We Americans are stressed out, and it’s easy to understand why. We haven’t given up the idea of the "American Dream," working hard while bypassing weekends and family time to further our careers. Yet today, we’re also dealing with so many setbacks. There’s lack of job opportunities, cheap overseas labor that increases job competition, soaring costs of higher education, and chronic health problems. So what can improve these problems? Sex toys!

I’m not going to say that sex toys are the answer to the ever-expanding black hole of problems we’re dealing with, but I’m also not going to say they’re not. The health benefits of masturbation are well documented, and sex toys are the perfect way to connect with your body and give yourself some much-deserved pleasure and happiness.

Here are five reasons why Americans could benefit from starting or adding to their sex toy collection.

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We're Stressed Out

Don’t reach for your prescribed remedy just yet. While anxiety and stress are deeply ingrained in American culture (thanks, Puritan founders!), and we’ve developed endless pills, potions, and spa retreats for easing our tension, we can’t forget about the original stress-buster: orgasm! In the 19th century, doctors used to manually stimulate women’s vaginas to cure them of "hysteria." They did get one thing right: orgasms are powerful stress-busters. Upon climax, a surge of feel-good chemicals is released into the brain, making both men and women feel more sociable, content, safe, and relaxed.

For the sex toy version of an apple a day, reach for a Pocket Rocket or a Hitachi Magic Wand. These two sex toy classics are basic, reliable (they always get the job done!), and always dependable for releasing the feel-good chemicals that help combat depression and anxiety.

We Need Exercise

Time to get pumping without the expensive gym membership. While a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for fighting obesity, the first step to a healthier body might be more exciting that you’d think. Studies have shown that sexual release can also help foster an overall sense of health and well-being by improving sleep and lowering stress.

For fat-burning fun, men and women should turn to toys that require physical activity; a dildo with a suction cup for hands-free riding or a vibrating cock ring to be used during sex are both perfect. In this manner, not only are users getting the chemical benefits of orgasm, but they’re also burning calories from the physical exercise! What’s more motivating than a great orgasm?

We All Like to Feel Good About Ourselves

Sex is like chess. If you know the rules to the game, you’re going to be much more confident playing it. That’s why sex toys provide the perfect opportunity for self-exploration, to help you discover what gives you the most pleasure. The confidence that comes from understanding your own sensuality translates into everything from the way you walk, to the way you talk, all the way to your self-confidence in the bedroom.

Fun Fact: The current generation of young Americans (Millenials) have reported more self-confidence than any of their recent generational predecessors. Meanwhile, sex toy sales are skyrocketing in 2014. Coincidence?

Your best bet for boosting your carnal self-knowledge is a fully-loaded sex toy kit. A women’s kit might contain several shapes and sizes of vibrators, wands, and anal toys. A kit for men might have several sizes of cock rings and anal toys, a penis pump, and a plush masturbator. If you can’t find a kit that is comprehensive enough for your preferences, make your own! Browse the top-sellers in your sex toy store of choice and put together a group of toys based on your interests. Don’t forget to read the user reviews. They can really help to nudge you in the right direction.

Our Relationships Need Variety and "Spice"

Have a three-way! Experiment with foreplay! I won’t bother listing divorce rate statistics (spoiler alert: they’re depressing), but one of the most common pieces of advice from relationship experts is for couples to keep the spice alive with communication and to make time for romance. Why not spend a few hours together scouring through Kinkly and reading about positions or toys you’ve never tried to see what turns both of you on? You might get fired up by something you never knew existed!

For example, maybe oral sex has been consistently great, but you’ve been using the same fail-proof moves for months. Why not bring a vibrating tongue ring into the mix as foreplay? It slides onto your tongue to add tons of sexy, novel sensation and stimulation for your partner (perfect for both men and women). What if both of you love the idea of a three-way, but hate the idea of bringing a third person into the bedroom? Get your man a masturbator or bring something extra for her pleasure. Dildos can be phallic and realistic, or creatively designed for different kinds of stimulation. Masturbators can be downright stylish these days.

We Need to Slow Down

As Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it." For those of us living in the U.S. (and nearly every other industrialized nation), a hectic, technology-filled lifestyle has us juggling more than we can handle. To counteract the often toxic effects of an over-stimulating lifestyle, many people turn to meditation - a practice largely based in practicing mindfulness, or focusing fully in the present moment.

Get the best of both worlds by practicing meditative masturbation. Instead of letting your mind drift to a million different places, just focus as fully as possible on the present moment, concentrating on how everything feels, right down to the last detail. A hands-free toy will prevent you from multi-tasking. It’s like when you take your time to savor a meal, rather than just scarfing it down. It’s super satisfying, and strangely grounding. Think of it as a mini-vacation for your mind. If you’re like most Americans, you’re due for at least a few moments where you aren’t worrying about...anything at all.

Oh, and while these points were tailored around the stressors of U.S. culture, the benefits of healthy masturbation can be applied to just about anyone. And if a sex toy makes that experience more satisfying, well, how can you argue with that?

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