Celibacy for Men Guide: The Mental Health Benefits of Celibacy and Why Some People Make That Choice

USING ABSTINENCE FOR RECHARGING YOUR SPIRIT, DISCOVERING YOUR PASSIONS, ACHIEVING GREATER INTIMACY

Celibacy is a voluntary vow of sexual abstinence. In some cases, it can also be a promise to remain unmarried. Celibacy can look different for each person, so there's no single way to practice it. Some people abstain from all sexual activity (including penetrative and nonpenetrative sex), while others engage in things like outercourse. Although celibacy is usually associated with religion, there are a number of other reasons why someone might choose to remain celibate.

Few things are as personal as the decisions you make about your sex life. Choosing when to have sex and with whom is a private process, and everyone comes to their own choices about sex. Some people enjoy a full sex life, while others choose to abstain from some or all sexual activity. There are benefits to both options. People who choose to be celibate can find that not having sex helps their mental health. Some say that sex was a distraction or preoccupation for them and found that abstinence helps to keep their minds clear. Other people find that sex causes them stress, and they're happier not worrying about it.

Aside from avoiding pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, many men practice celibacy for other reasons. Sexual celibacy refers to restriction or avoidance of all kinds of sex. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral while others believe that celibacy refers to restriction of vaginal sex only. Kissing, cuddling and other intimacy acts are also considered a part of sexual abstinence for some people.

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