When we think about tools for our mental health, resources like therapy, exercise, and meditation often come to mind. But sex and mental health go hand in hand – sexual wellness can be one of the best mindfulness practices that improves our mental health just as much as these measures. Using sex toys to reduce anxiety is one of the most accessible ways to balance your mind and is proof that pleasure can be medicine.
Anxiety has a visceral effect on both the body and mind. Physically, it can manifest as a fast heartbeat or palpitations, stomach issues, headaches, emotional dysregulation, or insomnia. It can also have cognitive impacts like an inability to concentrate (ie, brain fog), panic attacks, or restlessness. These symptoms can come out of left field and be a jarring experience. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety, using sex toys can help you relax and recalibrate, whether that’s mentally, physically, or emotionally. Now, we’ll take a look at all the ways that feeling more pleasure in the bedroom can improve your mental health.
The Science Behind Sex, Orgasms, and Anxiety Relief
During and after orgasm, naturally mood-boosting hormones are released into the bloodstream, including endorphins, dopamine, pleasure-boosting serotonin (otherwise known as ‘feel-good’ hormones), and oxytocin, which is often called the ‘love drug.’
When the body experiences arousal and/or orgasm through self-pleasure or partnered play, it reduces cortisol levels. Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, and elevated levels lead to anxiety or a fight-or-flight response. When the above hormones are released, they counteract cortisol and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which makes us feel more relaxed.
Research shows that during the process of sexual arousal, cortisol decreases in the body. This study from 2019 also indicates that sex acts as a natural stress reliever and that intimacy can aid in reducing cortisol levels, which may be due to these counteracting hormones that are released.
How Sex Toys Can Help Reduce Anxiety
Vibration therapy can help encourage relaxation and reduce anxiety-like behaviors, as this study done with college students shows. While vibrators can be used on erogenous zones, they can also be used as full-body massagers to self-soothe. Additionally, sensory stimulation can keep those with anxiety living in the present rather than letting overthinking get the best of them. By using different kinds of sensory stimulation, anxiety can be replaced with pleasure, making for a helpful mindfulness tool.
And vibrators don’t just relax your muscles. The benefits of orgasms for anxiety can extend to physical relief that reduces tension and muscle stress. Along with elevating your mood, orgasms will help you sleep better at night. Using sex toys to reduce anxiety can help you move through your day with more confidence, making you feel at ease and more emotionally balanced.
Types of Sex Toys That Aid in Anxiety Reduction
Vibrators & Massagers: Through targeting different zones (erogenous or otherwise), vibrators and massagers combine hormonal, neurological, and physiological processes to instill a deep sense of calm. The repetitive motion of using them can also be meditative, calming a spiraling mind.
Weighted & Textured Toys: Like fidget spinners and weighted blankets, the deep pressure from textured or weighted sex toys can help provide a grounding sensory experience, soothing the nervous system. Consider vibrators and strokers with ribbing or weighted Ben Wa balls.
Kegel Balls & Pelvic Health Devices: These tools strengthen your pelvic floor and reduce stress. They engage the parasympathetic nervous system since they require deep breathing and mindful movements. They also release tightness in an area that holds tension.
App-Controlled & Remote Toys: Tech like teledildonics can spice things up for singles and partnered people, enhancing intimacy and relaxation – especially if you’re long-distance. Since they’re hands-free, they can also reduce tension in hands and wrists with effortless control.
Incorporating Sex Toys into a Stress-Relief Routine
When we let stress and anxiety build up, it can lead to burnout and other health problems. To avoid this, it’s essential to create a self-care and sexual health ritual that includes sex toys. Explore the wide variety of toys available on the market and work it into your ritual. Consider starting with some deep breathing, meditation, or guided breathwork exercises to slow down. If toys are waterproof, you can take a warm bubble bath and bring them in with you.
Whether you have your playtime underwater or in your bed, set the ambiance with dim lighting or an aromatherapy diffuser with a relaxing scent like lavender. Put on some sexy music that gets you in the mood and makes you feel good about yourself. The more senses you stimulate and arouse, the easier it will be to stay in the moment.
Repeat sexual affirmations or say what you love about your body out loud. Use your imagination and connect to your fantasies, even writing them down if that feels right. Massage your genitals with arousal oil to add even more sensation before using sex toys.
Just like working out, eating nutritious food, and getting enough sleep, sexual wellness is an essential part of nurturing your overall health and mental well-being. Using sex toys to reduce anxiety and focusing on sexual sensations is a form of mindfulness. The sooner you normalize it as a regular part of your routine and not something to feel embarrassed about, the more you’ll reap the benefits!
Addressing Common Concerns & Misconceptions
Not only is it completely normal to use sex toys for stress relief, but it can empower you to take control of your mental health. Self-pleasure can’t replace traditional stress management techniques like exercise, deep breathing, meditation, and reaching out to your support network. However, stress relief through self-pleasure can be a very effective tool if you combine it with these other resources and techniques, integrating all of the above into your mental health practices.
While opening up to your partner, friends, and family can be helpful, sometimes additional support is required, which is where a mental healthcare professional can help. There’s no shame in seeking professional help; if anything, it can help you hone all the resources you have, including sexual wellness.
Conclusion
By embracing sexual wellness and relaxation practices, you can cultivate better mental health and embrace a powerful stress relief tool that can help you regain emotional balance. Using sex toys to reduce anxiety can help you understand the science behind pleasure, from lower cortisol levels to enhanced mood. Whether it’s through vibration therapy, using sensory experience to stay in the moment, or journaling about your deepest desires, setting up a self-care routine will depend on your comfort level and what makes your mind and body feel good.
So, explore, experiment, and learn the different ways that you can incorporate sexual wellness into a holistic mental health approach customized for your lifestyle.
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