Sometimes, the stars align perfectly and the things you love to do end up being good for you. For many people, masturbation is one of those activities that has many benefits, from improving sleep to increasing awareness of one's sexual desire. As psychologist and sex therapist Janet Brito previously explained to Bustle, "For those who may be prone to prioritizing the needs of others, feeling worthless, or struggling with self-pleasure , masturbation is a great start to rediscovering your sexuality on your own terms.”
As sex therapist Vanessa Marin explains, while your choice to masturbate is entirely a matter of personal preference, masturbating at night has some specific benefits, like helping you relax.
So even if you're a typical morning orgasm type of person, it might be worth trying a nighttime routine to reap some of these benefits.
1. Masturbating before bed can help you fall asleep
As Malin explains, the main reason why masturbation might make you feel tired or help you sleep is "direct neurochemicals." A study published in Frontiers in Public Health cites existing literature to explain that the release of oxytocin and prolactin after sexual activity are some of the factors that improve sleep. While you may worry that you won't get these sleep-inducing effects without the physical exertion of partnered sex, there is hope. The same study found that masturbation alone was enough to improve sleep quality.
Even if you don't climax, masturbating without an orgasm can still help you fall asleep. "For some people, even if they don't orgasm, or their orgasm doesn't bring a feeling of relief or release, it can bring about a general feeling of relaxation," Marin adds. Basically, masturbation will make you feel tired, whether you have an orgasm or not.
2. Masturbation can help relieve stress and relax
Another benefit of masturbation on brain chemistry is the suppression of cortisol, a chemical associated with stress. Of course, if you're trying to relax in the evening, stress usually doesn't do much to help you relax. But it's not just the chemicals that work. "For some people, masturbation can feel very transactional, like, 'I just want to climax, get it over with, get a sense of release, or go to bed,'" Marin explains. "But I generally recommend that people, at least some of the time, try masturbating by giving themselves more time to really focus on exploring their body—making it feel like a form of self-care," she adds .
Basically, if your goal is to relax at night, rushing to reach orgasm through masturbation may not be that beneficial. "If you do take a moment to explore your body and see what feels good today, it can be a really good ritual to get back into your body and reconnect with yourself and meditate in some sense. . All of this can really bring about a sense of relaxation,” she adds.
3. Masturbating before bed may be more practical
From a logistical standpoint, masturbating before bed may be the best option. By the time you turn the sheets, there are no meetings you can be late for, and most likely no tasks that urgently require your attention. "You may have more privacy if the kids are in bed or the roommates are sleeping," Marin explains. This sense of privacy can help you think more clearly, she says, and may make you less likely to feel rushed.
But it's important to remember that nighttime can also be a double-edged sword when it comes to masturbation. Malin warns that some people may start to feel anxious about cutting back on sleep. You might start staring at the clock, worrying that every extra minute you spend on yourself will cost you one minute of sleep. Understanding yourself and your unique concerns will help you discover your best moments for intimacy.
4. Your sex drive may be higher at night
"Some people feel they have a higher sex drive at night," Marin explains. "So if you're just feeling more eager to do it, that's always a good time to do it. It's a very individual thing; sometimes some people have a higher libido in the morning, but a lot of people have a higher libido at night," she adds.
A Polish study found that female subjects felt the most intense sexual desire between 6 p.m. and midnight. So if you find that your sex drive tends to be at your peak at night, going with the flow may be the key to unlocking a host of other benefits of nighttime masturbation.
5. Masturbating at night may help increase body self-awareness
As Marin explains, many people struggle with their body image when masturbating. If this is you, the harsh sunlight, reflectors, and other visual cues that may be present during the day may distract from anxious thoughts about your body at the exact moment you want to focus on feeling good about yourself. "For some people, having a dark cloak can make it feel like a more enjoyable experience," she added. You want to give yourself a positive experience, and changing the time you masturbate might be one way to achieve this.
If you're someone who struggles with body image, there are lots of little ways to be gentler with yourself.
Marin stresses that besides the time of day, one of the most important things to remember when masturbating is to do what feels right for you.
study:
La Stella, Michel et al. "Sex and sleep: Perceptions of sex as a sleep-promoting behavior among the general adult population." Frontiers in Public Health Vol . 7 33. March 4, 2019, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00033
Konrad S. Jankowski, Juan Francisco Díaz-Morales and Christoph Randler (2014) Chronotype, gender and the timing of sexual behavior, Chronobiology International, 31:8, 911-916, DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2014.925470
source:
Dr. Janet Brito. PSY, LCSW, CS
Vanessa Marin, sex therapist
