Did you know ma-turbation can improve your self-image?
Rubbing one out for self-love. Sponsored by CORAL.
Hey babe,
Masturbation is not just ‘quick fix’ for sexual urges. Sure, it can serve that purpose, but we don’t give masturbation the reverence it deserves. It needs a massive reframe: One that places it on a pedestal as a necessary, important, radical act of self-love. It is key in creating a more positive self-image.
Much like meditation and exercise, masturbation connects you with your body and the pleasure centers of the brain. It helps release much-needed stress-reducing chemicals that allow the body to naturally calm down and feel grounded.
If you’re looking for a way to naturally calm your anxious mind, feel more at home in your skin, and improve your confidence, self-love might be just the thing you need.
Masturbation is a beautiful, natural expression of human sexuality and it is time to embrace it and lean in. If you need a little more convincing, here’s some fact-based reasoning to get your head in the right place to get a little hands on. Pun intended.
Orgasm releases feel-good chemicals. And feel-good chemicals will improve your mood.
Orgasm creates a magnificent cocktail of pleasurable hormones. It’s nature’s Xanax. Self-doubt begins to reduce when the brain is flooded with oxytocin and dopamine on a regular basis. Orgasms help to bring down your stress levels and give you a sense of peace. What’s not to love about that?
And it’s not just orgasms. Pleasure in general is good for you. During foreplay and sexual arousal, your brain naturally releases the chemical serotonin, which helps to increase sexual satisfaction and regulate mood.
All of these natural feel-good chemicals improve your mood and bring down stress. Studies support all of this. Just see the absolutely bonkers health benefits Planned Parenthood put out in an educational white paper. Masturbation is a way to relieve so many of our mental health issues. It really is that amazing. To get into the right mindset to get going, check this out.
Masturbation relieves tension in the body.
While masturbation is not a replacement in many cases for taking doctor recommended prescription drugs, it can give you a way to control and manage your stress levels on a day-to-day basis. When you’re particularly stressed out or overwhelmed, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. This little devil is responsible for anxiety, a slower metabolism, mental fog, and so much more.
By breathing deeply, building up pleasure, and eventual release, you’re giving your body the same rush of dopamine (the reward hormone) that you need to calm down naturally. Your muscles relax. Your cortisol levels go down.
What’s more? Tension release is a big part of getting off. When we orgasm we release all the tension in our bodies. Well, maybe not ALL, but a lot of it. If you have poor self-image, you likely have a lot of tension in your body. How could you not? You’re in a state of self-doubt all the time.
When you have an orgasm, your body works out pent up stress. Once it is finished putting itself through strenuous effort, you feel better. And the more you do it, the better you’ll feel. Are we peddling masturbation shamelessly? Yes.
Masturbation improves body image.
Women who masturbate more often have better body image, although this might be more of a correlation rather than causation. It could be that women with higher self-esteem and positive body image masturbate more.
But we don’t know for sure. It could be that masturbation enhances self-esteem and body image. Or it could be a bit of both. What we do know is that many people who enjoy masturbating begin to see their bodies in a more forgiving, less critical, and overall more pleasure-centric way. When we see our bodies as beacons of pleasure and joy, we appreciate our bodies more. It’s a positive circular relationship that is worth investing in.
To learn how to boost your body confidence even more, check out this exercise.
Self-love is deeply healing.
Getting in touch with your body is extremely therapeutic. When you masturbate and take time to love yourself and touch yourself, you’re reminded what a vibrant and sexy creature you are. It’s easier to love yourself when you know how much pleasure you're capable of having.
Low self-esteem has the ability to take over our rational minds, making us feel like we’re on the edge of a cliff. Masturbation is a reminder that you are in your body and that you are in control. Through it, we can open ourselves up to the healing power of self love.
Again, science straight up proves this. One study found that among women, masturbation was associated with being more feeling oriented and solid in their environments. What this means is that people who masturbated felt more grounded and safe in their bodies and surroundings.
When it comes to improving self-image, anything that can help us feel content and grounded should be sought out and devoured like the most delicious of desserts. What’s more, studies also show that women and vulva-owners who regularly masturbate experience lower rates of depression.
Facts are facts. Get after it and find the healing power of masturbation. It is quite literally at your fingertips. If you’re still apprehensive and aren’t sure where to begin on this masturbation journey, check out Coral’s course on sensual sex self-care.
And for more on this, check out the Coral app, my new favorite thing. If you’ve ever wanted to work with a sex coach, but are nervous to go for it, this is for YOU. This science-backed, pleasure-based haven of sexual wellness is the best thing since the invention of the vibrator. You need this in your life. I’ve never been more hooked.
This week’s mantras:
I deserve pleasure.
My pleasure belongs to me.
I will love myself.
I love you. Have a great week!
XOXO Auntie Gigi
That’s it for me this week, pals. I love you. Go have an orgasm, baby. You so deserve it.
