With April being Stress Awareness Month, we recently conducted a survey to gather further insight into how stress can impact our sex lives and how masturbation and having sex can help us destress.
The survey found that 85% of respondents feel that self-pleasure helps them de-stress whilst in comparison, only 62% of respondents feel that having sex helps them de-stress. Overall, 89% of respondents feel that stress impacts their sex life.
Our So Divine sexpert, Sex Debbie, shares her insights as to why we may choose masturbation over sex as a way to de-stress,
Masturbation can be a form of relieving stress, or self care, an escape from the mundane and a healthy way to enhance your mood and take some time to yourself after a busy day. Masturbation allows you to take a break from the pressures of life to reconnect with yourself, also you don’t need to depend on anyone else or have a partner, so that takes any pressure off.
Feel good chemicals such as the hormones Dopamine and Oxytocin are released during moments of sexual pleasure. Oxytocin is released when enjoying touch and stimulates dopamine production which encourages us to seek more of this type of pleasure. Orgasm then in turn causes a rush of additional happy hormones which includes more of the super Oxytocin. Consequently these hormones have a big impact on our sexual experiences.
Also, through masturbation we can experience orgasm and when we orgasm, oxytocin is released, which is the brain chemical that makes us experience feelings of happiness. Oxytocin has also been found to calm fears and anxiety and increase our contentment. Not only can orgasms help you sleep better, but they can also boost your immunity, promote bone health, and clear your skin—and that's just a few of their benefits. Not only is oxytocin released but dopamine, which triggers intense feelings of reward and pleasure, serotonin, which helps regulate mood, appetite and sleep, and prolactin which helps make us feel satisfied after orgasm.
Looking at exploring your orgasm through solo or partnered masturbation, try a using a sex toy. Many find sex toys a fun way to explore their body using different sensations. Finding your likes and dislikes through this special journey of exploration can not only increase your personal pleasure but increase satisfaction within your sexual relationships. For those who struggle to orgasm, this can be an added source of stress or anxiety. A sex toy may help to focus intense stimulation to perhaps a preferred area to maybe reach your goal. If rarely reach orgasm in partnered sex. Try mutual masturbation either using a toy or your hand. So you can teach your partner what you like in terms of touch. You are more likely to guarantee not only your pleasure in that moment, as you are in control of it, but perhaps you are then more likely to show your partner what it is you like. Nobody is a mind reaser after all.
Sex toys can make your sex life infinitely more satisfying. For those in relationships sex toys are a great way to add novelty, excitement and passion and If you’re single, sex toys provide a great opportunity to learn about your body and what you like in the bedroom. Also, the majority of people with vulvas need clitoral stimulation to orgasm and that is why a clitoral suction toy with different speeds can make for a great bedroom accessory!
Despite many outdated stereotypes that suggest masturbation is some sad lonely act. Actually it can be seen as the opposite. A celebration of self pleasure. By changing how we experience sexual pleasure, and feeling the release, and mood changes those feel good chemicals from orgasm, arousal and touch. We can see what masturbation and sex toys can do for us. The health benefits both for the mind and the body cannot be ignored.
