Afterglow is the lingering feeling of happiness, well-being and sexual satisfaction following sex. Studies show that this post-sex rush of good feelings really does linger, even up to 48 hours. In other words, the afterglow from one sexual experience can last up to two days. The study followed 215 newlywed couples and found that the ones who felt stronger afterglow were more satisfied with their marriage overall than those who  experienced low afterglow. Dr. Andrea Meltzer, who conducted the study, says that the study of afterglow “is important because it joins other research suggesting that sex functions to keep couples pair bonded.” According to clinical psychologist Shannon Kolakowski “what creates the afterglow is in part due to the positive circumstances that led to having sex, such as feelings of love and connection, having a good time together, having desire for your partner and feeling desired. What sustains the afterglow is the sex act itself, the release of bonding chemicals in the body as well as having a shared experience to remember and enjoy, which fortifies these good feelings.”

Want to keep the afterglow going?

“Do what you would do with any emotion you wish to foster,” says Kolakowski. “Notice the afterglow, and embrace it. Replay in your mind scenes that made you feel particularly bonded, or close to your partner. And try to create more opportunities in your relationship for those times to happen.”