Get Excited About Getting Off: 5 Reasons Why Masturbation Is Good For You

They say April showers bring May flowers, but now that Masturbation May is upon us, flowers aren’t the only things that will be coming! 

While International Masturbation Month probably isn’t the sort of event you’ll see highlighted as a key date on most calendars, society is making slow (but sure) strides to adopt a more positive attitude towards self-love and sex. Masturbation May began as a form of social activism in the mid-90s and has now evolved to become a time of celebrating everybody’s right to masturbate and embrace their own sexuality in a way that empowers each individual. You’re allowed to express love for yourself without shame or guilt because feeling yourself and ~feeling yourself~ should go hand in hand!

What is masturbation?

For some people, masturbation is the act of touching, rubbing, or stroking their genitals for sexual pleasure while many also enjoy stimulating other erogenous zones on the body, such as the breasts and nipples, neck, earlobes, and more. It’s a sexual activity that anyone can participate in, regardless of gender, relationship status, or sexual orientation, and is a common sexual outlet for people choosing to abstain from sex. There is no one-size-fits-all ‘normal’ frequency of masturbation as everyone is different – it could be multiple times a day, once in a while, or not at all. In fact, it’s even becoming a common phenomenon to masturbate while working from home, with 35% of men and 17% of women admitting to it!

Self-loving behaviours like masturbation have been shown to provide plenty of benefits that both your body and your mind can enjoy on top of (or underneath) the obvious one. Read on to learn more about the beneficial side effects of masturbating and get excited about exciting yourself!

1. Masturbation is a safe way to explore sexual pleasure

It’s normal for people to be curious about exploring their bodies at any stage of life, and masturbating is a safer alternative to any other type of sexual experience – after all, there’s no risk of pregnancy or STI transmission if there’s only one person involved!

In the case of mutual masturbation, use condoms with any sex toys you might be sharing, and if you touch each other’s genitals, wash your hands before and after touching your own.

2. Masturbation helps you discover what you like in bed

Nobody understands you better than you, so how can you expect a sexual partner to know how to satisfy you if you don’t know either? If your lover is eager to please you, they’re sure to appreciate any help or tips you can give them about understanding what leaves your body in a breathless state of bliss. The next time you’re in the mood for some me-time, take the opportunity to explore your body in a private, pressure-free environment. Try experimenting with the 31 different erogenous zones (yeah, you read that number right), or spice it up with a fun adult toy!

For our readers with vulvas, you can get triple bang for your buck with the versatile ZALO Bess Clitoral Vibrator! Not only does this buzzing beauty look absolutely gorgeous in its 3 luxe jewel-toned colours and gold trim, it comes with 3 attachments for external and internal stimulation, making this an amazingly versatile device for any adult toy box.

3. Masturbating lowers stress & helps you sleep better

There’s a reason the physical release of an orgasm, self-induced or otherwise, feels oh-so-sweet – your body produces ‘happy’ chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin that boost your mood when you orgasm. Oxytocin also reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone), which means that masturbation is great for de-stressing. Besides, with you focusing on hot and heavy thoughts to keep yourself mentally engaged, it’s likely that your mind won’t be dwelling on the things that are bumming you out.

Making masturbation part of your self-care routine is not only enjoyable, it can also be essential to your body’s healthy functioning, particularly if you have problems getting a full night of restful sleep. Having orgasms makes you sleep better for similar reasons as to why they reduce stress too – all those feel-good hormones flooding your body include serotonin and vasopressin, both of which are linked to upping the quality of your sleep. Sounds like a solo romp in the sheets is a win-win situation!

4. Masturbating can build your stamina in the bedroom

Practice makes perfect, right? Whether you’re affected by premature ejaculation (PE) or just want to last longer during sex, a sex therapist or doctor can prescribe specialised masturbation techniques to help people with penises go for longer in bed. This can include the ‘squeeze’ and ‘stop-start’ methods where you train your body and mind to delay orgasms by becoming more aware of your body’s responses to sexual stimulation. This helps you recognise symptoms of impending ejaculation so you learn to control the process.

You can also try combining these techniques with toys at home, like the Fleshlight® Stamina Training Unit™ Value Pack! This kit includes the Fleshlight Stamina Training Unit masturbator, which is regarded by men all over the world as an incredibly pleasurable and undeniably effective way to increase sexual stamina. It also comes with all the toy care products you need to keep your STU in good condition so you can get the most out of it, including water-based lubricant, toy cleaning spray, and renewal powder to keep the lifelike material soft and supple.

5. Masturbation can revitalise your libido & your sex life

Getting yourself off is often equated with loneliness or a lacking sex life, but that’s totally not the case. When you experience something amazingly pleasurable like a wicked orgasm, your brain is conditioned to want more of it. Thinking sexual thoughts can lead to stronger sexual responses in people who have lost touch with their sex drive due to menopause, fatigue, or other medical factors. This can also stoke the spark of desire in relationships and get that old flame burning brightly again!

Why not spice up mutual masturbation with a couples toy that takes care of both of you at the same time? The innovative Pulse Duo is a remote-controlled couples masturbator that lies between a partner with a penis and another with a vulva, offering vibration and oscillation to stimulate both of you simultaneously. Neither of you even have to move to enjoy the Pulse Duo, making this ‘Guybrator’ the perfect toy for couples short on time, energy, or mobility.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to get excited about exciting yourself, with or without a partner(s), and enjoy all the pleasures that this month can bring. We’ll let Divinyls play us out as you go forth and touch thyself...