You may find a lifetime's commitment a bit much to ask but a period of celibacy can be very therapeutic.

Some famous people have proved that they all are, or have been at some time, celibate. Sir Isaac Newton was a lifelong celibate, Morrissey managed quite a few years and Stephen Fry clocked up 15, during which he was a vocal advocate of nil nookie. Other proud celibates include Ann Widdecome, Sir Cliff Richard and Agony Aunt, Irma Kutz.

Celibacy can give you the opportunity to spend time on you and what you really want without the distractions of sexual relationships. And it is especially useful nay advisable if you have just come out of a serious relationship or had a run of bastards. If you decide to give up sex for, say, six months, it gives you time to heal from previous hurts. It helps you get your ex out of your system without rebounding into another relationship and it does wonders for your self- esteem if your most recent sexual encounters have left you feeling used. Kissing is still allowed!

Penny broke up from a 10-year relationship and embarked on a marathon sex orgy for a few months, but after a particularly awful one- night stand, she felt cheap and ashamed. After a six-month abstinence, during which she flirted for England but only snogged, she regained her confidence and remembered the joys of getting to know men rather than just bedding them, often celibacy is enforced rather than chosen as in you'd like to get laid but don't seem to be able to but you can always choose to see it in another light. You could decide to tell yourself that you are taking a break from sex and relationships to concentrate on you.

Be in charge of your own life Tell yourself that you are celibate rather than not getting any the urge will die down after a while. You can always indulge in a bit of manual relief! It will give you a lifelong appreciation of the vibrator! Many women find that isolating themselves from the emotional white noise of physical encounters helps to find out much more about themselves.

Being celibate also means no worries about contraception or sexually transmitted diseases. You will develop interests in other things and not sharing your body with anyone else does help you to appreciate it and your true worth more keenly.