Nature Knows and Psionic Success

Masturbation comes with a lot of health benefits . Not only is it good for our bodies, from helping us to explore our sexual needs to reducing pain, it can also be good for our minds.

Whether you choose to masturbate or not is a personal choice (and never something to feel guilty or worried about) but it is important to know that it will not harm your health.

In fact, as Mia Sabat, sex therapist at Emjoy explains, masturbation has several positive effects on the brain. Masturbation effects on the brain

1. Releases happy hormones

The brain releases many beneficial hormones during orgasm , including: dopamine, often referred to as the happiness hormone; endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers; and oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. All of these hormones are beneficial to your brain and body in many ways, as they collectively boost your overall wellbeing. 2. Increases self-esteem

Oxytocin, also known as the cuddle hormone, has a big impact on your overall self-esteem . When released, oxytocin contributes to feelings of increased confidence, especially in relation to how you perceive your body, mind, and emotions . In fact, a study conducted in 2015 found a link between confidence and masturbation in women, concluding that women who masturbate have higher self-esteem than women who do not. 3. Boosts mood

It’s no surprise that a surge of pleasure can boost your mood – but do you think of it as an act of self-care? You should! By giving yourself love and attention, you enable your brain and body to reap the rewards, similarly to if you were enjoying a bubble bath. Orgasms, however, add an extra degree of complexity that a body scrub or relaxing facial can’t achieve. Orgasms add an extra degree of complexity to self-care that a body scrub or relaxing facial can’t. Because orgasms release a rush of dopamine and endorphins, you give your body a release that will make you feel happier, more relaxed and in an overall better mood post-orgasm. Take note for the next time you feel stressed, anxious or in need of pampering – you won’t regret it.

How to masturbate for women: female masturbation tips 4. Lowers stress and anxiety

Masturbation can be a great way of relieving stress and worries, as it causes a chemical release which combats your body’s stress response and leaves you feeling soothed, relaxed and at ease. This is all thanks to our cuddly friend, oxytocin. In addition to promoting positive self-esteem, oxytocin helps reduce the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for stress and anxiety . Surges of dopamine in the brain have also been known to cause a wave of euphoria – which can help to improve your mood and put your stressors and worries on the back burner. 5. Pain relief

You might be surprised to know that the hormones released during orgasm are so powerful, that they can even relieve pain. Orgasms release contractions and endorphins during climax that can help reduce menstrual pain, with some studies even finding that orgasms effectively reduce migraines and headaches . It’s a must-try next time you’re suffering from period cramps!

Best times of day to masturbate 6. Helps f ocus and concentration

Dopamine is a feel-good chemical that promotes feelings of happiness and learning, and is often referred to as the ‘motivation molecule’. Dopamine plays an important role in your ability to feel motivated and concentrate, with a lack of dopamine leading to difficulties with focus and task-completion. When you masturbate and achieve orgasm, the surge of dopamine released during climax can be exactly what you need to gain a bit of mental clarity, while simultaneously boosting your focus and concentration. Giving yourself a helping hand is an excellent way to help yourself feel centred again. 7. Sleep

It’s no myth that sex can make many people feel heavy-eyed. Research has even linked sex to a better, more restful slumber, thanks to all the feel-good hormones released during orgasm. Oxytocin encourages your body to sleep when released, so it makes sense that increasing levels of this chemical through orgasm can help you enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep, too. The hormone vasopressin may have a role to play too. Its levels in the blood are increased by sexual arousal and are higher during sleep but whether its release will directly induce sleep is yet unproven. Oxytocin further helps to counteract the restless side-effects of the stress hormone cortisol , so next time you’re stuck counting sheep, try seeing if an orgasm can help you feel drowsy. 8. Masturbation can boost libido

One of the biggest concerns shared by many women is the loss of desire. Masturbation is, without a doubt, one of the key methods you can use to increase sexual desire and boost libido . Each time you masturbate, you learn a little more about your mind, body, and preferences. Understanding how you do, and don’t, like being touched plays a key role in increasing your libido and overall sex drive. 9. Masturbation can improve body positivity

Learning to appreciate and understand the beauty of your body is a very powerful thing, especially as many people struggle to love what they see reflected in the mirror. Realising that we can make ourselves feel good can help us accept, appreciate and love the amazing body that we have been given, consequently helping us to be kinder to our minds and bodies. Next time you’d like to masturbate, take care to notice how amazingly your body responds to every touch, and connect with all it can achieve – it’ll help to form a mind-body connection you’re sure to love.

