Let’s face it – with porn being just a click away, it’s often hard to resist the temptation to simply bring up one of your favorite sites and knock one out before bed. But if you’re worried that your porn habits are getting out of hand, or if you find yourself asking yourself how much porn is too much, it might be time to explore some healthier alternatives. So close your incriminating tabs and keep reading for some sex-positive alternatives to Pornhub.
Does Porn Impact Mental Health?
Before we dive into the alternatives, you might want to understand why we’re making these suggestions in the first place. Well, if we follow the science, we know that excessive porn consumption can have significant effects on your mental wellbeing. Not only can it lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety, but some men even report experiencing decreased self-esteem and confidence. And most notably, porn addiction can interfere with your daily life, impacting everything from your work and dating life to your sexual function as a whole.
The Effects of Porn on Relationships
Here’s the important part – porn doesn’t just affect you, it can also impact your relationships. Studies have proved that men who watch too much porn often end up with unrealistic expectations about sex and body image, and this can create tension and dissatisfaction when it comes to real-life sexual encounters.
And if you’re in a long-term relationship, things get even worse. Not only do some partners end up feeling inadequate when comparing themselves to the endless scroll of bodies on Pornhub, but many may also feel betrayed, especially if they’re present when their other half is enthusiastically engaging in porn use. And look, we’re not saying that watching porn is cheating – but why opt for digital when you’ve got the real thing right in front of you?
Healthy Alternatives to Porn
Now that we’ve covered the why, let’s get into the how. Here are six healthy alternatives to porn that can help satisfy your needs while promoting better mental health and relationships:
Audio Erotica
Aside from the impact on your own sex life, it’s also fair to question watching porn from an ethical point of view. Many victims of human trafficking end up unwillingly on porn sites, and many former actors have spoken out about the hostile and often criminal practices that go into making adult videos.
But that doesn’t mean you need to shut the door on erotic content entirely; many communities on Tumblr and other sites are built around erotic audios, which are basically vocal versions of sexting. These are typically created by individuals with the aim of sharing their work, so you can download and engage with their content without wondering if they were truly consenting.
Building Emotional Intimacy with a Partner
Often, the drive to watch porn comes from a need for connection and intimacy. Why not redirect that energy towards building a stronger emotional bond with your partner? This could involve having deep conversations, sharing your feelings, or engaging in non-sexual physical affection like hugging or holding hands. Strengthening your emotional connection can also lead to a more satisfying sexual relationship as well, especially if your partner has been feeling neglected due to your porn habits.
Sex Toys
You don’t need porn to spice up your sex life – why not bring the porn set to your bedroom? From BDSM tools, vibrators, anal toys and our best selling dick pumps, there are plenty of ways you can add new flavor to your sex life. And if you’re reconnecting with your partner after quitting porn, these new toys can fill the void that the P word leaves as you adjust to a life without the infinite video scroll.
Written Erotica
If you’ve never heard of smut, you’re missing out! Remember those Mills and Boons books at the back of the library? With the internet, you can now access any form of written erotica that you can imagine, and it can be a great way to engage with your fantasies in a healthy way. Who knows, you could even end up writing your own.
Engaging in Educational Content
If you’re still feeling the urge to press that worn-out ‘P’ key into your search bar, why not instead do some research on why the porn industry can be so unhealthy for those involved? And while we’re not saying that every porn star hates their job – or that it’s an inherently evil industry – there are enough question marks to persuade you that staying away from it is a net benefit for both your health and your relationship, as well as your conscience.
Final Thoughts
Listen, changing habits takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself as you explore these alternatives to porn, and don’t give yourself too much of a hard time if you do end up falling off the wagon, so to speak. Ultimately, making positive changes isn’t about being perfect, but about making progress towards a healthier, more fulfilling sex life.
