Self care is often brought up in the world today. Are we taking care of ourselves? Eating properly? Sleeping? Meditating, being mindful, stressing less.
Would it surprise you to hear that Masturbating is another important aspect of our self care! There are many benefits to masturbating that I intend to outline below.
Masturbating and sex releases a range of neuro chemicals into our brains and our bodies, making us happier.
Dopamine is a chemical that is released to give a “feel good” boost. Dopamine is also great for blood flow, digestion, executive functioning, heart and kidney function, memory and focus, mood and emotions, motor control, pain processing, pancreatic function and insulin regulation, pleasure and reward seeking behavior, sleep, stress response
Endorphins– endorphins are a chemical released that assists with stress relief and combating pain.
Prolactin is a chemical that allows us to feel satisfaction.
Prolactin is a chemical that allows us to feel satisfaction.
Oxytocin- this amazing chemical helps balance out cortisol which is a stress hormone.
Serotonin – This wonderful chemical also plays a part in leaving you happy, calm and helps to regulate mood.
Essentially, by boosting your orgasms and neurochemicals as an effect of masturbation- you boost your mood. That is some very important self care.
Due to the effect that the neuro-chemicals have on us it is no wonder that masturbating and experiencing an orgasm help to reduce stress and frustration. Even without orgasm, drawing attention to your body during masturbation can be known to push any external stressors in your mind out so that you can simply focus on the sensations of your pleasure.Masturbation can also help with focus. The chemicals released can help create a calm and focused state of being and has been known to improve productivity in real life.Struggling to sleep? Masturbating is a form of exercise, utilizing muscles, focus and brain power. After an orgasm the parasympathetic nerves begin to relax and calms the body, assisting in restlessness and sleep and some studies have shown that it can improve sleep quality as well.During masturbation our blood pumps fasting, traveling the body and heating us up. Increase in blood flow has been shown to have many benefits for the body and also for our immunity. This doesn’t mean that Masturbating can kick the common cold in the butt, but ongoing masturbation can help positively promote good immune health. Increased blood flow is good for your heart health and taking steps to keeping your heart healthy. good blood flow has also been shown to have an affect on our skin, the more blood pumping, the better the benefits for our skin health.For CIS men; masturbation assists in many ways. Regular masturbation has been shown to have a positive effect on the prostate and in some cases, decrease the likelihood of prostate cancer. Masturbating and orgasm flushes out the internal tubing, keeping the tubes cleaner and in better working order. Masturbating has also shown to assist in building harder erections over time and also prolonging orgasm. To prolong orgasms, experiment with “edging” a technique where you bring yourself close to orgasm before slowing down, or backing off, before edging again. Over time, this edging effect will build the ability to last longer.For Cis women masturbation can assist with preventing urinary tract infections and cervical infections. Because of the wonderful endorphins that are released as well as the overall effect orgasm have on the pelvic floor, masturbation can assist with both preventing and helping reduce period pain and cramping.For everyone, masturbation is great exercise for your pelvic floor. This is helpful for all kinds of things, it means that your anatomy will keep shape, be stronger and age better as you grow.The last but certainly not least benefit is knowing your own body. Knowing your own pleasure, your turn ons and what you don’t like. This can be used alone or with a partner but it helps you to be more aware of your own body, and really isn’t that what self care is all about?
(Note: Cis refers to people who at birth are categorized as male or female in relation to their anatomy)
Couples Sex Toys
Having worked in an Adult store for some time now, we get asked numerous “interesting questions” on a daily basis. One of the most frequent questions wold possibly be what is out there for couples?
Well let me tell you the possibilities are endless, with a huge range of toys that include the use or remotes, WiFi, downloading an AP to VR. We-vibe has a full range of toys that make use of a remote and the AP, these toys allow the couple to share in the pleasure from anywhere in the world, from vibrators (the Rave and Nova), to smaller couples toys like the sync and chorus (these toys can actually be used during sex as well). The we-Vibe range also include but plugs for both sexes and a wide range of small vibes for use on the clitoris.
Other brands like NU Sensuelle and Frederic’s of Hollywood also make internal eggs as well as panty vibes that can be controlled remotely. The NU range of toys have a great strong vibrating and as apposed to most other brands out there , most of their toys are completely submersible, and this makes for great couples play in the shower or bath.
Some other options are the more expensive but very much worth it Kiiroo range of couples toys. The most populat would be the couples set that includes a g-spot vibrator for her and a masturbator or stroker for him, these toys can be paired using Bluetooth or by downloading the AP, this way the toys are able to control each other (again from anywhere in the world).
Don’t forget about the Fleshlight stroker, this seemingly singles only toy has a great spot in the bedroom for couples, it is great for use during foreplay or even if you guys were thinking about a threesome (but the other party is not really up for it as yet).
To be honest with you, I cant think of a toy or a range of toys that are not suitable for couples play, from the entry level to the more extreme (like sex machines), there is a place for all toys in the couples bedroom.
All toys mentioned above are available online at www.adultsmart.com.au or in store at all 3 OH Zone sites in Kogarah, Caringbah or Penrith.
The sales consultants at Oh Zone love to help their valued customers whether it be in the shop or online with great advice and a caring attitude. The sex positive team generously contribute to our blog but wish their identities to remain anonymous.