Masturbation can be a route to achieving mindfulness. With sex having been banned for much of the last year, the chances are that masturbation is happening more frequently among those that are single or living away from their partner. In the 2020 global self-pleasure report by Tenga, it was found that 80% of Brits masturbate as a form of self-care, while 78% say self-pleasure improves their state of mind.
This is up from 2019, suggesting the pandemic has slightly shifted our needs from masturbation rather than just be about getting off, it’s about actually feeling good. Edging is one way to masturbate that encourages a more mindful approach.
The focus isn’t on reaching a climax quickly which can be off-putting in itself – rather, the focus is to delay orgasm and enjoy an extended period of arousal. It can be a great way for someone to get to know their body better and what turns them on. A spokesperson for the sex toy brand Pulse and Cocktails says: ‘Being mindful when having some alone time is a great way to be present at the moment and to really get to know your body and get in touch with what really turns you on.
‘Self-care is extremely important, and self-pleasure is a fantastic way to blow off steam and forget about any stress or worries. ‘Plus, it has some health benefits too, including improving sleep, releases feel-good hormones, increasing productivity, reducing period pain, and even increasing your libido.’ If you’re new to edging and are unsure of what to do, these are some top tips to make the process a little easier if extended masturbation feels strange at first.
Drop the pressure to orgasm Instead of fixating on having a ground-shaking orgasm, try to spend as much time as possible getting to know your body and what you really respond to. Build yourself up to come, stop, and then rest before starting again. Be romantic for yourself Taking the time to focus on yourself is important for your mind, body, and soul. Instead of having a quickie whenever you get the chance, block out a specific time in your diary for some alone time, and put some effort into your surroundings.
De-clutter anything causing negative energy around you, and perhaps also light some candles or put some music on to get you in the mood. Give porn a miss this time When it comes to being mindful, you want to learn what you truly respond to you rather than just defaulting to porn. Your mind is a powerful tool. Use it to fantasize, think about how to get yourself going, and what truly turns you on. If you aren’t used to doing it this way, that’s okay allow yourself time to feel comfortable and let your mind wander.
Content courtesy of Metro
