In part to mark Sexual Health Week, adult VR studio SexLikeReal (SLR) has announced the launch of its new “VR Self-Care Guide,” calling it “an evidence-backed VR self-care guide on stress, sleep, consent.”

“Healthy solo pleasure can support stress relief, sleep, and sexual confidence,” SLR’s Alex Novak wrote in a blog post presenting the self-care guide. “VR adds privacy, immersion, and focus. A clear understanding of your body and arousal helps many people feel less stressed and more confident over time.”

The guide suggests a number of benefits that can be derived from sex and masturbation, including citing Planned Parenthood to note that orgasms “release feel-good neurochemicals that can reduce stress for many people.”

The guide also calls out a connection between increased sexual activity and better sleep.

“More sleep, more sex; more sex, more sleep,” the guide quotes sleep scientist Dr Michele Lastella as saying (by way of Medical News Today), “Sexual activity with orgasm is associated with perceived improvements in sleep quality and falling asleep faster.”

SLR also noted benefits in “body awareness and confidence.”

“Solo exploration teaches preferences that can translate into more satisfying partnered sex,” Novak wrote. “As Sex therapist Melinda DeSeta, PhD says: ‘Masturbation can help people feel more positive and confident about their body.’”

The guide also notes ways in which “practicing arousal control” while masturbating and watching porn “can help some people carry skills into partnered sex without pressure.”

Under “edging and stop-start,” Novak advises readers to “practice slowly and focus on breathing.”

Novak also notes that VR porn “lets you choose performers, bodies, and dynamics that feel affirming, which can support body confidence over time.”

The new self-care guide isn’t the first time this summer that SLR has called out the benefits of masturbation and self-pleasure. In August, the company marked Masturbation Weekend, calling it “three days dedicated to celebrating pleasure, self-expression, and self-love.”

The new guide isn’t all about the benefits and positives of self-pleasure, though; Novak also observes the need for “balance” and the need to avoid over-indulgence.

“If use feels compulsive or interferes with daily life, scale back and talk to a professional or a sex therapist,” Novak advises.

You can read Novak’s full post and check out more from the SLR VR Self-Care Guide on the SLR blog.