Why aren’t we talking about masturbation for COVID and pandemic stress?

“What we all need right now is (literally) at hand.”

Recently, I did a LinkedIn LIVE talk on stress, health and the mind-body connection. There is research that says that an estimated 60–90% of doctor’s visits are directly or indirectly related to stress. And, with the addition of COVID-19 pandemic stress, you can best believe that right now that number is at the higher end.

The pandemic has increased physical and emotional stress and, with it, levels of chronic mental and physical conditions, underlying immune system function and feelings of anxiety and depression, especially for those living alone.

I am a health and wellness coach specializing in sleep, stress and recovery. I am the author of a book on using everyday and cultural activities intentionally towards health outcomes. Yet, not until this week did it dawn on me that there is an easy and evidence-based recommendation that could help alleviate many of the public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You know what it is? Masturbation!

Yeah, I know this is not up the CDC’s usual alley but perhaps it should be. There is ample scientific evidence for the physical and mental benefits of masturbation (like everything else, of course, when done in moderation and without guilt).

And, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this is case even more so not only for people living alone but particularly for women, and, especially for Black women.

In fact, a friend shared a news story with me about a woman-founded and led porn company (Erika Lust) in Barcelona, Spain that recently introduced 30 minute masturbation breaks daily and installed a masturbation station (room) for their employees as part of a sex-periment. The results? It has apparently been well received with claims of “less aggression,” “more productivity,” and “more focused and relaxed.”

I’ve always advocated for masturbation, especially for women, so, what happened this week, besides the article?

Well,…I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. The pandemic has caused financial strain and for me, as a single and outgoing person, being socially isolated has been difficult. Despite and because of my stress, I didn’t take the time I normally would to masturbate.

So, finally — after a long time (at least for me) — I got an opportunity to spend “quality time with myself.” Guess what happened? I got something even bigger than the physical release I was looking for. Afterwards, I woke up…and cried. Actually, I didn’t cry as much as I bawled — big, heaving sobs that racked my body almost as much as the orgasm had 15 minutes earlier.

I don’t tell you this to be titillating or pornographic. I am sharing this because my experience made me realize how important masturbation is in this moment of high levels of physical and emotional stress. It showed me “intimately” that the key is the mind-body connection.

What we all need right now is literally at hand. Perhaps we need to be as intentional about masturbating as we are about our other healthy behaviors and health activities? (And normalize discussing it at the same time?)

And, why particularly for women and especially for Black women? The disparities in health and the relationship between health and stress suggest that we need to advocate more for our own health. What better way to advocate for self than to self-pleasure to better health? Just as we run to nowhere and squat for nothing, we can have sex with nobody but and for ourselves.

Especially, if you work from home part time or are fully remote, take a masturbation break during the day and see how it makes you feel!

Given the benefits of and easy access to masturbation, and the physical and mental health impacts that we are all experiencing with the COVID pandemic, isn’t this a no-brainer? CDC, are you listening?

If you identify as a woman and want to explore other simple ways you can relieve stress and advocate for yourself to improve your physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing, register for the next EmBODY LOVE virtual women’s self-love wellness retreat (http://embodywell.com/embodylove)! Otherwise, 1-on-1 EmBODY LOVE coaching is available to anyone!