When we talk about self-care, we often imagine green juices, yoga flows, eight hours of sleep, and maybe even a journal you barely touch. And don’t get me wrong, all of that can help. But what we often skip over is something far more personal and, honestly, way more fun: pleasure. Real, embodied, delicious pleasure.
Whether it’s through sexual self-pleasure, a slow morning in bed, or simply giving yourself a break, pleasure is self-care. Choosing pleasure is choosing to nourish your entire being, inside and out.
While it may not always seem like we have the time/effort/money/etc. to invest in ourselves, self-pleasure, in all forms, allows us to feel and be better versions of ourselves. Best of all? It can be completely free, accessible, and incredibly healing.
At its core, self-pleasure is about honoring your needs, nurturing your body and mind, and giving yourself permission to experience happiness without guilt.
Sexual Self-Pleasure: Hands-On Healing
Let’s talk about masturbation — not the way it’s been whispered about, but the way it deserves to be acknowledged: as a legitimate, healing act of self-love.
There’s plenty of science behind the benefits of masturbation. Research shows that masturbation can lower cortisol (goodbye, stress), increase dopamine and oxytocin (we love good vibes), and even help with sleep(1).
Emotionally, masturbating can strengthen your relationship with your body, counter feelings of shame, and create a healthier, more positive self-image.
And here’s the thing: it’s not just about the orgasm (although that’s a great bonus). It’s about choosing to give yourself love. Exploring what feels good. Discovering yourself. Owning your desires.
Masturbation is an act of telling yourself that your pleasure matters — and that you are capable of providing that pleasure to yourself.
Use this as an excuse to unapologetically love your body in ways you’ve never imagined before. A powerful affirmation that it is your right to feel good, without needing external validation or permission. No shame, no guilt, no repercussions. It’s a way of saying, “Hey, I love myself enough to make this moment special.” And honestly? You deserve nothing less.
P.S. Curious to go deeper? Check out our blog: Masturbation In All Its Glory.
Want to enhance your experience? Tools like thoughtfully-designed toys, sensual lubes, or CBD-infused Intimate Body Care can elevate your solo time into a true ritual of self-love.
Everyday Pleasure: The Art of Finding Joy in the Small Things
Pleasure isn’t just about sex — it’s also about embracing the small, everyday experiences that spark joy and peace within you. Think about those often overlooked moments – savoring your morning latte, getting lost in a favorite book, taking an indulgent bubble bath, or even binge-watching a favorite show without guilt – these moments of intentional pleasure are all acts of love.
We live in a world that tells us to hustle harder, that rest is earned, and that joy must be justified. But here’s the truth: you’re allowed to feel good, just because. In fact, your mental health depends on it.
Burnout doesn’t come from doing too much — it comes from doing too much without joy. When you build in moments of sensory delight, whether that’s a candlelit bath (have you tried our Soaking Sand Bath Shots?) or a relaxing afternoon nap, you’re not being lazy or neglectful — you’re being intentional.
You Don’t Need Permission for Pleasure
Pleasure is not frivolous; it is foundational. It reminds us that life isn’t just about survival or success but about joy, happiness, and the connection with ourselves.
Self-pleasure, in all its forms, deserves a permanent seat in the self-care conversation. It’s not shameful. It’s not selfish. And it’s certainly not something you need to justify to anyone.
You deserve to experience joy, to honor your body, and to celebrate your life — not someday, but right now. Self-pleasure isn’t selfish. It’s a profound expression of care, presence, and respect for the most important relationship you will ever have: the one with yourself.
You don’t need permission to experience pleasure. You are allowed to enjoy your body, to rest deeply, to find happiness — not because you earned it, but because you’re human.
Keep Calm & Keep Coming
There are countless ways to care for yourself. But one of the most powerful — and most overlooked — is through self-pleasure. Whether it’s sexual or sensory, solo or shared, pleasure is healing. And you deserve it.
When we reframe pleasure as essential instead of optional, we are better able to intentionally incorporate it into our daily lives. And no, it doesn’t mean your whole world revolves around orgasms (though we’re certainly not judging if it does). It just means you’re listening – to your body, to your mind, to your needs.
So maybe this week, you schedule solo time with your favorite toy. Or you let yourself do nothing for a few hours and actually enjoy it. Or maybe, for the first time in a while, you let yourself say “yes” to joy and “no” to anything that steals it away.
Allowing yourself pleasure is a revolutionary act of self-love that strengthens mental, emotional, and even physical health.
Because when you nurture your pleasure, you nurture your whole self. And you are so worth it.
References
Nandy, A., & Das, S. (2019). Masturbation, it’s facts & myths. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, 3(5), 322–325. https://doi.org/10.31142/ijtsrd25273
