Going back to sensations, let’s look again at touch.
The touch I suggested before came from another. That isn’t always an option, so here is another way for when you’re alone: the pinch!
You may be familiar with the idea of “pinching yourself” to figure out if you’re in a dream or not, because of the logic that you can’t feel pain (which is…debatable) in a dream. A slap is also a commonly used tactic in media to get someone out of whatever headspace they’re in and snap them back to normal.
Odds are you’re not going to be good at slapping yourself, but a pinch, a stubbed toe, or other small spark of pain may do the trick! Barring that, the sensation of hot water, or ice, could also assist. Anything that sort of shocks the system, so to speak, has a definite way of bringing you right back to the present moment, and out of your thoughts.
Of course, once you’ve oriented again, you do now have to focus on staying out of those thoughts, but this may be a quick way to remedy the situation and get you on track to making positive progress.
The major ‘touch’ sensations are: pressure, pain, pleasure, chills, and temperature. Pleasure may be a bit harder to come by, as thinking of masturbation in moments like these may not come easily. At least, it doesn’t for me – but if you can get yourself off in the moment, more power to you! If you can’t, these other methods may be helpful (and maybe you can go back to that to after you’re clear to keep yourself in the clear).
Of these, I find pain and temperature to be the most accessible in the moment, but you may find other ones easier for you to access.
Please use whatever you can, to help you get out of the headspace!
