3 overlooked benefits of self-pleasure

1. Masturbating is the ultimate act of self care.

Not only can it help release a whole cocktail of feel-good hormones to impact and influence our brain chemistry (as well as oxytocin which helps bolster our immune system) but it also can help to shift our nervous system into 'rest and digest' mode, and out of fight or flight. In today's hyper stressful world, masturbation can be viewed as not just as a 'feel good activity' but one that actually can, in the right doses, help to nourish, nurture and care for your body.

2. Until we connect with ourselves, we will never truly understand what we like, want, or need in the bedroom and how to communicate this to others.

Our pleasure, ultimately, starts with us first and masturbation and self-pleasure is amazing way to build a safe, stable, loving, caring and sexy relationship with ourselves and ask ourselves what feels good and how we like to be pleasured. Once we understand this, we can then verbalise this and vocalise it externally to another so we can bring our ultimate pleasure into a relationship or sexual encounter. Communication is key.

3. Learning to love our body. In today's society, so many of us feel like we should be 'more' or look 'differently' for us, or another, to find us attractive.

We are constantly comparing ourselves against others and society has equally taught us that our vulvas should 'look' a certain way to be sexy, cute, or desirable. The truth is that every body is different - and no two bodies or vulvas look the same and masturbation can help you to connect with your sexuality and physical body, and not reject it. Building a strong foundation of self-esteem, self-respect and self-love for our body is a critical part of building a healthy relationship with ourselves, and others.