Masturbating during your period 10. Increases pleasure awareness

Pleasure awareness takes on a snowball effect: the more you experience pleasure, the more you think about it, and ultimately, the more you want it! As this desire increases, you will make a continuously greater effort to achieve your desires. When […]

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A sexless pandemic (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk) The pandemic has seen most people, barring couples who are in the same household, deprived of any sexual contact.

Therefore, last week’s introduction by the government of so-called support (read: sex) bubbles was definitely welcome.

Quick recap: support bubbles allow for two households to come together as one, with the caveat that one of these households has an adult who lives alone. This means that that you can’t form a bubble with a household if both of them have several people living in the home.

This undoubtedly throws a wrench in sex plans for many singletons, especially those living in London , where it’s notoriously expensive to have a flat all to yourself.

They are then back to square one: no sex .

Beyond sexual frustration, what actually happens in the body if we don’t have sex for a longer period of time? We find out. You may feel more stressed

Let’s start this off by saying that a ‘long time’ is hard to quantify – as it’s very individual. But for the sake of this investigation, we will use the pandemic as our example, so a ‘long time’ equates to 12-14 weeks.

During sex, our body releases ‘happy hormones’ known as dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which are natural mood boosters. We also get these from kissing, cuddling and general affection, but orgasms in particular provide a rush of hormones designed to make us feel relaxed.

For some people, sex is also a way to distract their brain from other troubles, if even for a short while, which can help reduce anxiety.

Does this mean that people who don’t have sex regularly are helpless stress balls at the mercy of their hormones? No.

Firstly, masturbation has very similar effects and you don’t need a partner to do that. Secondly, exercise also impacts serotonin, endorphin and dopamine levels in the body.

In other words – can’t have sex? Wank or work out. Your sleep and memory could be disrupted

Back to our lovely happy hormones – serotonin helps regulate our sleep, which is often why you feel a bit dozy after a session in the sheets.

Not only that, but it also improves our learning abilities, memory skills and digestion. Your immune system could benefit from orgasms

On a positive note, some research suggests that having orgasms could boost your immune system, which is especially desirable when you’re in the midst of a global health crisis.

Thankfully, as you know, orgasms can be achieved through masturbation – not just sex – and earlier this year, we explained the connection between masturbation and your immune system .

A small study of 11 people from 2004 revealed that orgasms achieved through masturbation boosted adrenaline and prolactin plasma concentrations, which is a protein hormone that has multiple functions, one of which is to be used by other immune-boosting cells.

‘There is evidence to support that components of our immune system are activated by sexual arousal and orgasm,’ Dr Sarah Welsh, a gynaecologist and co-founder of the Hanx , a sexual wellness brand, tells us.

‘Orgasms, whether through sexual intercourse or masturbation, causes an increase in the levels of adrenaline and other immune cells within the bloodstream, indicating the positive impact sexual arousal can have on the immune system.’

Another, older study by psychologists at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania, also suggests that having sex can stave off colds.

However, more research needs to be done in this field to give concrete results. Your vaginal walls could get thinner and tighter

Don’t panic, not having sex for three months will not alter the entire look and feel of your vagina – but a longer period of not getting freaky could see some changes happen.

‘Sex causes increased blood flow to the vagina and increased natural lubrication, meaning that long periods without sex can mean the vaginal tissues become slightly dryer and thinner,’ explains Dr Welsh.

‘However, this is less common in young healthy women, but more apparent in women who have gone through the menopause.’ Higher risk of erectile dysfunction

‘When someone doesn’t have sex for a while, there’s a very small chance they’ll notice any serious side effects on their health,’ says Dr Earim Chaudry, medical director at Manual . My twisted spine curved 81 degrees UK’s first face mask vending machines launch in London How to stay safe if you’re going back to the shops today ‘[But] unfortunately, men who don’t have regular sex will have an increased chance of developing ED. This proves especially true with ageing men.

What’s more, regularly ejaculating is ‘said to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer by lowering stress and getting cell metabolism to a steady rate.’ You could feel disconnected from others If you’re used to having a lot of sex and have a high sex drive, a sudden disruption into your routine could affect your mental health.Dr Becky Spelman, psychologist and clinical director at the Private Therapy Clinic, explains: ‘Not having sex for a long time affects people in different ways and this really depends on where your sex drive is at currently.‘If you’ve got an incredibly high sex drive or even a moderately high sex drive it’s going to be incredibly frustrating for you to not have sex in a long time.‘For people with a high libido a lack of sex can impact on their mental health.‘There are a lot of benefits in having sex and reducing stress is definitely one of them. It’s also rewarding for people to be able to have regular sex – not only because of the physical pleasure when they orgasm, but also because it let’s them feel connected to others intimately.’ Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk . The daily lifestyle email from Metro.co.uk.

