Why you need to invest in your sexual wellness (& 8 ways to do it)
These days, sexual wellness is a hot topic, but it's an area of our lives that often gets sidelined. We put so much effort into staying physically fit with workouts and hikes, and we prioritize our mental health with yoga and deep talks with friends. Yet, our sexual well-being doesn't always get the attention it deserves.
But here’s the thing: sexual wellness is just as crucial for a fulfilling life. It’s about feeling good physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially when it comes to your sexuality.
“Sexual wellness is about so much more than just avoiding diseases or dysfunction,” Joni Ogle, a licensed counselor and the CEO of Transcend Recovery Community shares, “it's a holistic approach to embracing and enhancing your sexual health.”
Luckily, there are things (small and big) you can do to start cultivating it in your life. We’ve got everything you need to know about sexual wellness, below.
Sexual wellness 101: What you really need to know
What is sexual wellness?
According to The World Health Organization, sexual health is "a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being about sexuality." In other words, sexual health and well-being can be described as our relationship with our sexuality on multiple different levels.
Researchers at the medical journal The Lancet, define four pillars of sexual wellness:
Sexual health encompasses everything related to fertility, sexual violence prevention, prevention and treatment of STIs, sexual function, desire, and arousal.
Sexual justice covers the cultural and legal protection of our sexuality and sexual rights.
Sexual pleasure includes diverse physical and mental sexual satisfaction, sexual confidence, communication, consent, and safety amongst other things.
Sexual well-being revolves around being comfortable with our sexuality, sexual respect, safety, and self-esteem amongst other things.
Why cultivating sexual wellness is important
Now that you know what sexual wellness means in your life, you might be wondering "well why does it matter?" It's natural to question the importance of sexual wellness when it often is neglected by society and surrounded by stigmas.
“Prioritizing sexual wellness is vital because it impacts overall health and well-being,” Ogle explains, “It can improve relationships, enhance self-esteem, and contribute to a balanced life. Being in tune with sexual needs and comfort levels allows individuals to navigate intimate aspects of their lives more confidently and safely.”
All in all, there is no denying that sexual wellness is more important to our satisfaction with life than you might think. Here are some key benefits of how it can benefit you, below.
Makes you happier
Did you know that sex can actually make you feel happier? According to one study published in 2006, where researchers surveyed over 27,000 adults, it was found that sexual well-being, in particular, physical and emotional satisfaction, played a huge role in happiness levels.
Of course, because that study came out in 2006, it’s pretty common knowledge by now that when we climax, happiness and love hormones like oxytocin and serotonin are released. And if you’re someone who enjoys sex, that offers a pretty direct correlation between happiness and your sex life.
2. Better quality of life
Did you know that sex can actually make for a better quality of life, too? In a study published in 2016, it was reported that sexual satisfaction plays a huge role in how satisfied people are with their lives, and that when asked about it, folks were more likely to report a better quality of life overall, when they prioritized their sexual needs.
3. Improves physical and mental health
Another link? Sexual satisfaction can actually improve your physical and mental health. According to one small study published in 2016, it was found was that for women specifically, a good quality partnered sex helps promote cardiovascular health and reduce risks of hypertension.
8 ways to invest in your sexual wellness
So you’re into the idea, but how do you invest?
“Investing in sexual wellness involves educating yourself about body and sexual health, communicating openly with partners, practicing safe sex, and exploring what genuinely satisfies you,” Ogle explains to Bloomi, ”Seeking resources like books, workshops, or even counseling can also be beneficial for broadening understanding and comfort with sexuality.”
But there are a lot of other ways to invest in your sexual wellness and health, too. Here are some of our favorite ways to center sexual wellness in our lives.
Enjoy solo sex
One way to invest in your sexual wellness and well-being is by engaging in solo sex. Masturbation is healthy for you. It relieves tension, helps relieve menstrual cramps or general pain, has been linked to improved mood, and helps regulate reproductive organs.
“Masturbation is a primary form of sexual expression…,” — Betty Dodson from Sex for One says, “Masturbation is the ongoing love affair that each of us has with ourselves throughout our lifetime.”
To make time for solo pleasure, you have to want it. And it's sometimes easier to boost your sex drive on your own, without the pressure of performing or satisfying someone else. During your alone time, whether that’s during a shower or that moment when the baby is asleep and your partner(s) isn't home, take out your favorite intimate products and enjoy yourself.
