in the relationship.”

Andersson Arntén will present her dissertation about this study on Friday at the University of Gothenburg. She will also conduct another study in late August to get a better picture of why this study had the unexpected results.

Laura Xiao (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

18:32 June 4, 2009 by eZee.se
"The study also found that men were often more interested in the frequency of sex than women.."

Took a woman 5 years to figure that out--- I could have told you that in two minutes when I was 16 years old.

Also remember ladies, the next time you fake a headache, you will be affecting your man at work the next day... dont get me wrong, faking is ok, but depends on what you are faking :))
20:15 June 4, 2009 by Nemesis
Ok, sounds good.

Problem with men in sweden. They get a few drinks and are not functional. I have given up on dating Swedish men, well in skane anyway. They are incapable of geting romantic unless blind drunk.

Bit of a chicken and the egg problem.
20:21 June 4, 2009 by eZee.se
@Nemesis,

come on over to Stockholm,

you'll dine on chicken and later get your eggs scrambled

:-P
22:03 June 4, 2009 by Deema
So when exactly will we stop validating common sense and start investing in some valuable research? 70? 100 years?

ohh wait, maybe in Sweden men are in desperate need for some excuse to have more sex without having to ask???
22:06 June 4, 2009 by GefleFrequentFlyer
I'll agree with you, as I american guy, I can't help but notice how "retarded" (forgive me for the lack of a better word) the average swedish male gets in the presence of any alcohol in any setting or quantity. Be it social, family, bar, club, sporting event.

God help the swedish women that have to deal with that kind of behavior!

The above story could have some explaination to why single employees are at a career disadvantage to thier married counterparts, en general.
23:19 June 4, 2009 by Kooritze
How about sex while at work? Does that reduce stress at home?
23:48 June 4, 2009 by infinity94
what about to have sex room next ot WC at work place..

each worker, get in during work time... to refresh and continue working...
23:49 June 4, 2009 by taytelbaum
Goodnight Local.se,

drinking is for friends or between friends; so that the conversation doesn't look silly to others, who are irrelevant once you're wobbling on your feet and looking right and left over the shoulders if any one can see you're not there... Stonking drunk is even better when amongst, again, friends, and not in the bedroom. And before you know it, it's the next day and the sun is shining bright.. You can't have both, profound fun and sex... Or the other way 'round.
00:08 June 5, 2009 by Mib
Woo hoo...they find people work better if they have more sex. Guess what....I bet a study will find that people who get job satisfaction (no pun intended) are happier at home.

I mean...these studies are stating the blatantly obvious! Journalism used to be a proud profession, now it just fast food for the bored and short attention span people.
07:17 June 5, 2009 by VikingHumpingWitch
Um, women work too you know.
07:26 June 5, 2009 by J_R
I might be stating the obvious but someone has to do it: why can't it be so that your private life is positively/negatively affected by your job/day at work? Is it really so obvious that it is a one-way arrow where the cause starts in one's private life and the consequences appear at work?

@taytelbaum: of course you can have both profound fun and sex, you just need to be a normal human being that can enjoy himself without needing ridiculous amounts of alcohol to dare to speak to others.
08:07 June 5, 2009 by Renfeh Hguh
No... that is just a rumour spread by feminists
08:30 June 5, 2009 by Mzungu
IMO,15 minutes 'table ending' instead of a cigarette could well help in the promoting of a healthier work environment..

*any thoughts?*
08:34 June 5, 2009 by VikingHumpingWitch
Don't poke the payroll. Ever worked with colleagues who used to be in love? I have, and I hope never to go through it again.
08:56 June 5, 2009 by Xzion
it is classical cycle, stress to no job, no money, no girl, more stress.

how to break this deadlock in this economical crises,

boozing is not solution it helps to forget the problem.
09:57 June 5, 2009 by trickyire
"If that's the case than you cannot recover, and your whole system physically and mentally will become unbalanced. It will start to become more and more unhealthy and could end up in depression, anxiety, or sleeping problems."

****guys proofread your articles carefully. i'm not quite sure if there's a word such as "unbalance" i guess the correct word is "imbalance"... well, just remembering my lessons about prefixes and suffixes. :) no offence editor!
10:15 June 5, 2009 by Jeanette
trickyire - imbalance is a noun, unbalanced is an adjective.
10:29 June 5, 2009 by Janie
I've never had any problem getting romantic with sober Swedish men. Maybe they just need beer goggles to find you attractive?
10:35 June 5, 2009 by 7
good on you to address a generalization about swedish men. poor performance on you to go for a personal attack.
10:51 June 5, 2009 by Benzed
Pish. I haven't had a root for a full calendar month, yet continue to excel in the work environment.
11:16 June 5, 2009 by krzyz21
That definitely tells me that I should not be having a boss who doesn't get laid, very stressful life, spilling over all sub-ordinates..
11:24 June 5, 2009 by Janie
How is that a personal attack? She is the one who says men need to be "blind" drunk before they will get with her.
11:25 June 5, 2009 by xky
I think so,
12:02 June 5, 2009 by mobings
''Good sex makes you better at your job''

Does it apply to guys and lesbians also?
12:24 June 5, 2009 by nawha
MY boss agreed to one minute quickies at the office if it improves company efficiency...so far it is working, no one missing a single day nowadays
12:52 June 5, 2009 by tom.
If having a good job makes you quicker at sex, then I guess that makes me CEO of a huge multi-national corporation
12:53 June 5, 2009 by Benzed
^ Please stick to true, or at least mildly funny anecdotes when posting in future.

