Masturbation isn’t just about the climax and the pleasure it brings. It is so much more. Studies from institutions like the Kinsey Institute and the National Institutes of Health have shown that regular solo pleasure can:

• Reduce your stress levels

• Improve sleep by releasing feel-good chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine

• Help people learn their preferences

• Support body confidence and reduce shame and guilt around pleasure

When you engage in mindful self-pleasure, you’re doing more than just "getting off". You’re building a deeper sense of expression. In fact, research published in the International Academy of Sex notes that people who masturbate regularly often report increased sexual satisfaction and self-esteem.

Understanding your own arousal responses makes it easier to advocate for your needs in relationships and feel more confident in your own skin. Think of solo play as both pleasure and practice. To help you be more in touch with your body, Honey Play Box has some awesome toys to help you out and a guide for mindful masturbation.

More Than a Quickie Guide

1. Set the Scene Creating a comfortable space helps to activate your senses and put you more "in the mood". Dimming the lights, playing soft music, lighting a candle, or even something like putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” so you can get in the mindset that it is time for relaxation and exploration. Pro tip: Use lube! It enhances sensation and reduces friction, making everything smoother and more enjoyable. You should use this for both male sex toys and female sex toys. Look for body-safe formulas, like Honey Play Box waterbased lube that is free of glycerin and parabens.

2. Explore Slowly Don’t rush and really take your time. Solo play is more eye opening when you're focused on sensation, not just release. Try:

• Changing up the speed, rhythm, and pressure of your touch

• Using toys with new sensations like tapping, licking, or suction such as a male masturbator or clit vibrator

• Trying out app-controlled toys that allow you to customize patterns, sync to music, or engage in long-distance play

• Exploring different erogenous zones like the inner thighs, nipples, perineum, or clitoris

Being curious is good and you should never be ashamed of being curious about what you like and dislike. When you pleasure yourself think, what feels new? What surprises you? That’s when you will unlock new things you never knew about yourself. Slowing down can also help with developing stronger orgasms over time by tuning in to your body’s natural build-up process. A lot of people actually enjoy edging! According to a journal published on MDPI, people who masturbate regularly often experience improved orgasm quality and duration.

3. Practice Aftercare Aftercare isn’t just for partnered play it’s essential for solo play, too. Once you've finished, give yourself space to rest and although it may sound odd, you can also try journaling your experience, taking a warm shower, or simply lying in stillness. Of course, don't forget to clean your toys thoroughly with Honey Play Box toy cleaner, so it is ready to go for your next session! Self-pleasure is emotional as well as physical. A little post-play grounding goes a long way. This is your time to reconnect with your body, reinforce self-love, and integrate the pleasure you just experienced.

Beyond the Bedroom: Solo Play as Self-Care

Masturbation often gets boxed into the realm of “just sex,” but it’s also an act of self-care—just as vital as a skincare routine or a long walk outside. Solo pleasure allows you to decompress, disconnect from external demands, and reconnect with your body on your own terms. It can be particularly empowering for people healing from body shame, trauma, or a history of people-pleasing. This is your space to prioritize you.

Solo play also offers surprising benefits outside the bedroom. It can improve focus, lift your mood, and even help with menstrual cramps through the natural release of endorphins. One study published in Sexual and Relationship Therapy found that individuals who incorporated masturbation into their wellness routines reported improved emotional regulation and reduced anxiety.

And if you’re in a relationship, solo play doesn’t take away from partnered intimacy, it enhances it. Learning what feels good on your own makes it easier to communicate desires and boundaries, creating more fulfilling, connected encounters. Whether you’re single, partnered, or somewhere in between, honoring your pleasure is an act of self-respect.

Toys Perfect for Solo Pleasure

Solo exploration can be even more rewarding when you experiment with tools designed for pleasure, anatomy, and variety. Here are four top picks from the “favorites” list which includes male sex toys, female sex toys, male masturbators, and clit vibrators:

• KAI 2 A versatile male sex toy with soft textures and suction sensation—ideal for those looking to explore different stimulation patterns. This male masturbator is great for mindful edging or experimenting with lube temperatures.

• TEMPO An app-enabled G-spot tapping vibrator that mimics rhythmic internal touch—great for people curious about internal stimulation and deeper orgasms, especially G-spot exploring. Honey Play Box's app-controlled toys are unique because not only can you customize your pleasure, but you can use it as a sexual wellness tool with features like menstruation tracking and Kegel training. Tempo's consistent pressure and tapping motion help you better locate and engage this sensitive zone. This can be used for internal pleasure or just as a clit vibrator.

Final Thought: Pleasure Without Pressure

There’s no one “right” way to masturbate, only the way that feels good to you. For some, solo play is a daily self-care ritual. For others, it’s an occasional check-in. What matters most is that it’s yours, a space to be present, honest, and fully at comfortable in your body.

Want to take it further? Try tracking your solo sessions in a pleasure journal, experimenting with breathwork during orgasm, trying out new app-controlled toys, or learning about the anatomy of arousal through educational resources like OMGyes or Planned Parenthood.

Masturbation is a celebration of self. No shame. No rules. Just pleasure, intention, and a deeper connection to you.

If you want to check out our full collection, you can check it out here!