Scientists from Oregon State University found an interesting correlation in their study: workers who spent a night in intimate caresses coped more successfully with their tasks the next day compared to their colleagues. According to the study, lovers experience greater job satisfaction, which improves their perception of work-life balance. The scientists came to these and other conclusions by studying in fine detail the quality of work and the sexual habits of 159 bonded employees of an anonymous company. Employees who reported having sex with their partner had statistically significant increases in the volume and quality of work performed the next day, felt happier at work, and engaged in work more fully, with far fewer distractions and alarm. This suggests, psychologists believe, that a healthy sex life helps workers perform better at their jobs, which benefits both themselves and the organizations they work for. NEWS_MORE_BOX Some developed countries have long been familiar with this dependency. In Sweden, for example, a city council is offering civil servants one hour off work a week to have sex. They can use their time whenever they want, before or after work, and an apology note is not necessary. The increased performance and satisfaction lasts for up to 24 hours after sexual contact, thanks to the cocktail of neurochemicals and hormones that are released in the brain and affect its reward centers. Epinephrine, monocannabinoids, dopamine, oxytocin and other “happiness molecules” take precedence over neural activity and lead to calming and relaxing the body and mind. In the opposite case, when there is no time for sexual intercourse due to too much busyness or fatigue after work, workers experience increased levels of stress. It is both psycho-emotional and physiological – stress chemicals such as cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine accumulate in the body, which lead to nervousness, anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and even – lowered immune defenses. All this affects the workers and their ability to work is significantly reduced.