Not too long ago, masturbation was rarely discussed and considered taboo (especially for people with vulvas). Fortunately, society has moved forward and we’re able to recognise that self pleasure is normal and fun, and there are actually many health benefits of masturbation. Health professionals agree that regular masturbation can be beneficial for you both mentally and physically, and is the safest form of sex.
The VUSH team has decided to explore the health benefits of masturbation, along with sharing tips and suggestions for ways to make masturbation a daily reality for our readers.
What is Masturbation?
Before we get started, it is a good idea to clearly understand what we’re talking about when we say ‘masturbation’. Simply put, masturbation refers to the stimulation of the genitals for sexual pleasure. However, this also extends to other body parts and erogenous zones, such as the nipples, breasts, anus, and perineum. There are many different ways to touch your body and feel pleasure!
Sex and masturbation often (but not always) ends in orgasm — a pleasurable release of sexual tension. When you experience an orgasm, your body releases chemicals and hormones that make you feel good. This sensation contributes to a variety of health and lifestyle advantages that can improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
Pretty straightforward, right? Well, there are many ways to experiment with regular masturbation, from using toys to engaging with a partner to enjoy an array of health benefits. Read about exactly how to masturbate or how to choose your first sex toy on our blog.
The Benefits of Masturbation
There are several health benefits of masturbation. From enhancing lifestyle factors to producing chemicals in the body, regular masturbation is a surefire way to change the way you feel in your body. Whether it is reducing stress or boosting self-esteem, the benefits of frequent masturbation enhance any self-care routine.
With everything from masturbating benefits to mutual masturbation, here are 8 advantages you can enjoy from regular self-pleasure sessions:
1. Reduces Stress
Stress is an all-too-common part of life, so why not take a little time throughout the day to focus on you? Orgasm releases chemicals, including dopamine and endorphins, which make you feel good and boost your sense of wellbeing. It also offers a period of relaxation and mindfulness, where you can block out worldly distractions and focus on your own needs. Masturbation is meditation!
2. Improves Sleep
If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep and looking for a natural remedy, why not try embracing the health benefits of masturbation? Doing so lowers your blood pressure, and the hit of chemicals will work to help you fall asleep in no time. There’s nothing quite like a warm and cosy post-orgasm slumber.
3. Relaxes Sexual Tension
Sexual frustration is something we all feel from time to time, but luckily, this can be reduced (no excuse of “blue balls” allowed). What better way to release all that sexual tension than by engaging in a sensual date night with yourself? Try lighting some candles or even having a bath before experimenting with different techniques, angles, and sensations to achieve your full capacity of pleasure.
4. Improves Self-Esteem
One of the many benefits of masturbation is getting to know yourself on a whole new level. Exploring your body through regular masturbation can help you become more aware of your individual physical and emotional needs. As a result, this can help to improve your self-esteem and body image, allowing you to become even more comfortable in your skin and confident in your body.
5. Relieves Menstrual Cramps
When it comes to masturbating benefits, this one should be at the top of the list. Masturbation helps to increase the blood flow to the pelvic region, which can work to ease the pain of cramps and back aches. The clenching and releasing of the vaginal muscles can also help to alleviate pain. Just make sure you masturbate for at least 5 minutes to feel the full effect!
6. Strengthens Pelvic Muscles
Following on from those muscles we mentioned earlier, believe it or not, masturbating triggers a range of muscle contractions that can act as a mini-workout routine for your pelvic muscles. As these muscles are crucial for lifelong health and wellness, using masturbation to help prevent pelvic floor weakness is a fantastic incentive to masturbate regularly.
7. Relieves Pain
Like the way masturbation can help to relieve menstrual cramps, regular masturbation can also help to ease pains like headaches or muscle pain. One of the benefits of masturbation is introducing feel-good hormones into the body, which has been suggested to increase an individual’s pain tolerance. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers!
8. Improves Cognitive Function
Studies have suggested that people who masturbate and have sex more frequently experience improved cognitive function. In particular, masturbating in the morning can lead to increased energy and productiveness throughout the day, relating to heightened cognitive functioning.
What to Use When Masturbating
Masturbation is a personal thing. To find out what you like, you can experiment with fingers and toys. Exploring different angles, materials, sensations, pressure, positions, and more. Make sure to use at least some, if not all, of the 5 bodily senses to access your full pleasure potential — touch (obviously), sound, sight, smell, and taste.
You have all the tools you need just within your body and your mind (the brain is the most important sexual organ), however, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra helping hand. VUSH vibrators offer an exciting way to explore everything from the benefits of masturbation to mutual masturbation. You can easily discover the best fit for your pleasure with various designs, from a beginner-friendly bullet vibrator, or a toy that mimics penetrative sex like a rabbit vibrator.
How Often Should You Masturbate?
This all depends on your personal preference. For some, regular masturbation means masturbating daily. For others, this might mean once a week or month. There is no right or wrong answer. The only goal is to feel good and see the benefits of masturbating on a regular basis! The quality of your self pleasure sessions is more important than how often you masturbate.
When Should You Masturbate?
Are you a morning person or a night owl? Depending on your personal preferences, finding any time of the day to enjoy the benefits of masturbation is a win. If you are unsure what you would want, many people find that the benefits of masturbating in the morning keep them energised and in a happier mood for the day ahead. Alternatively, the benefits of regular masturbation in the evening can help to ensure a good night’s sleep so that you can feel relaxed and well-rested. Some people go for a mid-day maz while the sun is shining to keep them going throughout the day.
Read More on Stimulation
For more information on how to experience the benefits of masturbation and take stimulation to the next level, check out any of our VUSH articles on using bullet vibrators, rabbit vibrators, and more! From learning how to use sex toys with a partner to better understanding clitoral anatomy, we’ve got you covered!
You can even get in touch with our VUSH babes to learn more about our incredible sexual wellness products!
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