(directed at Nawha)
13:00 June 5, 2009 by tom.
Sorry Benzed. You are right.CEO statement retracted.
13:02 June 5, 2009 by tom.
CEO comment reinstated. Hungover - cant read properly
22:29 June 5, 2009 by refugee
U old fashioned … " d u know what comment mean" u are expected to give comment on the report … I noticed that u don't have a capacity to do that as you may fail to read and understand what is written in the report….. Handicap ur .. Go to elementary school….
10:07 June 6, 2009 by Tutu
This type of sex should be in a loving relationship. REad think and grow rich by Hill. cheating sex, adultery sex increases stress. cheating would make one to have bad consciense and hence reduces work performance. the person would have to keep up the double lifestyle with one lie or the other. That can be overwhelming
18:07 June 7, 2009 by Suresh Alvapillai
I think so, as sex reduces stress
21:53 June 9, 2009 by baarryy7
According to my research the peoples who are more social are good in sexual relationship.you will never feel boring till your life with them.

shy people are not enjoyable for this kind of best activities.
22:23 June 11, 2009 by romcath1
You Swedes need to start having babies ---or you won't be swedes much longer. If you locve your nation, have children! Drop the narcissism!

Wake up!
23:39 June 11, 2009 by 7
this week's most random post
23:35 June 14, 2009 by Coalbanks
krrzzy21 _ so you know the solution to that...
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines

"Sjöstedt-effect" boosts Left Party figures

The first poll taken since new Left Party leader Jonas Sjöstedt took over shows that his party has seen a rise to 9.3 percent in the opinion polls, bringing its best result since 2004. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Löfven won’t block profits in care sector

Löfven won’t block profits in care sector

New Social Democrat leader Stefan Löfven has ruled out the possibility of forbidding companies from making profits in the care sector. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

THE LOCAL LIST
Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision

Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision

As Sweden is gearing up for the fest that is the Melodifestivalen, Swedish living rooms are being prepared for Sweden’s greatest television event invading the country for six weeks every year. READ »

Police close entrance to Malmö hospital

Police close entrance to Malmö hospital

Police in Malmö have taken the unusual decision to cordon off the entrance to the accident and emergency department at the Skåne University Hospital following the latest in a rising number of fatal shooting incidents. READ (14 COMMENTS) »

Rough weather causes train chaos in Stockholm

Rough weather causes train chaos in Stockholm

Train chaos swept railways south of central Stockholm on Friday morning, after an overhead line fell onto the tracks between the capital and the country’s south. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Nurse rapped for posting X-ray on Facebook

Nurse rapped for posting X-ray on Facebook

A nurse in south west Sweden has been reprimanded for putting up an X-ray photo of someone's skull on his Facebook page. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Swedes' snap wins 'most awkward ever' family pic

The first prize in a worldwide competition to find the most awkward family photos, recently awarded by a British newspaper, went to a Swedish couple in northern Sweden, whose take on a pregnancy snap has raised a few eyebrows. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

Snow and cold wreak havoc over Sweden

Snow and cold wreak havoc over Sweden

The extreme weather of the last few days is continuing to cause trouble all across Sweden with traffic accidents, heavy snowfall and the coldest temperatures of the year measured countrywide. READ (1 COMMENT) »

More Society

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Blog Update: Brits Mean Business

03 February 14:27

Digital Growth and Flying French Fries »

"When I was a child I had a plan. I wanted to become an inventor. The main invention I was aiming for was to create flying French fries. I thought it would be awfully handy if fried potatoes could just come flying on demand. Flying French fries sound quite imaginative and while we have mastered flying..." READ »

Highlights
Photo: Screenshot YouTube
SOCIETY »
Move over Bugs – a Swedish bunny is rapidly becoming the most popular rabbit in the world!
www.dotoday.se
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
Photo: US embassy in Sweden
OPINION »
US ambassador to Sweden, Mark Brzezinski, speaks to The Local's David Landes about US-Swedish relations and taking Swedish lessons from his two-and-half year old.
AP (File)
OPINION »
Assange extradition appeal win would have 'profound' effects
sheeron/Flickr (File)
SOCIETY »
Swedish cannibal finds vampire love behind bars
Peter Knutson (File)
POLITICS »
Minister: 'Sweden needs the American dream'
Screenshot: YouTube
TRAVEL »
Northern lights over Sweden: a sampler
Lin Backlund
LIFESTYLE »
A Facebook message and a cab driver helped twin sisters separated at birth in Indonesia find each other in Sweden almost 30 years later, The Local's Oliver Gee discovers.
Clas Fröhling
LIFESTYLE »
Sweden’s best male stand-up comedian is a Kiwi from London, contributor Jacob Sundberg discovers.
Västernorrland County
NATIONAL »
Neglected horse had half-metre-long hooves
Ulf Huett Nilsson/imagebank.sweden.se
OPINION »
While Swedes may seem shy, that doesn't mean it's impossible to become friends with your Swedish neighbours, writes US-native and parent Rebecca Ahlfeldt
Photo: Michell Zappa/Flickr (file)
LIFESTYLE »
Tired of navigating the minefield of unspoken rules and social codes in Sweden? Then check out The Local's guide on how to rub Swedes the wrong way.
AP (File)
OPINION »
Have your say: does citizenship really matter?
Photo: Library image
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How to apply to Stockholm University - the easy guide
Photo: ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Photo: Helena Wahlman
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Braving the cold: Ten reasons to spend winter in Sweden
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

fin

adjective

Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

525 jobs available
221 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS