These days it’s much too common to look at our sexuality in a negative light. People tend to focus on sexual health misfortunes, we see story after story about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies in the news, a dark lens that makes us feel mistrustful, even frightened of our innate sexual needs. That is not a natural state! The fact is that our sexual health is a vital component of our total health and well-being. Sex is important to so many aspects of our lives, yes, it’s about getting pregnant if that is your choice, but it’s also about enjoying yourself, be it by yourself, or with another human being’s body to share together, as well as building a deep physical and emotional bond with a partner. Let’s now explore some of the ways we can take ownership of sex back from the media and society’s jeers and fears, and make it into the special, wonderful, personal thing it is meant to be!
- Enjoy Yourself – Too often self-pleasure is cast as a cop-out, or worse yet, some kind of sin, which is the farthest thing from the truth imaginable! Not only is masturbation a pleasant and beautiful way to know your body better, and express your love for yourself, it also has some amazing health benefits! Self-pleasuring improves your confidence in your body, boosts your self-esteem, and releases a cornucopia of healthy hormones that make you feel fantastic, relaxing you and helping you to shed the stress and anxiety that can be so damaging to your life. This intimate personal exploration can be accentuated by the use of sex toys that add to the pleasure by bringing greater stimulation to your erogenous zones. And, contrary to some people’s opinions, masturbation actually increases your sex drive, inspiring you to engage with your sex partner even more!
- Open Up – Partially because of all the hype and misinformation modern society likes to shade our sexuality with, we too often feel uncomfortable just talking about sex, even with our sex partners! It’s critical to our sexual health and overall well-being that we be willing to open up and talk with each other regarding sex. Communication is the key to a healthy sexual relationship in which you and your partner feel safe and satisfied. It can feel awkward at first, but sharing honest feelings about what you like, and what you dislike, is an important step toward building a sexual relationship that you can both enjoy, a bond that will be stronger and more exciting than ever. Psychologists state that couples involved in a long-term relationship that open up and communicate their sexual preferences and most ‘secret’ desires enjoy better sex and are able to maintain a much higher level of passion and intimacy.
Sex is a treasure we have been given to delight ourselves and to share with others. It is very important to be responsible by using birth control and practising safe sex, but that should be part of the joy, not a burden. Besides, putting on a condom is fun, if you have a little help from a friend!
