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First Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Does self-pleasure boost productivity? Swedish firm offers 30-minute masturbation breaks to employees
Erica Lust, the founder of a Swedish adult entertainment company, said she started offering 30-minute masturbation breaks to her employees during Covid-19 as a means to reduce stress. The experiment soon received a positive response, with employees feeling 'less aggression' and 'more productive', prompting the firm to make the policy permanent. So, how does self-pleasure impact your productivity? read more Erika Lust, the Barcelona‑based owner of an adult entertainment company, now gives her employees a daily 30-minute masturbation break to cope with stress at work. AI generated Image for Representation. Pixabay Coffee breaks, smoke breaks and even quick bathroom runs have long given employees a moment to recharge during busy workdays. But one boss has taken workplace timeouts to a completely new level. Erika Lust, the Barcelona‑based owner of an adult entertainment company, now gives her employees a daily 30-minute masturbation break dedicated entirely to 'self‑pleasure.' The idea began as an experiment during the Covid‑19 lockdowns, when Lust noticed rising anxiety among her staff. But within a year, the results were clear: employees reported feeling 'less aggression' and 'more productive' after their daily breaks, prompting Lust to make the policy permanent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But does masturbation really come with health benefits? And can it genuinely help reduce stress? Here's what we know. Inside Erika Lust's 'masturbation station' experiment What started as a bold idea to fight workplace stress during the pandemic has now become one of the most talked‑about company policies in the world. In 2021, Lust launched a trial scheme giving employees a daily 30‑minute masturbation break and even set up a private room in her office for it. Lust said the room, nicknamed the 'masturbation station,' gave staff a safe, comfortable space to unwind, and it has been so well received that sex toy manufacturers have even supplied the company with tools to help get the job done. 'I value my employees and I know that when they feel good, we do good work. There is nothing more harmful to a successful work environment than stress,' Lust told The News Movement. Erika Lust set up a masturbation station" in her office that gave staff a safe, comfortable space to unwind. Image courtesy: WIkimedia Commons But the policy, she explained, was about more than just helping her team cope with lockdown anxiety. 'I also wanted to do something to normalise masturbation on a broader scale. Sexual wellbeing is deeply intertwined with your overall mental health and physical health and should be treated with the same respect and resources,' Lust said. Erika told The News Movement that her staff swears by the re-worked version of the famous 'An apple a day' proverb. 'We always laugh at, 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away…as an orgasm a day..' Is masturbation really healthy? Experts agree that masturbation, when done in moderation, offers a range of physical and mental health benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, self‑pleasure triggers the release of hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin and endorphins, which can lift mood, reduce stress levels and even promote better sleep. Sex therapists say it can be an effective way to relax and release pent‑up tension. 'Masturbation is healthy. Masturbation is typical, normal… sometimes to relax, sometimes to experience pleasure, sometimes to relieve anxiety or self‑medicate against some kind of difficult mood or emotion,' explained Ian Kerner, a sex therapist and author, in an interview with InsideHook. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Self‑pleasure triggers the release of hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, prolactin and endorphins, which can lift mood, reduce stress levels and even promote better sleep. Image for Representation Medical studies have also linked masturbation to improved blood circulation to the genital area, which may benefit prostate health in men and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections by flushing out bacteria. It can also support better sexual function. For women, orgasms from sex or masturbation can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, a group of muscles in the lower abdomen that support the bladder, bowel and uterus. This, in turn, can help combat leakage and incontinence, an issue that affects about one in three women at some point in their lives. Masturbation can also boost self‑esteem and give people a stronger sense of self‑knowledge and control over their bodies. All of these things are good for your self‑image, well‑being and ability to withstand life's stresses, notes Verywell Mind. But while the health benefits of masturbation are clear, whether the workplace is the right place for it remains a topic of debate. What are your thoughts? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Why A Filmmaker's 'Masturbation Breaks' Policy At Work Is Trending Again
