I remember the first time I tried it. My close friends were hanging out one afternoon and the topic came up. Masturbation.

The room got eerily silent.

Then one of my more adventurous and experienced friends proclaimed, “I tried it for the first time in middle school.” We all gasped. “What? None of you have ever tried it?” More silence.

“No one?”

I could hear crickets.

She was astonished. Everyone she knew had done it and not just once; weekly, if not daily! We had to try it! It would change our lives!

So, we made a pact. By the end of the semester we would all try it once (and, since most of us were roommates with at least one person in the room, we vowed to let them have the room to themselves at some point to do so). And to kick off the pact, we took a fieldtrip to the campus sex store for some…er….tools.

I tried the very next day. Why not? I was curious….and my roommate had a 2 hour lecture. It didn’t take long (literally) before I realized just how right my friend was. Why had I waited so long to try it? Why did I always feel so ashamed to want to do it? It truly was life changing!

And in more ways than the obvious. Just like the wonderfully unknown benefits of exercise, masturbation comes with a whole slew of added bonuses. (Mind you, I looked these up when trying to convince one of the other pact-makers that it was not only OK to do it, but necessary for a long and fulfilling life.)

1. Reduces Stress: Worried about that huge exam? I have a feeling an orgasm would take your mind right off of that.
2. Introduces You to You: Most of us have issues reaching an orgasm because we simply don’t know what we like. Masturbation allows us to explore ourselves comfortably and alone, so we can figure out exactly what we like and hate. And love. And want more of. And can’t get enough of.
3. Makes You Feel Good: Yes, masturbation (hopefully) produces an orgasm which feels really good. But, along with that orgasm comes the release of endorphins and those puppies give you a general feeling of happiness and well-being. Ahhh.
4. Relaxes Your Muscles
5. Helps You Fall Asleep: Ever have the urge to pass out after sex? Same thing here. I have even known some people to masturbate before exams, after fights, or any other night they just can’t seem to get to sleep. And let me tell you; the dreams after that are fantastic.
6. Reduces Blood Pressure: When your muscles tense up and then release during orgasm, you increase blood flow to the body. This in turn reduces your blood pressure, which helps relieve headaches and muscle aches throughout the body. A great post workout cool down.
7. Burns Calories: It isn’t enough calories to get you ready for bikini season, but is there any workout that is even remotely as fun?

See? Look at all the wonderful things that come from a little you-on-you fun. Now there really are no excuses not to try it. Except a possible roommate. But even that can be taken care of with a lock and a note on the dry erase board.