#Abstinence, or #celibacy, can have its own #benefits, and more than one in four #Americans say

#Abstinence, or #celibacy, can have its own #benefits, and more than one in four #Americans say they haven't had #sex in a year. This #trend has been increasing since the #1990s, with 40% of Americans living without a partner, up from 30% in 1990. Some may be #dating and holding out for the "#rightperson" or single and celibate because of obstacles like too little time or bad #health.

However, sometimes people embrace #asexuality or #graysexuality as their #identity rather than a #problem. There are many reasons why people might choose to put sex on the #backburner or give it up. Some reasons include:

1. #Control over #impulses: Abstinence can put you back in command, making considered choices. You may need to clear your head, as sex can dominate your #mind and affect #people's #emotionalstate, #brainchemistry, and #hormones.

2. Choosing to date while taking sex off the table: Dating while taking sex off the table allows you to explore people you might not have considered before or focus on one person and develop a true, #resilient #friendship.

3. Choosing whether a relationship is healthy: Abstinence can help people who are compulsive about sex and avoid #obsessive, #hotrelationships.

4. Being too full of other emotions: Grieving a loss, grieving a breakup or #death, or #healing from #trauma or #addiction can also lead to abstinence.

5. Having other priorities: Abstinence can allow you to focus on yourself and pursue new positive paths. Some people become abstinent when developing their #spirituality or #creativity, changing #careers, moving, providing care, or managing long-term health issues for the better.

6. Improving sex: It's possible to improve your #sexual response by taking a step back and focusing on #masturbation or #touching that stays within certain parameters. This can be especially important for women who don't have #orgasms through #intercourse. Learn to set limits and enjoy kissing and massage without taking it forward.

7. #Savoring: Having #sex whenever your #desire rises above a 3 out of 10 is like eating an entire #meal whenever your hunger rises above a 3 out of 10. Giving yourself some time to #remember what it feels like to want sex and really savoring that feeling of desire will heighten your senses, make you more present, and boost your enjoyment of the #entireexperience, from #flirting to #touching.

If you're not having sex (or not enjoying it) because of health or relationship problems, look for options. But there's nothing wrong with taking a #break, dialing back to activities other than intercourse, saying no to a particular partner or situation, or choosing to skip the whole thing. There are plenty of other ways to give and receive love, feel alive, and be happy.