We should all feel pretty blessed to live in an age where the positive effects of masturbation are widely accepted. No longer does science tell us that women who masturbate will break their vaginas or go to hell. Here are the top five reasons why you should be getting off in the morning. Just like you take your morning vitamin, a morning pleasure session can boost your health and prevent illnesses like diabetes and prostate cancer. For women, in particular, masturbating can help prevent cervical and urinary tract infections, according to Anthony Santella, a public health scientist at University of Sydney. Not quite ready to put on clothes? Yes, definitely pop some Tylenol and turn on the heating pad — but also, whip out your vibrator! Masturbating increases blood flow to the pelvic region , which can help ease the pain of cramps and back aches.

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I started masturbating when I was five years old. I also knew it fixed things: It gave me something to do when I was bored, calmed me down when I was anxious, made sad things—like my friend moving away or my parents getting divorced—seem less sad. I started doing it all the time. It wakes me up, boosts my mood, and soothes my stress enough that I can kick the covers off and be a functional human being. I feel anxious, depressed, and exhausted. Rebecca, a year-old chef I met in a private, sex-positive Facebook group whose last name has been left out for privacy, tells me she also masturbates every morning. Why are coffee, hot showers, or exercise some people's personal alarm clocks while mine is three-to-five-minute of clitoral bliss?
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In the end, I rush for the bus in a haphazard outfit, my self-induced bedhead neatly packed away in a bun. My stress levels are generally quite high. I work in a fast-paced environment where tight deadlines come as part of the package and my mind is constantly "on. Switching off is difficult — as a natural workaholic, my evenings and weekends are frequently filled with more work. Masturbation allows me to completely empty my mind. After an orgasm, I am also much calmer, and I've found that it's actually a fantastic way to stimulate the brain.
Almost all of us masturbate — but are you doing it enough? Masturbation provides so many benefits, you should think of it as a part of your self-care routine. There's no fixed amount that works for everyone, but I recommend that you find the balance that feels right for you. Here are a few of the major reasons you should be getting down with yourself more often.