By Leo Aquino
Masturbating is such a popular addition to self-care routines these days that evenOprah’s people are writing about it. Personally, masturbating for stress release has helped me through some tough times.
As a freelance writer, I’m usually juggling back-to-back deadlines. When a big project has me tossing and turning at night, I know that an orgasm will quickly put me in a deep, rejuvenating sleep.
When I struggle with self-doubt and anxiety over my work, pausing for a quick self-play sesh helps me engage with my body and stay present.
Balancing masturbation and self-care
While I can recognize the energizing power and benefits of a masturbation ritual, I can also see when I’ve become too dependent on it. Instead of finding time for workouts, meditation, or journaling, my masturbation habits carry all the weight of relieving my stress.
With quarantine forcing us to bring our workspace into our homes, it has been too easy to sneak off between Zoom calls to rub one out. I started to get antsy, irritable, and impatient throughout my workday. I had trouble concentrating because I was simply biding time until I could get my next fix.
Orgasms can be addictive when I don’t balance that out with other forms of self-care. I began to wonder what masturbation would look like when I’m not using it solely for stress-relief.
To aid in my little experiment, I enlisted the help of my trustyLioness Vibrator. Lioness is a rabbit vibrator that works with the vagina to gather information about pelvic floor movement, pressure, and heat in neat little graphs.
My favorite feature is the artwork generator that helps me visualize your orgasms. Making me cum is an art form, and anyone who enters this palace better come correct.
Masturbating and stress relief
To conduct the first part of my experiment, I had to add masturbating time-slots to my calendar. (Yes, I love my job very much.)
The last two weeks of June were brutal. Aside from writing deadlines, I was on the planning committee of a digital Pride event. The event brought up high emotions, as my community learned about the deaths ofTony McDade,Nina Pop, and many otherBlack trans folx.
Between planning, supporting my friends, keeping up with a heart-breaking news cycle, and meeting my professional deadlines, I had such little time to take care of myself. Once the bulk of my tasks were over for the week, I set a little date for myself to masturbate in the candlelight with my trusty Lioness.
Masturbation and self-care
The following week, I kicked my self-care routine into high gear:- I only worked on professional projects for two hours per day, maximum.
- I meditated for ten minutes every morning, and followed those up with deep breathing exercises.
- I took a walk around the scenic part of my neighborhood for two hours every morning before the sun got too hot.
- I took some time to sit on my favorite comfy armchair and read a delicious book, then I journaled afterward.
- I made two smoothies a day and ate my veggies.
- I visited my hairdresser, a friend of mine, and got a fresh new cut.
For a week, my life looked like the glow-up montage in Bridget Jones’ Diary. (Again, I love my job.) After that blissful week, I measured my orgasms again to see how things would change now that I’m not so stressed out.
The results after a stressful week
Even though I’m mostly sitting on my computer these days, my brain’s hyperactivity makes my muscles achy.
After a long, hot shower, I practically collapsed onto my bed, where my Lioness is waiting for me. The session is brief, but it does the trick.
To speed up the arousal process, I opened up the steamy sex scenes from the movie that stars my teenage gay crush: Diane Lane inUnfaithful.Like always, Iedge. I get myself close to the orgasm, then slow down, teasing myself until I reach a bigger, more intense climax at the end.
My technique helps me sleep like a baby. I wake up feeling energized, even though I can still feel some of the effects of the week’s stress on my body.
The results after a week of an intense self-care routine
When I return to my long morning walks, I’m able to sleep better at night, without needing to masturbate. For a few days, I completely ignored the masturbation calendar alerts on my phone, reminding me to continue gathering data.
One night, before bed, I start cleaning my room, lighting some candles, and putting a bouquet of sunflowers on my nightstand becauseI deserve it.I put on some D’Angelo and set my Lioness Vibrator out on my bed. The mood is set, but there’s only one problem… I’m not hornyat all.
All the emotional and mental stress that I’d been releasing through masturbation had already been released through other means.
I try to pull up videos to watch to at least get wet, but even those didn’t seem too enticing. I take a few deep breaths and sleep it off. I’ll get to the bottom of it tomorrow.
I spent the next morning journaling and writing affirmations. I realized that my relationship to sex has changed dramatically since quarantine started. I’m new to LA, and also newly single. It felt like The Universe was asking me to examine how I practice intimacy with myself.
After that marathon journaling session, I fired my Lioness Vibrator up. Instead of building up to one big orgasm, I breathed deeply through every sensation. It felt like I was experiencing smaller, more intentional orgasms, but I felt every pulse through my whole being. I was intimate with myself on another level.
This particular session was not just about masturbating for stress relief, but about making new commitments to myself and to my body. Instead of feeling spent and exhausted after masturbating, I feel like I tapped into a new energy source. I moved through the day feeling more creative, deliberate, and fearless.
Conclusion
There are many incredible benefits to masturbation; stress relief, emotional release, a better understanding of your own body, and more. Masturbating can even relieve period cramps!
While there’s nothing wrong with masturbating to relieve stress, it’s worth questioning whether or not your masturbation routine is helping or hurting you. I’m grateful forthis magical vibrator’s ability to teach me the difference between the two.
With this new information, I’m ready to create a better relationship with pleasure.
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Explore your own stress management and self-care routine with the Lioness!
The Lioness Smart Vibrator
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