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Sleep is as essential to our bodies as food. It nourishes us and keeps us healthy. It allows us to recharge our minds, process our days (both the good and bad stuff), and it even helps us eliminate metabolic waste. We spend more than one-third of our lives sleeping (or trying to sleep), and it’s a vital part of our mental and physical wellbeing.

If you struggle with sleep, you’re not alone. The American Sleep Association estimates that anywhere from 50 to 70 million Americans struggle with sleep problems. Around 30 percent of adults struggle with some form of insomnia at some point in their lives, and around 10 percent of adults can have chronic insomnia. Bill Fish is the Managing Editor for the National Sleep Foundation , and he says that sleep is as crucial to our bodies as breathing.

“Sleep is considered the third pillar of wellness to go along with diet and exercise. It is an integral part of our health regimen. Each adult should be getting between seven and nine hours of quality sleep on a nightly basis. If you aren’t, you aren’t preparing your mind and body to take on the day,” he says. What happens to our bodies when we sleep?

When we sleep, our unconscious minds take over while our bodies work to replenish and repair the damage of the day. While sleep affects every tissue of the body, its biological purpose is still a bit of a mystery.

Sleep is naturally regulated by the hormonal cycles our bodies go through as the sun traces its trajectory across the sky. These rhythms include both the circadian rhythms and sleep-wake homeostasis. If you’ve ever traveled to another timezone, pulled an all-nighter, or had to get up well before the sunrise, you know what it feels like to fight those natural urges to sleep, and you likely know what it’s like to walk around in a stupefied sleepless state trying to function.

It turns out that one of the key functions of sleep is to keep your neurons sharp and perform what the National Institute of Health refers to as “housekeeping” for the brain and remove toxins that build up during the day. Consider doing a wind down activity before bed to prepare yourself. There are two primary rhythms that affect our need and desire for sleep: Circadian rhythms and sleep-wake homeostasis. Circadian rhythms handle many other things outside of sleep, but they generally control your sleepiness at night and wake up in the morning. The rhythms are usually tied to the movement of the sun, though they can operate without those cues, too. Sleep-wake homeostasis is like the logbook for your sleep. This rhythm and system keeps track of your need for sleep. So when you stay up well past when your body tells you it needs sleep, your sleep-wake homeostasis system makes the drive for sleep that much stronger each hour.

According to the Cleveland Clinic , from a scientific standpoint, sleep consists of two basic states, REM sleep (aka rapid eye movement) and NREM sleep. There are four stages of NREM or non-REM sleep and only one stage of REM sleep. REM sleep generally takes place around 90 minutes after we fall asleep, and it is broken up by different levels of NREM sleep. If you’ve ever noticed that you’re particularly groggy after waking up in the morning, that’s likely because something woke you out of REM sleep. The longer we stay asleep, the longer our REM cycles last. The initial periods of REM sleep last around 10 minutes, with each one lasting longer, up to 90 minutes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Stage 3 and Stage 4 NREM sleep is where you get the rest you need to feel refreshed in the morning, and usually the stage in which you start to dream. When you get a good night’s rest, you feel better, you’re likely less anxious, irritable and less likely to make less-than-optimal food choices, too. It’s normal to cycle between the two states repeatedly throughout an average night. REM sleep is the period of sleep where your body does the most repairing. According to a 2006 report on sleep by the U.S. Institute of Medicine , most normal, healthy adults need to spend about 13 percent to 23 percent of the sleep cycle in deep sleep to get the most benefit for their bodies and minds. Deep sleep can include both REM and the deeper levels of NREM sleep. The amount of REM sleep you get diminishes as you get older ; infants and kids getting the most REM sleep and older adults get the least. Why sleep matters to our mental wellbeing

Sleep does far more than just rest our bodies. It helps us problem solve and make sense of and digest events and traumas that happened to us during our waking lives, too. It also helps us with memory consolidation and learning, as well.

As we cycle between the two stages, our muscles relax, our breathing slows, and our heart rates lower. The deepest stages of NREM sleep help boost our immunity, according to Harvard , but researchers believe that REM sleep is the period where we learn and convert our experiences to memory.

Multiple studies have shown that sleep deprivation can and does have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. In fact, it turns out that mental health and sleep are inter-related. A lack of sleep can impact how we handle our daily lives and worsen mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and ADHD. Sleep disturbances and disorders can also be early indicators that a mental health condition exists.

