The Role of Pleasure in Your Bedtime Routine
Are sleep and masturbation connected? Absolutely! You might have noticed that a good self-care session can lead to better sleep. If you haven’t observed this yet, don’t worry; there’s scientific evidence to support it. Let’s delve into this interesting relationship by examining the broader context, statistics, and more!
Each month in the U.S., there are about 5 million Google searches related to sleep problems. Clearly, many are seeking solutions. However, a pertinent question arises: why isn’t pleasure more central in discussions about sleep? It certainly should be. Educating yourself on this topic not only equips you with facts to share in conversations but also offers insights into strategies you might incorporate into your own routine.
The Science of Sleep & Masturbation
Masturbation induces the release of several hormones in the brain. During orgasm, your body unleashes a blend of feel-good chemicals, including oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. Oxytocin and endorphins, in particular, are linked to relaxation. Thus, it makes sense that self-love can facilitate easier sleep.
One notable benefit of masturbation is its ability to lower cortisol levels, the chemical associated with stress. Many of us find it challenging to fall asleep at night because our minds are preoccupied with stressful thoughts, making relaxation difficult. Naturally, your body releases a mix of oxytocin, serotonin, prolactin, and melatonin throughout the night as part of its daily rhythm.
While melatonin is the hormone that makes you feel sleepy, the other hormones—oxytocin, serotonin, and prolactin—significantly enhance the quality of your sleep. By masturbating and reaching orgasm, you can effectively boost this natural process. This can help you relax and enjoy a more restorative night’s sleep.
Looking for the hard-hitting numbers? Here they are: a recent study found that 54% of participants reported better sleep after masturbating and achieving orgasm!
Masturbation as a Form of Meditation
Masturbation can serve as a form of meditation. It’s important to note that meditation doesn’t mean stopping thoughts altogether. Our brains generate thoughts because that’s their natural function, and we can’t simply turn them off. What we can do, however, is create a mental or physical space to process these thoughts mindfully. This involves isolating ourselves from distractions and concentrating on our bodies.
Given that masturbation’s focused and rhythmic nature can be meditative, it shouldn’t be surprising that it has a connection to sleep. Meditation is already known to mimic the physiological states we experience during sleep, often making it a narcoleptic trigger. This explains why your friend might have dozed off during a yoga session. Whether it’s traditional meditation or sexual meditation, both practices can calm the mind and prepare it for sleep.
Routine & Sleep Quality
As countless TikTok and Instagram videos suggest, establishing a bedtime routine is crucial for better sleep quality. If you were fascinated by Pavlov’s experiments during your school days, you might recall that routines can influence the body on both conscious and subconscious levels. Setting and adhering to a consistent bedtime routine signals to your body that it’s time to unwind and prepare for sleep. Including masturbation in your nightly routine could be the secret to achieving better sleep.
By understanding the hormonal and psychological benefits of masturbation and recognizing its meditative aspects, you can effectively enhance your sleep quality. So, the next time you find yourself restless and unable to sleep, consider a little self-love as a soothing prelude to a restful night.