The pleasure associated with masturbation alone is sufficient justification for engaging in the activity, but the truth is there are other benefits to self-fondling. As many men know, studies have shown that masturbation can help maintain penis health, while at the same time boosting the immune system. Masturbation can also be a mood enhancer, something many men need. In addition, masturbation can be a great way to handle stress – and in this world of increasing tension, that’s especially valuable.

How it works

It’s obvious that masturbation is a lot of fun, but how does it help decrease stress? Essentially, sex of any kind has the potential to de-stress a person due to the processes involved. When a man is masturbating, the release causes the blood pressure to lower, which corresponds to a reduction in stress. But beyond that, the activity also results in the release of serotonin and dopamine, two substances that play a key role in stress reduction.

There is some debate as to whether non-ejaculatory masturbation produces a desired stress reduction. While some scientists believe the physical act can lower stress to some degree, even in the absence of ejaculation, most agree that it is the culmination of the activity through ejaculation that brings about the most effective form of relaxation.

Fondling for stress management

Men who experience high levels of stress may want to try to use masturbation as one method of stress management.

For example, a guy toiling on an important project for work may find his stress levels have risen dramatically. This is especially true if there are confounding factors, such as feeling that he doesn’t have the skills and/or information to complete the project properly, feeling tired before he even starts the project, or feeling that outside worries and anxieties are preventing him from concentrating on the project at hand. 

Rather than becoming frustrated or pounding his fist against the wall, he may benefit from slipping off to the men’s room and bringing himself to orgasm. This may be especially helpful if he is experiencing a “block” of some kind, as the sexual release is often accompanied by a period of time when  a man’s mind more freely associates or accesses new thoughts or ideas.

Tips

Here are a few tips that can make masturbation more likely to be a helpful tool for handling excess stress.

• Gauge the guilt. Despite the fact that essentially all men masturbate to one degree or another, many people still feel extremely guilty about masturbating. After such men masturbate, they may have a momentary feeling of relief, but it is often quickly overcome by self-loathing for giving in to the desire to masturbate. If a man falls into this camp, masturbating will not likely be an effective way of relieving stress.

• Accept the time. Ideally, a man should allow himself as much time to masturbate as necessary. Masturbating while constantly watching the clock adds pressure into the equation. A man will do better if he accepts that his masturbation may slow him down a bit – and that the extra time is worth it.

• Give in. If a man is masturbating someplace where he is truly alone, he should “give in” to the experience. Most men find that masturbation releases mores stress if they feel free to moan, writhe or touch themselves all over.

Masturbation, whether as a means of stress management or for sheer pleasure, will be more enjoyable if the equipment is in top shape. Regular use of a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) helps achieve this aim. Choose a crème with acetyl L-carnitine, an amino acid celebrated for its protection against peripheral nerve damage and the penile de-sensitization that accompanies that damage. The crème must also contain L-arginine, another amino acid, which helps to ensure that penile blood vessels are open and receptive to increased blood flow. A healthy penis is one less thing for a man to stress about.