Close Menu
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ❤️ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERS✏️
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • 📰 PRESS 📺
    • THE SOBEES 🐝
    • CONTACT 📧
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS 🍺
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES 🍾
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS 🍸
    • READY TO DRINK 🥤
    • BEHIND THE BAR 🍋‍🟩
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS 🧠💪🏼
    • MENTAL HEALTH 🧠
    • RELATIONSHIPS 🤟🏽
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY 🖋️
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! 🗣️
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART 🛍️
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT ⁉️
    • COMING OUT SOBER 🏳️‍🌈
    • 🏆 CONTENT
    • ✂️CURATED CRAFTS🎨
    • FASHION 👠
    • SHOP 🛒
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT 🔦
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION 💻
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT 📚
    • MOVIE REVIEWS 🍿
    • MUSIC 🎶
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND 🎙️
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST 🎧
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS 📺
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! 🧳
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO 🔮
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW 🧘🏻‍♀️
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ❤️ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERS✏️
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • 📰 PRESS 📺
    • THE SOBEES 🐝
    • CONTACT 📧
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS 🍺
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES 🍾
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS 🍸
    • READY TO DRINK 🥤
    • BEHIND THE BAR 🍋‍🟩
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS 🧠💪🏼
    • MENTAL HEALTH 🧠
    • RELATIONSHIPS 🤟🏽
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY 🖋️
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! 🗣️
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART 🛍️
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT ⁉️
    • COMING OUT SOBER 🏳️‍🌈
    • 🏆 CONTENT
    • ✂️CURATED CRAFTS🎨
    • FASHION 👠
    • SHOP 🛒
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT 🔦
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION 💻
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT 📚
    • MOVIE REVIEWS 🍿
    • MUSIC 🎶
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND 🎙️
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST 🎧
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS 📺
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! 🧳
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO 🔮
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW 🧘🏻‍♀️
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
Home - What Rediscovering My Relationship with Pleasure Has Taught Me About Healing, Optimal Wellness and Sustainable Energy
SOBER FOODIE

What Rediscovering My Relationship with Pleasure Has Taught Me About Healing, Optimal Wellness and Sustainable Energy

Megan SwanBy Megan SwanMarch 7, 20237 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Photo credit: Aaron Burden via Unsplash

Think back for a minute; where did you learn about sex first? In school? What grade? What was the message you actually received?  

I have some vivid memories of those classes in particular. I think Sex Ed really got more interesting in Jr. High School. In the US would be called Middle School. There was a ‘Question Box .’ We all got a piece of paper, and everyone had to write something down to protect anonymity. At first, everyone was too shy to ask juicy questions, but we got some real answers as the semester went on. 

What I don’t clearly remember, mind you, was if we were ever given the message that sex is pleasurable. Or more precisely, that you would want to have sex solely for the sake of pleasure. I think it was implied when we discussed ‘pleasure zones,’ but not really. That is to say; it was tied up in a little bow with this idea that it should be with someone you ‘love.’  

Modern Day Sex Ed

My ten-year-old studied reproduction this year; it was referred to as Sex Ed, and there was a parents’ zoom meeting to ‘prepare’ the parents. In general, it was well done, except that pleasure was not mentioned. In fact, it was very clear messaging that the parents should emphasize that it is only between partners who love each other. Granted, because I live in Mexico and 90+% are Catholic, it didn’t surprise me. However, it got me thinking back to what exact message I had received.  

When it came to helping my son study for his exam, there was only one thing that mentioned actual sex at all in the textbook, and that was the section on contraceptives. Which, even then, was just a list of what your options are, not how they work or where you put them. Can you believe there were ten pages on each sex’s reproductive parts and how they work but no actual mention of how they will contact each other? My son was asking me, so how does the sperm reach the ovum? Again, maybe this is how they present the information in Gr. 5 and build from there. I’m not so sure. In Canada, Sex Ed starts in Gr. 4, and I remember it being pretty detailed right from the get-go. 

What do you remember?

Now fast forward to being in my 40s and post two natural births. I signed myself up for the sex education no one ever received in school. You may have learned a lot in your first several decades of ‘experimentation’ as I did, but I guarantee you, you didn’t learn everything. I mean, the topic of sexuality is a deep and complex one. The part I want to focus on here that I just learned last year is the power of pleasure.

I learned not only sexual pleasure, which is especially powerful, but just pleasures in general, like the lovely feeling of running the softness of your hands across your face or having someone rub your back. Even platonic pleasure is healing, and I think we are unaware of its true powers.  

Photo credit Brooke Lark via Unsplash

Two Key Takeaways

As a Wellness Coach, two key takeaways immediately dawned on me and have become a part of my coaching. Pleasure practices should be a wellness tool that everyone has in their wellness toolbox. Second, that pleasure is a quality that should be applied to all other aspects of our lives that support our health and wellness, such as eating, sleeping, resting, exercise/movement, mindful practices, stress management, community, and processing our emotions.  

I’m not saying that all those things should feel pleasurable all the time, but if we ask ourselves from a lens of pleasure: “What options in each category bring me the most pleasure and make me feel the best in my body?” We would make better choices that would be easier to maintain. Meaning if we stand back and stop approaching our health and wellness routines with a should mentality and instead loosen up a bit and tune into our higher, more long-term goals of wanting to feel good (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) we would start to make more aligned choices that maybe don’t give us results fast but over time do because they are enjoyable, bring us platonic pleasure and make us feel good in our hearts, minds, and bodies. 

Sexual Energy is a tool.

