This Is the Best Time of Day to Masturbate for Peak Health Benefits, According to a Sexologist

The health benefits of masturbation are numerous, from helping you sleep better to strengthening your pelvic floor. But is there a certain time of day you should be indulging in a little self-pleasure to best take advantage of said benefits? That kind of depends. Below, I asked Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, for her thoughts on the best time of day to masturbate—plus whether there’s really any time you shouldn’t be engaging in a little solo action.

Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, PhD, is a sociologist and the author of From Madness to Mindfulness: Reinventing Sex for Women. Gunsaullus has had a private practice as an intimacy and relationship coach for the past 15 years, and is an international speaker about couples’ desire, sexual consent, healthy relationships, women’s empowerment and more.

Per Gunsaullus, there really isn’t a “best” time to masturbate—it’s all about what works best for you. “Some people find that morning masturbation helps them start the day feeling energized and confident, while others enjoy it as a relaxing way to wind down at night,” she tells me. “The key is listening to your body and choosing a time when you can relax, appreciate your body and enjoy the experience.” No matter whether you take a little self-pleasure break in the afternoon or get some use out of your favorite bullet vibrator before falling asleep, the most important thing is to create a space where you feel comfortable and connected to yourself.

There isn’t a time of day when you shouldn’t masturbate, according to Gunsaullus, unless you’re using it to procrastinate from something important or if it’s becoming a way to avoid emotional discomfort—or your partner. She says, “Because I'm a proponent of mindful and/or meditative masturbation, especially for women who carry shame or embarrassment around self-pleasure, I encourage choosing a time when it can feel like an intentional act of self-care.” She adds a caveat: Because sleep is so crucial, “if you're masturbating before bed, make sure the sexual excitement doesn't keep you up later than is healthy for you.”

No matter when you do it, there are many health benefits of self-pleasure. To start, Gunsaullus says it can help reduce stress, improve sleep and release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins. She adds, “For women, it can also help alleviate menstrual cramps and increase blood flow, which is great for overall sexual health. Plus, masturbation can boost your mood and body confidence, and help you be more in tune with your desires and needs. It’s a natural, healthy way to care for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.” Might be time to invest in a new toy, no?