In the African culture masturbation is a taboo topic and rarely will you find people openly speaking about it.
In a research conducted in the US, 74% of males and 48% of females of adolescents aged 14 to 17 years, confessed that they masturbate.
It also found out that among the much older adults, about 63 percent of men and 32 percent of women between 57 and 64 years also masturbate.
Masturbation is the act of sexually stimulating oneself, typically by touching one’s own genitals.
It’s a common and natural behavior that many people engage in for pleasure, exploration, stress relief, or as a normal part of sexual development.
However, it can become a concern if it interferes with daily life, relationships, or causes distress.
Stopping masturbation can be a personal choice, often influenced by individual beliefs, values, and goals.
Here are some steps that may help:
- Understand your motivation: Reflect on why you want to stop masturbating. It could be for religious, personal, or health reasons. Understanding your motivation can strengthen your commitment.
- Identify triggers: Recognize situations, emotions, or thoughts that trigger the urge to masturbate. This could be stress, boredom, loneliness, or even certain environments.
- Find healthy alternatives: Replace the habit of masturbation with healthier activities like exercise, hobbies, socializing, or learning new skills. Keeping yourself busy and engaged can reduce the temptation to masturbate.
- Practice self-control: Develop self-discipline and willpower. When the urge arises, distract yourself with something else or engage in a different activity until the feeling passes.
- Set goals: Set realistic goals for yourself, such as reducing the frequency of masturbation gradually over time. Celebrate your progress and be patient with yourself if you experience setbacks.
- Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, counselor, or therapist if you’re struggling to stop masturbating on your own. They can provide guidance, support, and strategies to help you achieve your goal.
- Create a supportive environment: Surround yourself with positive influences and remove or minimize access to triggers that may tempt you to masturbate, such as explicit content or private time alone.
Remember that everyone’s journey is different, and it’s okay to seek professional help if you’re finding it challenging to stop masturbating on your own. Be kind to yourself and stay committed to your goal.