This post is in collaboration with Satisfyer.

Regular orgasms might be just the self-care you need during self-isolation.

That got your attention didn’t it!

We’re living through strange and uncertain times and it’s no surprise that none of us are really feeling our best during this tricky time. With so much alone time, disconnection, feeling unplugged from your day-to-day routine, and the stress of the unknown looming over our heads, we’re inevitably going to experience challenges to our mental and physical wellbeing. Although nothing is going to help you feel 100% normal right now (because we are in far from normal times), there is one thing that could make you feel better (and curb the boredom of self-isolating!).

Overall Health Benefits of Orgasm

Better sexual wellness is known to lead to better over-all wellness and a healthy sex life (whether solo or with a partner) can trigger all sorts of “feel good” chemicals which help support your physical and mental wellbeing. In short, the more orgasms you have the better you’ll feel, and we could all do with feeling a little better in these difficult times.

DOPAMINE​- Is a motivating hormone that is responsible for feelings of pleasure, desire, and motivation to learn new things. It plays a huge role in desire, and libido and is released at the peak of orgasm, and also in the desire phase of relating.

SEROTONIN​- Is an important neurotransmitter which helps regulate mood and social behaviour, appetite and digestion, along with sleep and memory. There may also be a link to low seratonin levels and orgasm.

OXYTOCIN​- Sometimes known as the “love hormone” oxytocin is secreted by the hypothalamus, and helps us feel close to others and affectionate. It promotes empathy, and also has a relaxing effect on the body which can help us manage stress and supports the sleep cycle

ENDORPHINS​- Are natural pain relievers that also enhance excitement or satisfaction. They’re great for boosting confidence, enabling control of emotions and may help generate the release of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and can even help us manage pain.

HEART HEALTH​- Research shows that orgasms are healthy for your heart, and several studies suggest that women who experience more orgasms alone or with a partner are less susceptible to heart disease or type- 2 diabetes.

SLEEP​- Orgasms trigger relaxation with the release of prolactin and oxytocin. Sleep is incredibly important for whole body health including- boosting sex drive, reducing inflammation, as well as supporting overall immune health and well-being.

BRAIN CONNECTIVITY​- MRI studies have revealed that up to 80 regions of the brain get activated with orgasm, and that women who masturbate have also shown higher activation in the subcortical and cortical regions of the brain, which are responsible for higher thinking and planning.

Unlocking The Orgasm

Orgasms can be elusive, in fact only 50 to 70 per cent of women achieve orgasm through penetrative sex, which means there are a lot of women missing out on all that good stuff! All sorts of things can stand in the way of a good orgasm according to clinical sexologist Megwyn White, but the more we understand female anatomy and sexuality the easier these challenges become to navigate and the more achievable orgasm becomes!

THE STRESS RESPONSE - the amygdala (almond shaped masses in each hemisphere of the brain) plays a huge role in sexual arousal, but when it’s overly triggered by fear or anxiety the flight/fight response kicks in and your brain has more pressing things to deal with than pleasure! With so much going on right now it wouldn’t be a surprise if you’re finding it more difficult to feel sexy or reach climax, but knowledge is power so you can learn to manage it (and the more orgasms you have the less stressed you feel, so it’s win win).

FEMALE SEXUALITY - female sexuality is complex and can be influenced by emotional state (again, why you might not be feeling too sexy right now). However, according to Megwyn even in the most stressful times you can learn to access your body through breath and expression that helps you manage the fear reflex and transition to a state that’s more receptive of feeling pleasure!

THE CLITORIS - The clitoris is an amazing organ! Located at the root of the nervous system the clitoris is endowed with 8,000 nerve endings and is responsible for triggering orgasm in most women. We tend to think that the clitoris is just a little nubbin above the urethra, but it is actually a huge organ comprising an area of about 10 cm that flanks the vaginal canal! What’s more the clitoris can grow as women age, how cool is that?!

THE BLENDED ORGASM - The blended orgasm is Megwyn’s secret weapon. It is basically the dual stimulation of sex organs to activate a more heightened state of arousal, and orgasm as it helps exit not just the clitoris but also the areas around it that are potentially the cause of the sensitive (and elusive) area known as the G-spot. The more stimulation, the more likely you are to reach the big-O.

Orgasms and Embodiment

Understanding female anatomy and sexuality is only half the story, applying that knowledge is the other half! In her role as Director of Education for Satisfyer Megwyn has a whole host of ways that help activate the pleasure centres in the body by inviting wellness strategies of embodiment into the mix!

AIR PULSE TECHNOLOGY - Satisfyer’s patented “air pulse” technology helps ignite a chain reaction in the clitoris and the surrounding nerves as well as stimulating blood flow to the sex organs helping everything become that much more sensitive so you’re more likely to reach climax. The Pro 2 is a personal favourite, find it here.

THE VEGUS NERVE - This neurological plexus helps bridge a connection between the brain and the visceral organs like the heart, lungs and digestive system as well as bridging a connection to the sexual organs! It’s responsible for supporting relaxation in the body and getting out of the “fight or flight” state that can get in the way of climax. Ever wondered why the orgasm can be expressed in the body as a tension/release that moves upwards? That’s the vagus nerve doing its thing!

THE O FACE - Have you ever worried about what you look like when you climax? If you’re worrying about the face you’re pulling then you’re then you’re not allowing the vagus nerve to do it’s thing.

VOCAL EXPRESSION - another way to trigger the vagus nerve is through voice as it can increase the somatic connection with the body, relax your nervous system and of course connect with your partner.

THE POWER OF BREATH - breath is amazing and one of the most effective ways to down-regulate the nervous system and navigate your way out of the “fight or flight” state. Breathing diaphragmatically can help trigger a slowing down of the heart rate at the beginning of a sexual response allows your orgasm to fire and makes things extra spicy.

MOVEMENT - finding the right position for your body during sex or masturbation can really help improve your chances of an orgasm by giving those all important nerves space around the sacrum and the pelvic floor ,so it’s definitely worth trying out some new moves if you want to reap the rewards of climax!

Orgasms are amazing for your wellbeing and now’s the perfect opportunity to explore your body and feel their benefit!

This post was in collaboration with Satisfyer who connected me with Megwyn White and gifted me products. All opinions are my own.