A workplace policy introduced by Swedish filmmaker Erika Lust is back in the news, nearly four years after it first caught public attention. In 2021, Lust, who runs a production company in Barcelona, made headlines for allowing her staff to take a daily 30-minute "masturbation break" - a move she said was aimed at improving mental health and productivity. The idea was first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lust, who runs an adult entertainment company in Barcelona, Spain, had said in her blog post at that time, "I decided to dedicate Masturbation Month to my team by giving them an extra 30-minutes off every day to use for their self-pleasure routine. I set up a private room in the office, which we call 'the masturbation station' to provide them with a safe, comfortable space for their masturbation break." This bizarre, new-age work-break trend had stunned many on the internet back then, and now it's going viral again, with several news sites publishing the story, sparking a conversation on managing mental health at the workplace and prompting renewed debate around boundaries, workplace culture and employee well-being. What Forced Erika Lust To Announce Masturbation Break? In her post, Lust wrote that she started noticing her team and herself struggling a year into the pandemic, in which millions lost their lives. She said that the pandemic started to take its toll on everyone, and she found that her staff was less focused, more agitated and overall more anxious. "As someone who's been leading a company with 40+ employees for over a decade, I believe that there is nothing more harmful to a successful work environment than stress," her 2021 blog post read. Lust claimed that it kills creativity, makes people feel less confident in themselves and causes problems in communication. "I wanted to do something to help my team cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic," she wrote, adding that she started giving her staff a masturbation break. The filmmaker, best known for her work in feminist adult cinema, said the measure was part of a wider effort to destigmatise sexuality and prioritise emotional well-being in the workplace. In 2024, she told The News Movement that masturbation "gets rid of anxiety". The story has gained traction again as workplace well-being becomes a topic of global conversation. The return to office life, rising burnout levels and demands for more flexible work environments have triggered fresh scrutiny of what employers owe their workers beyond salaries. Despite the renewed attention, there's no sign the policy has been widely adopted beyond Lust's company. On her part, Lust has maintained that the goal was never publicity but to foster a safe and open space for her team.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: Porn and violence in the 'digital age crackdown': Are children safe online?
However, despite a nine-month lead-in for the likes of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X, it seems there are still major issues to be ironed out. As it turns out, children are still able to access adult-themed content, including hardcore pornography. Irish Independent Technology Editor Adrian Weckler created child user accounts to test out any age-related barriers that may be in place on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X. 'I used a new computer, a new browser, nothing that had any fingerprints of me or my previous browsing history,' he said. 'None of them asked me to do anything but self-declare my age. And most of them allowed me to watch full adult content, full intimate sexual content, torture videos, extreme violence, and lots of other things.' In the UK, it's a similar story, as enhanced age verification checks for adult-related online material come into effect today, amid a storm of privacy concerns. 'It's faced a huge amount of criticism, especially within the Conservative Party,' says Sophie Peachey, Assistant News Editor with The News Movement. 'A lot of people are worrying that it's overreaching, and that it limits free speech and it's intrusive, especially when you feel like you're in sort of a surveillance state being watched online.' On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Kevin Doyle is joined by Adrian Weckler and Sophie Peachey, to try to answer what might seem like a simple question, though one that has become increasingly complicated – is it even possible to keep children safe on the internet?
Time Out
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time Out
What is a conclave and how is a new pope decided?
