1. Self-Care Has Evolved - And So Should Your Routine

Self-care isn't just about momentary escapes from stress. At its core, it's about honoring your complete wellbeing-physical, emotional, mental, and yes, sexual. True self-care involves addressing all the dimensions that make you feel whole, vibrant, and connected to yourself.

The problem is that many of us have been conditioned to separate sexual wellness from "acceptable" self-care practices. We'll proudly announce our new meditation habit or skincare routine, but rarely do we acknowledge the importance of nurturing our sexual health with the same openness.

It's time to change that narrative. Sexual wellness isn't indulgent or frivolous-it's fundamental to your overall health and happiness.

2. The Science-Backed Benefits You Didn't Know About

Sexual wellness impacts your body and mind in surprisingly powerful ways:

📌 Physical Benefits: Regular sexual activity (solo or partnered) stimulates blood flow to the pelvic region, which can help maintain tissue health and elasticity. For women entering perimenopause or beyond, this increased circulation can actually help counteract vaginal dryness and discomfort-common challenges that many face as hormone levels fluctuate.

📌 Stress Relief: Sexual pleasure triggers the release of endorphins and oxytocin, nature's stress-fighters. That delicious post-orgasm glow? It's your body's natural relaxation response at work-as effective as many stress-management techniques at lowering cortisol levels.

📌 Improved Sleep: The relaxation response that follows sexual pleasure can lead to deeper, more restful sleep-something many of us desperately need in our hyper-connected world.

📌 Mood Enhancement: Regular sexual activity has been linked to improved mood and decreased symptoms of anxiety. Who couldn't use that natural boost?

📌 Pelvic Floor Health: Sexual wellness practices strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which support everything from bladder control to core stability-benefits that extend far beyond the bedroom.

3. Self-Connection: The Foundation of All Intimacy

Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of sexual wellness as self-care is the profound connection it creates with yourself. In a world that constantly pulls your attention outward, practices that bring awareness inward are revolutionary.

Taking time to explore your body's responses, understand your desires, and honor your needs creates a foundation of self-knowledge that enriches every aspect of your life. This self-connection makes you more present not just in intimate moments, but in all your interactions.

When you're attuned to your own needs and boundaries, you're better equipped to communicate them to partners, which leads to more fulfilling relationships overall. It's a ripple effect that starts with honoring your own body.

4. Practical Ways to Incorporate Sexual Wellness Into Your Self-Care Routine

Ready to expand your self-care practice? Here are some approachable ways to incorporate sexual wellness:

📌  Schedule "Me Time": Just as you might block time for exercise or meditation, set aside uninterrupted time for self-pleasure. Treat it with the same respect as any other wellness practice.

📌  Educate Yourself: Knowledge is empowering. Read books about sexual health, listen to educational podcasts, or explore resources from trusted experts. Understanding your body is a form of self-care.

📌  Mindful Exploration: Approach self-pleasure with mindfulness. Rather than rushing toward climax, focus on sensations, breathing, and staying present in your body-similar to how you might approach meditation.

📌  Invest in Quality Tools: Just as you might invest in a good yoga mat or skincare products, consider quality pleasure products designed for your body's needs. For women in midlife and beyond, tools that enhance sensation and support changing bodies can be especially valuable.

📌 Journal About Desires: Writing about your desires, fantasies, and pleasure experiences can help you better understand your needs and track changes in your body's responses over time.

📌 Physical Maintenance: Regular pelvic floor exercises, staying hydrated, and maintaining overall physical health all support sexual wellness. These small habits can make a big difference.

📌 Communication Practice: Whether you have a partner or not, practicing how to articulate your needs and boundaries is a form of self-care that extends beyond sexuality into all relationships.

5. Age Is Just a Number: Sexual Wellness Throughout Life

One of the most beautiful aspects of sexual wellness is that it evolves with you through every stage of life. Too often, society sends the message that sexual health is only relevant during youth-nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, sexual wellness practices become even more important as we age. During perimenopause and beyond, regular sexual activity (solo or partnered) can help maintain vaginal health, counteract dryness, and keep tissues elastic. It's not just about pleasure-it's preventative health care.

At BerryLemon, we've found that women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond who maintain a sexual wellness routine report not just greater physical comfort, but also enhanced body confidence and emotional wellbeing. There's something profoundly empowering about reclaiming this aspect of yourself at every age.

6. Overcoming the Mental Barriers

If incorporating sexual wellness into your self-care routine feels challenging, you're not alone. Many of us carry implicit messages about sexuality that can create mental barriers.

Start by examining your thoughts around sexual wellness: Do you feel you "should" be a certain way? Do you believe sexual wellness is less important than other health practices? Are you prioritizing everyone else's needs before your own?

Sometimes, simply acknowledging these thought patterns is enough to begin shifting them. Remember that caring for your sexual health is not selfish-it's an essential component of your overall wellbeing.

7. Your Permission Slip for Pleasure

Consider this your official permission slip to include sexual wellness in your self-care routine. In a world that often downplays the importance of female pleasure, deciding to honor this aspect of yourself is a radical act of self-love.

Sexual wellness isn't an indulgence-it's a birthright. It belongs in your self-care practice alongside nourishing food, movement, rest, and emotional health. When we fragment our approach to wellness, separating the sexual from the "acceptable" aspects of health, we deny ourselves the integrated wellbeing we deserve.

So the next time you're planning your self-care routine, look beyond the bubble bath. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you for embracing your complete health-sexual wellness included.

About the Author:  Warren Johnson is the founder of BerryLemon, a female-founded, queer-owned sexual wellness brand dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages through education and high-quality pleasure products.