For example, as Harvard points out, anywhere from 65 percent to 90 percent of adults with major depression suffer from some form of sleep problem, whether its insomnia, sleep apnea (disordered breathing while sleeping), or various movement syndromes like restless leg syndrome or others. In fact, most people with depression suffer from insomnia.

The feedback loop works the other […]

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Scott G Winterton, Deseret News A family takes a walk in the rain around Oquirrh Lake in the Daybreak community on Sunday, June 7, 2020. I grew up learning with the tomatoes.

Dad absorbed knowledge the way our garden took in water; he drank it up wherever it came from. Then, like the crooked plants who shared their beefsteak tomatoes with us, he gave back what he learned and more.

Mahatma Gandhi taught to “learn as if you were to live forever.”

It’s a nice thought, if hard to embody when life gets hectic; finishing the school year under COVID-19 circumstances has tossed traditional classrooms beyond our reach and left some of us reeling. If “learning” summons thoughts of the remote classes your kids have grown tired of, or even of traditional classrooms, think again. These perspectives on learning might be as crooked as my old tomato plants were.

The pandemic’s upheaval could help us reach outside the classroom and reconsider our notions of learning: a transformation that settles in as we settle down to embrace our basic instinct of curiosity.

My dad’s classroom had no walls and no restrictions; it was built of intense desire to discover, and frankly, it filled him with wonder.

His classroom sounded like a mustached, diaper-changing businessman learning Italian from CDs as he shuttled us to and from soccer practice. His classroom extended to me as he practiced French with me while we weeded the garden. His classroom exchanged blackboards for our soapy kitchen, where he watched videos on the Ancient Near East while scrubbing dirty countertops, or the bedside table where he studied the Hebrew Bible each night. These lessons weren’t framed by a three-credit class, but learning was a hobby of his, and it made him happy. His curiosity fed mine.

Pursuing hobbies, interests and curiosity enriches our lives and often leads to some of the most valuable and unexpected lessons.

It’s human instinct to imitate behavior, especially for children to copy adults. Children are so driven to mimic and learn from adults that they will even imitate actions that clearly lead to negative consequences, says psychologist Mark Nielsen of the University of Queensland in Australia. This is because “we’re so motivated to do things like those around us and be like those around us.” What about imitating positive actions, like learning habits?

However and whatever we choose to be curious about, research says that a willingness to be full of wonder (and pass it on) pays off. Being a lifelong learner and sharing this curiosity is powerful; lifelong learners are generally happier, healthier and more financially successful. Starting or reviving these habits can enrich our lives and plant precious seeds for those who look up to us.

Here are some perks of being — and raising — lifelong learners :

Lifelong learners have definite financial and workplace advantages. With technology and the world changing as quickly as it does, the ability to learn and adapt are valuable assets. Jeff Cobb, a successful entrepreneur and recognized expert in the fields of education and professional development, pinpoints valuable prospective employees as “curious, motivated and willing to take responsibility for their own learning.” Learning propensity is an asset, and just like anything else it comes from practice, which starts in the home.

Lifelong learning keeps brain cells working well as we age. Research from Walden University shows that whatever form this learning comes in, acquiring new knowledge helps our brains grow healthier. Attention, memory, and problem-solving improve with practice. Casual learning at home, in the backyard or in the car can provide practice for your kids and a foundation for future learning habits.

Walden researchers also found that lifelong learning can help us be happier, improving emotional balance and combating depression. This is especially valuable in fighting the mental declines that often come with aging. Until then the wisdom, perspective and self-fulfillment that come through learning contribute to strong mental and emotional well-being.

“Learning is perhaps one of the most essential abilities and manifestations of human life,” declared a study by the Gerontological Society of America. This study found declines in frustration, fear, and anxiety when regular learning opportunities were implemented for Americans in late adulthood. These opportunities included courses in painting, memoir writing, digital photography, Japanese brush painting and embroidery, but continuous learning of any kind was therapeutic and contributed to resiliency and a stronger sense of self.

Where to start? Likely, you already have.

Think about the last time you learned or tried something new. Think about the last time your kids saw you learn or try something new. The best learning opportunities are often simple, natural and memorable. A couple of minutes is perfect to learn something that piques your curiosity.

Listen to a podcast, watch a documentary or try out an audiobook. Pick up a new hobby or show your kids old ones. Let your kids see you try and fail and try again. Curiosity comes naturally to most kids — and to most adults, too, if it’s given room to grow. Exploring newness together can turn a natural sense of wonder into a lifelong harvest.

Watching my parents take piano lessons was like water for my own curiosity. The classroom for you and your family may be the tennis court or it might be a library. But whether adult or child, brainiac or far from it, these moments and memories are worth making. Curiosity is worth rediscovering.