After the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, his funeral mass is thought to have attracted 250,000 people to St Peter's Square, and 140,000 lined up on the streets of Rome for his funeral procession. The death of a pope traditionally triggers nine days of official mourning known as the 'novendiale', but after that it's time to decide on his successor – it's time for a conclave. The process of electing a new pope has always been shrouded in secrecy, but thanks to some research (and a cleverly marketed Oscar-nominated feature film) we do know a fair bit about how the next Holy Father is decided. Read on for everything you need to know about the conclave. What is a conclave? It's the gathering of the College of Cardinals to elect the new Bishop of Rome – a.k.a., the Pope. Senior members of the Catholic Church (who are under the age of 80) gather from their accommodation at Casa Santa Marta to attend rounds of votes in the Sistine Chapel, handing in their phones, swearing an oath of secrecy and having no contact with the outside world for its duration. Three of the last five Popes have been elected on day two of the conclave (which is what we're on now), but their length has varied enormously throughout the centuries. In fact, a conclave in the thirteenth century lasted a staggering two years and nine months following the death of Pope Clement IV. How is a new pope decided? So, what actually happens? Well, the Dean of the College of Cardinals will say 'extra omnes' which means 'everyone out'. There are no speeches, no debates – the men sit and vote. The first took place on Wednesday afternoon, and after that four are scheduled each day until one Cardinal receives a two-thirds majority. This year, according to the Guardian, there are 133 Cardinals voting. If a vote results in no conclusive winner, all the papers are burned in a stove with a chemical to produce black smoke. This billows out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, and signifies to the world that the conclave will continue. Once there is a winner, and he has accepted his new role as the 'supreme pontiff', the smoke produced is white. The new Pope is then taken to the Room of Tears to change into a cassock (various gown sizes are made to ensure all outcomes are covered – literally) before heading to St Peter's Basilica's main balcony. Confused? The recent Oscar-nominated feature film Conclave reportedly does a pretty good job at replicating everything we know about the process. It's so accurate, in fact, that cardinals have reportedly been watching in prep for this conclave. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The News Movement (@thenewsmovement) At the time of writing, three votes have taken place and resulted in black smoke billowing from the Vatican's chimney – which means no decision has been made. You can read about all the contenders in detail here. How to watch the conclave live If you're so gripped with the Vatican drama that you can't bear to tear your eyes away, there's a livestream available on YouTube, courtesy of the Associated Press.
The Independent
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Molly-Mae Hague addresses confusing response to her ‘favourite' film of the year
Molly-Mae Hague has admitted she 'panicked' when she was asked to name her favourite film of the year on the Baftas red carpet. The former Love Island star gave a confusing response when she was quizzed by a journalist from The News Movement on her favourite release of 2025. Hague gave the answer 'I did enjoy Nosferatu ', referring to the Oscar-nominated Robert Eggers horror film, but fans quickly pointed out that the influencer had previously posted a vlog online declaring her hatred for the horror film, giving it 'a literal two out of 10'. One fan remarked online: 'She literally said on her vlog that she hated it and thought it was awful,' as another added: 'Molly babe we know you didn't like it'. One person added: 'I thought she said she watched it and didn't like it hahahaha.' Another said: 'I fear Molly Mae is me whenever I'm caught off guard and say the exact opposite of what I feel.' Hague chimed in on the comments, admitting: 'Completely panicked'. In her original review of the vampire film, Hague said: 'Last night guys I went to the cinema to see a horror and I was really upset because it had Lily-Rose Depp, who I'm obsessed with she's absolutely stunning, but it was bad. I really really didn't enjoy it. It was a literal two out of 10.' She added that it 'doesn't take much' to impress her when watching films, adding, 'I will literally watch anything'. 'I would say I'm a big film fanatic,' she added. 'One of my passions is films. Going to the cinema is one of my actual favourite things to do because I love finding new good films. I've always loved films, especially horrors.' The film, which was given five stars by The Independent 's film critic Clarisse Loughrey, stars Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok with a supporting cast that includes Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult. The remake of the classic 1922 horror film was nominated for four Oscars and marks Eggers' biggest box office success to date, after his work on The Northman, The Witch and The Lighthouse. In The Independent 's five-star review, Loughrey wrote: 'In Robert Eggers's Nosferatu, the vampire is reincarnated. He has shed his sparkle, his languid melancholy, his cobweb-speckled absurdity. He comes for you now – yes, you – as the murmuring voice in the dark, the one that calls your desires perverse and your soul unnatural.' Loughrey added: 'Eggers's interpretation of the classic novel, via the classic silent film, is not only a luxurious, Gothic revelation – it's also one of the most profoundly, seductively frightening horrors in years, all because its terrors seem to crawl right out from our own stomachs.'
