Here, licensed sexologists and functional medicine experts explain the beyond-feel-good benefits of morning sex and tips for making it your preferred morning exercise.

"Our morning actions can set an intention for the whole day," Alexandra Fine, co-founder of Dame Products and licensed sexologist, explains. "You will be choosing to love, to desire each other, to fulfill your bodily needs first thing in the morning."

Another chemical benefit of morning sex? Endorphins, hormones that trigger positive feelings and actually reduce your perception of pain. "It's not uncommon for sex, pleasure, and orgasm to lead to reduced tension and stress...as your body and mind reset after orgasm," says sexologist Jess O'Reilly, Ph.D.

And science backs these claims—research from Harvard Medical School has shown that sex burns about 5 calories per minute. (Even kissing burns calories, FYI.)

Of course, making the shift from evening sex to morning sex might take a little time, but after a few good sessions, it will likely be easier to maintain.

And for men, a 2007 study2 revealed that the increased testosterone present in the morning can lead to a stronger and longer-lasting erection.

In addition to the circulation and DHEA benefits O'Reilly points out, other experts have called sex in general (not just in the morning) the key to looking younger, thanks to its role in releasing oxytocin, beta-endorphins, and other anti-inflammatory molecules.

Is there anyone who couldn't benefit from some stress relief? As you've probably guessed from all the feel-good perks above, sex relieves stress—but we wanted to point out that there's actually research to back this up: According to one 2010 study, pleasure (including the sexual variety) can reduce stress hormone levels in a similar way to eating comfort food. So, not only are you busting stress, you're probably saving yourself a few mac-and-cheese calories in the process.

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Like anything else that's good for your body, making time for a daily dose of morning sex takes a concerted effort, especially if you and your partner work different schedules or if you struggle with waking up in the morning. So, how can you make morning sex happen every day?

Fine says it's vital to communicate the desire for more morning sex to your partner and really engage in a conversation about making time for it. Don't simply initiate one morning and then get disappointed when they don't reciprocate your enthusiasm.

"Most of us aren't spontaneously in the mood—we have to get ourselves aroused and then the desire follows," she says. "You may find that waking up to a two-minute body scan or taking a few minutes to fantasize will increase your odds of getting it on in the morning."

Just like with any kind of sex, there will be times when you're in the mood and your partner isn't. To gauge his or her interest, O'Reilly suggests waking them up with some sexy touching. "Consider waking them up with a sensual massage to gauge interest," she says. "You might also want to keep their favorite lube or toy in your bedside drawer to heighten interest, arousal, and pleasure first thing in the morning."

Even if you'd really love to have morning sex every single day, Fine advises against thinking of that as an explicit goal. There will be days when your partner just isn't feeling it, and that's OK. Plus, Fine adds, thinking of it as a goal to accomplish actually takes some of the fun and romance out of morning sex, and it can set you up for disappointment. "Nothing kills the mood like a goal," she says. "Don't force it."

On days when you are both in the mood for morning sex, O'Reilly says it's important not to feel pressure to go for something long and drawn out. If you want morning sex to be a sustainable routine, it will probably have to become something that's pretty quick, at least during the workweek. "Not everything has to be a marathon," she says. "Sometimes it's just maintenance sex, like an oil change. Get it done."

If your "woke up like this" look isn't one that you totally love, or if you're painfully self-conscious about your morning breath, that's OK. You don't have to fake sexy confidence. "If you feel self-conscious in the morning, keep a few sleep masks to use as blindfolds, or do it under the covers," O'Reilly says. "Grab a glass of water or keep mints by the bed if you're worried about morning breath."

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Morning sex is definitely worth exploring if it suits you—the boost of chemicals like oxytocin released during sex can help you start your day feeling good.