Sexual energy is also a tool that I think could be taken more advantage of in terms of self-pleasure practices being stigmatized or put in a box that they are only for single people or for when your partner is away. What if you looked at conscious self-pleasure practices as mindfulness practice in the same way you would approach starting a meditation or breathwork practice? Not that they give you the exact same benefits, although there is some overlap, more so in the sense that self-pleasure practiced daily or even bi-weekly is an incredible tool we can use for managing stress, connecting with ourselves, understanding ourselves on a deeper level, and profound internal healing.  

One of my favorite practices is the Microcosmic Orbits Meditation which essentially has you practice moving energy (which eventually you can use ‘turn on’ energy or sexual energy but through visualization, not touch) through each of the energy centers or chakras of the body. The chakras are where each of the body’s major glands is located.  

'Hermeticists and other esoteric philosophers noticed that every chakra is linked to an endocrine gland: the crown chakra with the pineal, the brow centre with the pituitary and hypothalamus, the throat centre with the thyroid gland, the heart centre with the thymus gland, solar plexus with the pancreas, sacral chakra with the reproductive organs and the base chakra with adrenals." 

Read more here and check out these diagrams to help you visualize: (https://www.organicindiaclean.com/blog7.html)

Connect with yourself.

Even if you aren’t into the idea of chakras, you can consider the power of mentally connecting with the power of your endocrine system, visualizing where each major gland is in the body and understanding what it does. 

The bottom line, our body is designed to experience pleasure in all things that keep us healthy: eating, sleeping, resting, moving our bodies, connecting with others physically and emotionally, orgasm, natural childbirth, and even in the birthing of new ideas and creative expression of our feelings and of who we are. Pleasure is healing, nurturing, and energizing – an essential wellness tool.  

Consider what narrative you were taught about pleasure.

Consider what narrative you were taught as a kid about pleasure. Is it always followed up with guilt? Do you see it as a healing tool? Do you use it for stress management or calming your nervous system?

Here is another option for the guided meditation technique, search ‘microcosmic orbit’ on your preferred meditation app. I like Insight Timer because it is free and has a wide variety of mindful practices and tools for clients to enjoy. Like all wellness practices, you might have to experiment with a few options before finding the one that works best for you; guided meditations are no exception.  

If you want to explore this element of your optimal wellness, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Big love + optimal wellness, 

M


WE DO RECOVER: Learn more about Sober Curator & Wellness Coach Megan Swan’s Sober Story


A Curated List of Sexy Music Videos

Check out this article from Huff Post: 40 Sexy Songs That Will Instantly Put You In The Mood | HuffPost Life




A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Resource Guide

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

follow the sober curator on youtube

Subscribe to The Sober Curator on YouTube

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Megan Swan
  • Website
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Megan Swan is an expert at holding intuitive compassionate space for people. She loves to inspire others to live life to fullest and expand their vision of what they are capable of. She also loved dancing on top of the bar, now she just does that on Instagram.

Related Posts

Happy Anniversary to a Lover Lost

Happy Anniversary to a Lover Lost

October 28, 2025
Functional Movement_ The Key to Lifelong Strength and Flexibility wellness as a way of life megan swan

Functional Movement: The Key to Lifelong Strength and Flexibility 

October 2, 2025
How To Discover the Secret Benefits of Self-Hypnosis: Lower Stress & Boost Confidence 

How To Discover the Secret Benefits of Self-Hypnosis: Lower Stress & Boost Confidence 

September 9, 2025

Comments are closed.

Sober City Mobile App
SOBERSCRIBE AND GET ON THE LIST!
7 events found.
  • Week of October 27
  • Previous week
  • Next week
Notice
No events scheduled for October 27, 2025.
7:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Elliott Bay Books Seattle
$28.00
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision 309 Social Club 309 East 49th Street @ 2nd Ave, New York
$15.00
Notice
No events scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Notice
No events scheduled for October 30, 2025.
7:00 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents:  HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

The Manhattan Mirage 265 W. 37th Street at 8th Avenue , New York City
See website
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

1009 West 13th Street Vancouver, WA 98660 1009 West 13th Street, Vancouver
Free
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 – $4995
7:00 am
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)

Falcon Stadium 4900 Stadium Boulevard, Air Force Academy
See website
All Day
Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures
November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

$1999
Capetown, South Africa
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

$4700
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 – $4995

Week of Events

Mon 27
Tue 28
Wed 29
Thu 30
Fri 31
Sat 1
Sun 2
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats If you’re in recovery—whether newly sober or years into your journey—and ready to reconnect with your purpose, build meaningful connections,

$3445 – $4995
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai Join us for a rejuvenating week-long yoga retreat near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area

$1999
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa

November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa Luxury reset, sightseeing, sobriety and safari in South Africa.

$4700
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson Wellness writer Suzanne Warye discusses The Sober Shift: A Modern-Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life, alongside life and sobriety coach Casey McGuire Davidson.

$28.00
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision Halloween Fright Night Get ready for a spooktacular evening at 309 Social Club! Join us for Halloween Fright Night, a special movie night guaranteed to bring the chills and

$15.00
October 31, 2025 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N. TICKETS:  OCTOBER: $30 DAY OF/AT THE DOOR: $40  ​ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, 2025 Mark your calendars for a night

See website
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe Get ready to rock your favorite costume and sing your heart out at our Soberoke Costume Party - a night

Free
November 1, 2025 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)

See website
View Calendar
The Sober Curator
Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok YouTube Pinterest
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • LINKS DISCLAIMER
  • EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • REFUND POLICY
  • DON’T SELL MY INFO
  • DATA SUBJECT REQUEST FORM
  • CONTACT US
© 2025 The Sober Curator - Benefits of a Alcohol Free Lifestyle

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.