Sexcare Is The New Self-Care

If you’ve been on Instagram within the past two years, you know that Sundays aren’t just Sundays anymore—they’ve morphed into #SelfcareSunday—a day dedicated to making time for yourself and putting your mental health first.

But what about your sexual health? We’re ready for a new take on #SelfcareSunday—one that shows your sexual wellness some love too. After all, sexual health has an impact on every facet of our lives, whether we realize it or not.

“Sexual health really is robust,” gynecologist Dr. Jessica Sheperd told Maria Shriver on the Today Show. “It filters into physical health, emotional health, and mental health and sometimes we put it on the backburner not realizing it’s part of our complete wellness.”

Ready to focus on your sexual well-being as a necessary part of your overall health? Us too! Meet Self-care Sunday’s sexy older sister: Sexcare Sunday!

How does one practice sexcare, you ask? That’s completely up to you! The goal is to get comfortable experimenting with your body and deciding what feels good. Read on for a few of our favorite ways to put yourself at the top of your Sunday (or any day!) to-do list.

Invest in a Good Lube
Sexcare tip #1—lubricant is your BFF. Whether you’re masturbating with your hands or a toy, lube is always a good idea. 

We’re going to let you in on another little sexcare secret: lubricant isn’t just for getting intimate. As we get older, become more stressed or start taking certain medications, our body’s natural lubrication might not be what it once was—and that’s okay (and completely normal)! It’s important for your vaginal health to invest in a quality personal lubricant that you can use anytime you need it.

Slip into Something Comfortable
Set the mood by dressing up in your favorite lingerie (yes—you absolutely can wear lingerie for yourself!), light a candle or two, and put on a sexy self-love playlist. Just like with traditional self-care, this is all about letting yourself relax, feeling confident AF and enjoying the time you’ve set aside for yourself.

Choose Your Pleasure
Okay, so you’ve got your lube, the mood is ~right~ and you’re ready to get to work. That just leaves one last thing—what kind of toy will get the job done? Will you select a classic clitoral vibe? Is multi-tasking important to you? If so, Butterfly Effect might be your go-to! As Dr. Shepard says, “pleasure is NOT a luxury, it’s a necessity,” so think about what experience will maximize your pleasure when picking out your toy.

Take It to the Tub
Some might argue that bubble baths are the *ultimate* form of self-care, and while we can’t downplay the power of a good bath bomb and nice glass of red—we do think there is a way to enhance the experience even more! Sure, you could use the shower-head method (an oldie but certainly a goodie)—or you can Make Waves with a bath-friendly toy designed specifically for water play! This toy works above and below the water to tantalize the clitoris with super soft silicone and 6 exhilarating vibrations.

Come Clean
While you should be cleaning your vibes before and after each use, we understand that sometimes whipping out your toy cleaner after a buzzworthy sex sesh is the last thing on your mind. That said, it really IS critical to keeping your vaginal healthy and your favorite vibrator bacteria free . If you’re not cleaning your toys regularly, we recommend adding a regular cleaning to your sexcare Sunday routine to not only avoid infection, but also keep your toys in tip-top condition!

Check for Lumps and Bumps
Not as sexy, but still just as necessary: self-examinations. Routinely examining your breasts and vulva keeps you in tune with your body, but even more importantly–it gives you the opportunity to check for any abnormalities or lumps in between doctor visits. Not sure how to go about it? Check out the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s guide to giving yourself a breast self-exam.

When it comes down to it, your sexual wellness routine is just as important as your skincare regimen or fitness schedule. Every part of your health is connected, so if you’re not taking the time to focus on your pleasure, you’re missing out on the key benefits that come with sexcare. And, if you still need some more convincing—here’s how masturbation is good for your health!