This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Are you using porn as a coping mechanism or a distraction from life's challenges? If so, it's time to take a step back and reassess your habits.
While porn addiction isn't officially recognized as a disorder, experts agree that it can have a significant impact on our lives. 'I try not to pathologize masturbating or watching porn,' says Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex therapist and author of She Comes First. 'Instead, I encourage people to think about whether their use of porn is helping them get closer to the kind of life they want, or whether it's taking them farther away from it.'
Vienna Pharaon, a couples therapist based in New York City, adds that porn can be both expansive and isolating. 'It can create connection, but it can also be numbing, distracting, and cause disconnection.'
So, how can you break free from porn and develop healthier habits? Start by getting clear on what you're trying to avoid. 'If you're using porn as a way to self-medicate or numb out, it's essential to get to the bottom of what you're distracting yourself from,' says Pharaon.
Next, ask yourself what else you'd rather be doing with your time. 'Use watching porn as a reward for doing those things,' suggests Kerner. 'Maybe wait to do it until you've finished your workout or made plans with someone to connect in real life.'
Finally, detach certain activities from masturbation. 'Maybe being on Tinder or Instagram isn't the best time to be masturbating,' says Kerner.
By following these strategies, you can develop a healthier relationship with porn and use it as a tool for personal growth, rather than a source of distraction or addiction.
