Body positivity is a social movement that encourages us to accept and celebrate our bodies, regardless of size, shape, or appearance.

A positive body image allows intimacy to become a source of pleasure and connection, leading to enhanced sexual satisfaction with oneself and within relationships.

Conversely, a negative body image can impede sexual satisfaction, as feelings of insecurity and inadequacy could overshadow the enjoyment of intimacy.

Still, there are taboos surrounding self-pleasure and sex toys, hindering better body positivity and preventing some from receiving the pleasure they deserve.

Despite these taboos, it’s never too late to re-educate oneself and to learn how sexual exploration can benefit those who engage in it. It’s time to explore!

Is there a link between body positivity and sexual wellness? Yes! And it can differ greatly depending on how one sees their body.

You see, when an individual has a positive body image, they are more likely to feel more confident and comfortable during intimacy and self-exploration, and to feel a sense of sexual empowerment.

A positive body image contributes to an overall feeling of being present during intimacy, to focus on pleasure, and to engage in healthy behaviors without feeling any shame or judgement. Thus there is indeed confidence through self-pleasure.

Let’s get more in detail about how solo self love and sex toys can improve body positivity, shall we?

The Link Between Body Positivity and Sexual Wellness

A negative body image however is linked to the opposite. One may be overcome with feelings of guilt or shame, or feel uneasy about exploring pleasure with their body, and thus become less in-tune and “in the moment” during intimacy.

Interestingly though, there’s an actual psychological link between self-love and sexual self-awareness.

Research has shown that self-love is associated with increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for greater emotional balance and stability (among other things).

Experiencing self-love has also shown to decrease activity in the amygdala, decreasing emotions such as fear and anxiety. Additionally, self-love has been linked to the release of dopamine, which is when we experience feelings of pleasure and reward.

Then, there’s also the fact that self-love reduces self-criticism and negative self-talk, and improves our compassion and empathy for ourselves which can enhance the connection we have with ourselves, allowing us to let go and be who we are, perfectly imperfect.

In this way, we can also set better boundaries, recognizing the things that we like and the things we don’t. It’s literally a process of rewiring the brain, quieting the noise of self-doubt, and embracing oneself fully.

All of this shows the link between sexual and mental wellness, a factor that can really boost one’s self-acceptance and body confidence.

Another study to further highlight the link between sexual wellness and mental health comes from the Universities of Zurich and Utrecht.

This long-term study, conducted by Elisa Weber and Wiebke Bleidorn from the Department of Psychology at UZH, noted:

“People with higher self-esteem tend not only to be sexually active more often, but also to be more satisfied with their sexual experiences,”. They found that, over time, changes in sexual satisfaction led to changes in a person’s self-esteem, and vice versa.

Conversely, a different study looked at things from a different angle. They researched 155 sexually active adolescent females and found that those who had lower self-esteem were more likely to engage in sexual acts at an earlier age. Not just that, but they would engage in more risky sexual behavior.

This truly emphasizes the need for knowledge and open communication on sex and sexual wellness.

Breaking Taboos: Normalizing Sex Toys and Self-Pleasure

There are so many taboos and stigmas surrounding sex, using sex toys, and engaging in self-pleasure.

Some of these include:

Cultural stigma: having deep-rooted beliefs or traditions that frown upon embracing one’s sexuality

When one starts to explore and surpass cultural and societal taboos surrounding sex toys and sexuality, they may start to:

Promote self acceptance, body awareness & self-confidence. Reduce shame & anxiety. Enhance pleasure & satisfaction. Increase self-esteem. Improve relationships & mental health.

Talking about sexual wellness is key to fighting sexual taboos. Yet, sex positivity and the use of sex toys are still often hushed up.

Where do we see it though? In movies, tv shows, and adult films.

In these medias, sexual pleasure is “perfect”. We assume everyone loves their bodies and orgasms are regular, sex comes naturally.

Sexual wellness isn’t like this at all. No wonder many people can't connect with themselves—they’re suffering from a lack of info.

The good news is, whether or not sexual health was discussed with parents or at school, there are many resources available to learn.

Some inspiring sexual wellness and sex positivity advocates that you may love include:

Hannah Witton: A millennial sexual wellness YouTube sensation who has a ‘nerdy’ approach to sex and sound advice.

It’s true that understanding ourselves and our bodies give us the power to be more confident individuals.

Yet it’s also true that people are complex. Everyone experiences pleasure differently, and to navigate body positivity issues with a partner may not be the best approach.

