How much porn is too much?

[Tomas_]

Since I have exams coming up, I've been more stressed than usual. So to cope with that stress I watch porn, but I feel as if I've been watching too much to try and de-stress. So I want to know, how much porn watching is too much?

[Sam W]

Hi Tomas,

This is one of those questions where there is not an exact answer, since opinions on porn vary widely. The general rule is that porn watching becomes a concern if it either starts to feel like a compulsion (you don't want to do it, but you keep doing it anyway and feel like you can't stop) or it is interfering with your life (e.g. you're missing out on class, work, time with friends to watch porn).

If you're feeling worried, it might help to find some de-stress options besides porn to help you cope. When can help you come up with those, if you'd like. Too, you may even want to try masturbating sans porn, as that can get you that post-orgasm relaxed feeling without the worry that you're watching porn too much.

[Tomas_]

Thanks, I appreciate it. Just to add on, so I like video games, which means that can be a de-stress option as an alternative to porn. And so what you're saying is to masturbate without porn so I don't feel guilty about watching too much porn? I have sometimes missed homework because of porn, it has inferred with my life quite a bit but I will try to find other options to de-stress. Thanks again, I appreciate your help.

[Sam W]

You're welcome! And yes, if you're finding porn (or masturbation) is interfering with your life, then it's definitely time to find some other de-stress options to add to the mix. If you need more ideas, this article has some suggestions: Self-Care a La Carte

[Tomas_]

Would masturbating in the shower be a good alternative? Since I wouldn't be watching porn

[Sam W]

If that helps you relieve those feelings without disrupting the other things you need to be doing, then it is definitely an option to explore.