They're similar to those you'd get from yoga.
You may not think having an orgasm, whether solo or with a partner, and yoga have anything in common, but they actually provide similar wellness benefits. Read on for three key reasons to incorporate both practices into your self-care arsenal.
Get relief from anxiety.
Yoga science:
A 2007 study found that people who completed a one-hour hatha yoga session per week over the course of 10 weeks showed significant improvements in stress and anxiety levels.
Sex science:
Thanks to orgasm's ability to increase endorphins and oxytocin, having one can lower levels of cortisol, according to a 2009 study. Even the routine surrounding sex and masturbation can create a chill mood. So, light those candles and put on your favorite playlist.
Sleep better.
Yoga science:
In a 2012 survey from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 55 percent of people who regularly practiced yoga reported better sleep compared to when they didn't practice.
Sex science:
Both men and women felt that they fell asleep faster and had higher-quality sleep whenever they got themselves off before going to bed, per a 2019 study.
Reduce pain.
Yoga science:
A review of 18 studies found that yoga decreases severity of PMS symptoms, including cramps. But the relief goes beyond period discomfort: A 2014 study found that both male and female yogis had increased gray matter in multiple brain regions associated with increased pain tolerance.
Sex science:
Research has long supported the fact that self-stimulation increases a woman’s threshold for pain, but orgasms have the biggest numbing effect. And, similar to post-yoga, some women report relief from period cramps after masturbating. Pamela Peeke, MD, founder of the Peeke Performance Center for Healthy Living in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Equinox Health Advisory Board, confirms that masturbation can actually alleviate pain in both genders.
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