If vaginal dryness makes even touching yourself uncomfortable or painful, introduce a pleasure oil. Pleasure oils, like Bloomi’s Desire or Luxe Arousal Oil, work to heighten sensitivity in the genital area, enhancing lubrication and making touch pleasurable.
Plus, adding a water-based lubricant, like Smooth, could also moisturize and lubricate your genital area to enhance the ease and comfort of intimate activity and supplement the body's natural lubrication.
Solo pleasure sessions are the first step in getting more comfortable with your sexuality, learning what brings you the most pleasure, and normalizing investing in your sexual wellness just as you would invest in any other aspect of your life.
2. Talk about sex
Talking about sex is healthy — for so many different types of relationships.
Before you start talking about sex with your partner, you want to spend time educating yourself first. Read sexual wellness books, follow sex educators on social media, listen to podcasts about sexual health, and find other ways to normalize talking about sex.
Being informed about the topic of your sexuality will allow you to become more confident in talking about it with your partner when you're ready. You can find lots of sexual communication guides online to help you start with how to bring it up to your partner and what to say.
However, if you’re finding it particularly challenging to talk s-e-x with someone, consider bringing in an expert like a sexologist, sex therapist, or sex coach.
3. Engage in foreplay
Another step? Acknowledging that sex doesn't start in the bedroom when you take off your clothes. Foreplay can happen in many different forms and it can happen way before you even decide to have sex.
If you and your partner(s) work long days, take moments throughout the nine-to-five to tease each other. From sexting to naughty photos to tantalizing voice messages, remind each other of that really fun time in the bedroom or tell them what you want to do next. This virtual foreplay will be the distraction you and your partner(s) need while building up excitement as well as a playbook for post-work sex.
4. Schedule sex
As we all know, spontaneous sex is ah-maze-ing, but it's not always realistic. With jam-packed work-life schedules that leave us stressed or exhausted, sex isn't always top of mind. That doesn't make you a terrible person, and it doesn't mean you don't care about yourself or your partner(s).
But sex is important to a lot of relationships, including the one you have with yourself, and it might be helpful to schedule an intentional time to have sex on your calendar. There's this myth that planning sex is unromantic or a sign of a troubled relationship. Neither is true.
Scheduling sex in the calendar comes with several sexologist-approved benefits. Regardless of whether it's solo or partnered sex, scheduled sex builds anticipation, promotes connectedness, and comes with numerous health benefits, like reducing pain, alleviating stress, and boosting cardiovascular strength.
Knowing that you are coming home to intimacy builds anticipation and desire. Even more, it creates the perfect environment to communicate what you want and try out new things.
5. Buy a new (or your first) sex toy
Maybe you’re someone who already has a vast toy collection — but hey, there’s never too many toys to explore, right? Adding new sex toys not only feels exciting and can be a little treat to yourself. But it will also encourage exploration and experimenting with your pleasure.
Now, if you're new to the realm of sex toys, then it's time to buy your first sex toy. Using sex toys for partnered and solo sex has many benefits, and it will allow you to explore new heights of pleasure you haven't discovered before.
Bloomi designs versatile, intimate care devices for all bodies and relationships. If you want a sex toy to boost your intimate sessions, we recommend Indulge Double-Sided Vibrator or Massage Clitoral and Body Vibrator.
6. Invest in intimate products
Sexual wellness isn’t just about sex toys, either. If you want to invest in your sexual well-being, consider investing in another type of intimate product. Stock up on different types of lubricants for different occasions. For example, Bloomi's Smooth water-based lube is great to use with sex toys and for partnered sex. If you suffer from vaginal dryness then Delight oil-based lube might be a better option.
And remember: lube isn’t just for folks who might have trouble with lubrication. Lube is always a great idea, for folks of all genders and sexual orientations. If you use a barrier method, you can look into different condom brands to see which ones feel the best — just check their expiration date before using them.
7. Develop safe practices
If you have more than one sexual partner, then make sure you get tested regularly. After all, safety is sexy. You can practice safe sex through methods of contraception, barriers, clear communication, and of course, talking about STIs before intimacy begins.
8. Make necessary life adjustments
By now, you know investing in your sexual wellness does take time and effort, but if you’re a person who wants to identify as sexual, it can be well worth the effort to go for it. And hey, we’re happy to be here every step of the way in your journey.
