Sex is healthy. With every orgasm you experience, your body reaps the benefits. People who have regular sex live longer, have lower anxiety and heart issues, and are just, in general, happier people. But the problem with sex is that it involves at least one other person, and if you’re not in a relationship or casually dating anyone, what are you supposed to do? For some people, the answer is to have a one-night stand.

Although studies are divided on the impact one-night stands and casual sex have on us, the fact is that science can’t predict how everyone will respond to casual sex. There are a ton of factors involved: where you are in life, what you're looking for, how social stigmas affect you, what makes you feel comfortable, etc. As with most things, you have to do what's best you when it comes to sex.

While some women (and men) loathe one-night stands and avoid them like the plague, other women (and men) totally enjoy them. For years, I preferred one-night stands to real relationships, because I could get in and out, with as little small talk as possible, and be on my way. I didn’t have to sit through a boring date, ask questions and pretend to be interested just to be polite, or even have to text the next morning to say thanks. It was completely, and gorgeously, free any strings and I loved it at that point in my life. At other points in my life, I didn’t feel the same, so I avoided them.

Are you ready for a one-night stand? Are you at that point where nothing in the world is going to feel better than having sex with a stranger? Perhaps, you are! Here are nine signs you should go for it.

1. You’re Confident In Your Sexuality And Expectations

The only way you’re going to be able to truly enjoy your one-night stand is to be confident in your sexuality and expectations. You need to fully grasp that one-night stands very rarely are pathways to relationships and should be viewed for what they are: Casual sex. If you have confidence in that, then you’re good to go.

2. You Want To Experience Something New

Along with the sex aspect, one-night stands give us the opportunity to learn something new. Whether it’s something we learn about ourselves or some new sex technique that never crossed our mind before, there really are lessons to be learned during a one-night stand.

3. You Believe That Double Standards Are BS

For some reason we live in society where one-night stands are totally cool for men, but women who have them are just awful. I call bullsh*t on that. If you believe the same and know you can go into a one-night stand without feeling guilty ― guilt that’s brought on by society's double standards, mind you ― then do your thing.

4. You’re Getting Out Of A Relationship And Need A Distraction

When you’re just getting out of relationship a one-night stand can offer a handful of solutions. For starters, it’s a great distraction to the turmoil that’s probably going on in your head and heart. Studies have even proven that casual sex after a breakup is a natural coping mechanism, so if you're comfortable and have clear expectations about this hookup then why the hell not?

5. You Don’t Want To Emotionally Invest In Anyone Right Now

Another big sign that you should have a one-night stand is that you’re just not into investing any time into anything that lasts more than a few hours at this point in your life. Whether it’s because of your career or the fact that you’ve been burned before, if you don’t have it in you but still want to have sex, then a one-night stand is the best route.

6. You Think Anonymity Is Hot

For some people, familiarity is an important aspect to sex — and those people probably won't enjoy a one-night stand with a stranger. On the other hand, some people don't need that at a. A friend of mine once a met a guy at a Halloween party where she was a cowgirl and he ― wait for it ― was a cowboy! They didn’t tell each other their names, talked all night, she didn’t disclose a single fact about herself, then took him home. The whole night she got to be someone else and it was really exciting for her. It’s hot to completely escape your real life, disappear into anonymity, and have sex with a delicious stranger.

7. You Think The ‘Walk Of Shame’ Is Actually The ‘Walk Of Awesome’

Um, because it is! Even before Amber Rose redefined the "walk of shame" with her video, everyone, one-night stand fans or not, should have been able to attest that it’s actually the "walk of awesome."

8. You Need A Break From Your Vibrator

As much as I love my vibrator, sometimes, to quote Carrie Bradshaw, “I need to feel the weight of a man on me.” It’s in those cases, that a one-night stand comes in handy. You get that weight of another human being. (Although the orgasm factor isn't exactly a guarantee.)

9. You Just Want To Get Laid

Sometimes you just want to have a meaningless f*ck-fest and want that post-sex glow ― do you really need another sign as to why you should be hooking with a stranger in the next 30 minutes?

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