In that way, sex toys are the perfect addition to sessions of solo self-pleasure.

Here’s how they can help foster self-love, sex positivity, and confidence.

Encouraging Self-Exploration

How Sex Toys Help Foster Self-Love and Confidence

Many of us don’t know what we want or like. And it can be difficult to discuss this with a partner. But even solo, our hands are great… but they can’t do everything. With a sex toy, one will be able to explore new parts of themselves while understanding what makes them tick. This will lead to a better understanding of one’s own body, leading to greater self-appreciation.

When one makes the choice of autonomy and to take control of their own body and pleasure, it evolves into a feeling of confidence and overall well being. It’s a matter of truly accepting that our bodies have pleasure zones and that we have the ability to experience that pleasure.

Promoting Self-Acceptance

Reducing Shame and Stigma

With the education and resources available today, it’s possible to relearn how our bodies are made, and overcome some of the taboos surrounding self-pleasure. There’s a power available to us to normalize self-pleasure, if we take the time to research, which may ultimately lead to reduced feelings of guilt, shame, or embarrassment.

Helping People of All Body Types

Today is the perfect time for inclusivity. There are so many different resources and sex toys available for people of all body types. It’s true that no two bodies experience pleasure the same, and in the realm of toys, there’s a plethora of different types of stimulation to experiment with to find the pleasure that is so well deserved.

Sex Toys as a Tool for Emotional Healing

For many survivors and those living with a poor body image, a happy sex life, or a sex life at all, can seem unattainable.

Using these tools, even without their vibration capabilities, can be a starting point to reclaiming your body.

To do this with patience and a lot of self-love, when you’re ready, could be the start to overcoming performance anxiety and self-doubt.

And once you begin to connect with your body, and find pleasure during your self-love sexual wellness journey, you could be well on your way to emotional healing.

For example, in an article reviewed by Janet Brito, P.hD, sex therapist, there are many emotional benefits of sexual wellness and connecting with your body, such as:

The release of dopamine, the ‘happy’ hormone. The release of oxytocin, the ‘love’ hormone. The release of serotonin, which mediates happiness and satisfaction.

Choosing the Right Sex Toys for Comfort and Confidence.

Sex toys aren’t merely phallic-like shaped like they were a mere 20 years ago. We have beautiful, non-intimidating toys.

You have the ability to choose which one or ones you would like to try from the comfort of your own home.

Consider a beginner-friendly toy that’s body-safe and looks perfect for you. Something that’s non-intimidating.

There are so many types of stimulation sex toys available too. From gentle vibrations, to suction toys, and more.

Perhaps a small bullet sex toy, like the MIA 3, would be a perfect choice if you’re feeling nervous and insecure.

Tips for Embracing Body Positivity Through Sexual Exploration

Here are two helpful tips for embracing body positivity through sexual exploration:

1. Mindfulness

Mindfulness has been proposed to enhance interoceptive awareness, which can lead to improved attention to sexual stimuli by lowering some of the barriers to sexual functions (such as self-judgement and anxiety). What is mindfulness? “The practice of being fully present and aware of your current experience—without overreacting or getting lost in thoughts.”

2. Mirror work

The practice of looking at yourself in the mirror and really seeing yourself can be difficult, but it can help move us out of the space whereby we believe that our beauty is for other people to consume and not for us to realize. It’s an act of self-worship, as we notice the things that are perfectly imperfect, every little aspect. The rosiness of the cheeks, the fullness of lips, the shape of the thighs, as well as things that may have changed over time—a new wrinkle, or a grey hair… but we don’t judge ourselves for it. We embrace it.

Some additional resources on intimacy awareness you may find helpful as you navigate your journey include:

ASDAH (Association for Size Adversity and Health) The Body Positive More Than a Body My Body My Image

And if you’re interested in reading additional material, there are some great books available.

Why not take a gander at:

“The Body Is Not an Apology” by Sonya Renee Taylor – A book that explores the relationship between self-acceptance, body positivity, and social justice.

And so, it’s evident that sex toys can help individuals on the road to body positivity and self-love.

Whether it’s a physical, mental, emotional, or psychological journey, there are a plethora of toys that can aid in comfort and a positive sense of sexual wellness.

This, in turn, can help remove feelings of guilt and shame, and open up a whole new world of pleasure and solo self-care.

Wishing you all kinds of happiness and empowerment as you walk this road of body positivity and sexual wellness.

For more information on sexuality and ways in which sex toys can be an asset to your solo or couples play time, you can read more at our blog.

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