Anna Tasso is a student from the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University.

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As an avid yogi myself, just saying the word “ yoga ” makes me feel peaceful – it might sound crazy but I think it has something to do with the brain-body connection that’s been hardwired into my practice. The peace from anxiety and overthinking, and the relief from old injuries and pain I’ve found within a regular yoga practice over the last 15 years has changed the way I move through the world from day to day. These experiences are in no way unique to me: many people have found the power of yoga practice (asana) and breath work (pranayama) healing – and the coolest part is that it’s been studied and scientifically proven time and again to be powerfully effective for both your brain and your body. Mistakenly, this ancient practice of the mind, body, and breath is often considered in the mainstream as “a form of exercise ,” or perhaps another common misconception is that yoga is “just stretching.” However, spend 5 minutes talking to any enthusiastic yogi and you’ll surely get an earful about how yoga practice includes exercise and stretching for sure, but it also about the well-researched ability to make positive long term changes to not just your body – but interestingly – your brain too. Let’s swan dive right into the science behind why regularly practicing yoga can spark healing and positive changes in the human brain. 1 of 5 The Obvious: Yoga does wonders for your bod.

Many people hear the word yogi and picture a hyper-flexible-person with their body in a pretzel shape; maybe a foot close-by an ear, leg over a shoulder and questionably angled arm wrapped in a way that looks both painful and impossible. While yes, advanced poses are admired by many yogis, you might be happy to hear that pretzel poses aren’t exclusive to where the juicy goodness of yoga comes in! Many of the benefits of yoga such as basic increased flexibility or loosening of muscles and connective tissues around bones and joints come into play from just participating in basic practice. You don’t have to go wild to get it goin on! Beginner to intermediate level practice will help build strength , increase flexibility and balance – and has been proven to decrease rates of arthritis, chronic pain, carpal tunnel, back pain, and increase blood flow to the heart (amongst many other positive associations). Moving your joints through their entire range of motion on a regular basis not only feels great but also helps prevent degeneration and stiffness. Consider yoga an anti-aging recipe for your muscles, bones, and joints. To keep them healthy, it helps to keep them movin’! These physical effects only skim the surface, because this article is about your brain and yoga – however in holistic medicine we look at the body as a whole. When your whole body is happy – your brain is happy too! Less pain in your body translates to less mental health diagnoses, headache disorders and a general calmer state of wellbeing. Because lets face it – no one wants to feel creaky. 2 of 5

The Less Obvious: Yoga Has a Positive Impact On Brain Health.

The most current research studies on yoga and its connections to brain health have revealed the positive long term changes that occur in your brain with regular practice as noted by MRI and close monitoring of brain activity. One of the highlights of this research is the effect that yoga has on increasing gray matter density. How exciting! I know, I know…that actually doesn’t sound so exciting until you understand what it means. Gray matter which takes up about 40% of your brain, consists of your brain’s cells (or neurons) and PS it’s actually pink not gray (ignore that confusing detail). This gray (pink) matter in your brain is responsible for many high level functions such as memory, self awareness, learning, control of your five senses, and muscle control. The reason that we care about increasing gray matter is that essentially the more gray matter you have in certain parts of your brain – the better those areas perform. Also if you didn’t know – each part of your brain is responsible for different actions, reactions and processes. So let’s bring it back home….increasing gray matter = better brain function in that specific area, wherever you get more gray matter- the better that part of the brain works. What we’ve learned is that yoga increased gray matter density in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. When these areas of your brain perform better, you then have better: Emotional and impulse control

Focus and concentration

Decision making

Self Control

Better evaluation of rewards and consequences

Sweet! All important and beneficial mental benefits while also enjoying a feel good physical practice – this is where I make a joke about literal and figurative growth. Start growing your grey/pink brain matter my friends. 3 of 5

Yoga Decreases Feelings of Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety: If you have anxiety, you know – the tricky part is that you spend a lot of time worrying about things you can’t control. It’s a terrible feeling and it’s 100% unproductive! You can’t change what you can’t control right? A pillar of yoga that you can take off the mat to everyday life to majorly combat anxiety is staying present. No this is not just a thing hippies say. This is actually especially helpful for individuals with anxiety. The more present – or “in the moment” you are – the less time you have to worry about things you can’t control. It’s not as simple as just telling yourself to “stay present” either – despite what many people believe – it doesn’t actually work just like that when it comes to your brain. In yoga you are actually training your brain to get better at “riding the wave” when things are hard or stressful (I.E. during situations that normally would make you very anxious, you just […]

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