Does Anyone Masturbate Solely To Reduce Anxiety?

It's become a chore, but I do it every night, a handful of hours before I go to bed (like my shower). I'm 40, and finding it difficult to achieve an orgasm even once a day. I'll watch porn, and hopefully in 10 minutes, I'll have that relaxed feeling for a bit, but it's such a chore. I went for a period this year where I didn't touch myself for 3 weeks. I only do it so I don't have problems sleeping, and like a zit, I want to get rid of it, and don't want to think about sex ever again. I've been awake since 5:30 and debating whether or not I should try to abstain. If I can go 2-3 days and get just as much sleep, then I can stop for another 3 weeks like before, but I'm sure I only did so my mind could stop thinking about it.

 

Maybe it is time to take that break - and a break from porn altogether. Masturbation can be so thought consuming, it's like a background process, always running through your mind. Take a few days and get your sleep schedule straightened out, I know how frustrating not sleeping is and you'll do anything to get a good night's sleep. Turn off the TV, put the phone down early. A sleep aid for a few days wouldn't be the worst thing until you get back in routine. Work out, run, or walk to be sure you actually are tired - read a long boring book (like War and Peace) before bed.

I think it's too easy to get conditioned to a particular masturbation stimulus, like porn. Yeah, it's fun now and then, but once you get your sleep straightened out, lie back clear your mind, take your time, and just enjoy it for what it is - pure pleasure.

Maybe switch it up - do it in the morning or such. Sometimes I think it revs me up at night then I have trouble getting to sleep.

It was easy to get into bad habits over the pandemic - but now, work is crazy and consuming and there's certainly not as much time to think about it.

 

I never masturbated due to anxiety but I used to do it pretty often at night time to help me sleep. Especially years ago when I was younger, having sex or masturbating at night would result in a very powerful orgasm that just exhausted me and I'd fall right to sleep. Best sleep ever. However as I got older, in the late 50s, the orgasms aren't as strong and it doesn't have a sedative and effect.

 

I do it for pleasure, release, being horny.a few times a week usually
Watching porn or given pleasures I received.
Sometimes I want it done quickly, sometimes I want to make it last.
When receiving I want it to last as long as possible

 

In my sexless marriage, I do it essentially for stress relief, but I'm learning to take time and do it for pleasure. The opportunity to just float along with it and skim a few times, is rare though. It is nowhere nearly as exciting as it is with an enthusiastic partner.

 

Not solely but it does make things "even out" very well!

 

Not solely but greatly.

 

I don't masturbate solely to reduce anxiety, but it is the best way I know to relieve anxiety and stress. I usually work naked at home and on a bad day I'll masturbate several times.

 

Sometimes I suppose. I know I often do it to help me sleep

 

Me too

 

I have a lot problems in my life at the moment wife in care home with dementia and delirium, legal and medical problems of poor wife and no job as yet at 61 and in the UK retirement is 67 noons wants you. But HF and the people on it are an in inspiration to me. Yes I masturbation a lot but, I always have. Does it help with my anxiety, NO, but it sure fells good.

 

Thankfully my life is not full of anxiety, perhaps because I read hip forums

 

The forums here have been a help, knowing I'm not alone, or a freak with my bi interests. But a sexless marriage led to an increase in the bi thoughts and anxiety, along with job stresses.
Masturbating to some porn was & is a sure fire way to clear my mind of all other thoughts for 10 to 20 minutes. It doesn't stop the anxiety, but the brief pause and reset is good to have!
I'd much rather have sex with naked skin contact and the soothing that provides, though.

 

Oh, you must have joined NASA ??

Not About Sex Anymore...

 

I don't do it to reduce anxiety, but sometimes if I look at something lewd too close to when I need to sleep, I will have to take care of it.

So my solution? I just avoid looking at that stuff too close to sleep.

I also noticed that being too excited before sleep, it will significantly affect my quality of sleep, since I will masturbate while sleeping.