In honor of National Nude Day, the benefits of being nude are explored. Being nude is more than just taking a shower or being nude during a sexual encounter, even though some people prefer to have sex with clothes on. But I digress. Nudity can be very instrumental in your overall health and well-being. Clothes can be very restricting, and they can become overstimulating. There are several benefits to practicing being nude more often; alone and with your partner. Practicing the art of embracing your birthday suit can boost mood, improve sleep, improve poor body image, and it just feels good to feel free.
There are many reasons why some people wouldn’t dare to practice being nude. The reasons are typically more often due to low self-esteem, body shame, trauma, and uncertainty about sexual identity. Ironically, these are the same reasons why you should consider it. If you feel unsure about being nude, start in the privacy of your bedroom since this is the area where most of us are naked. Try doing all your morning and nighttime routine in the buff, before you head out and before you go to bed.
Research Studies and Being Nude
According to (West, 2020) Recent research suggested that nude activities improved body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction among participants who were predisposed to take part in such activities. However, past research has not found the assumed negative effects of nude activity on a variety of outcomes such as anti-social behavior, sexual behavior, and emotional adjustment. Rather, positive associations have been found between naturist ideology and psychological health, including body image. So being nude has plenty of health benefits.
I’m not saying to go out into the world with no clothes on but in the comfort of your own home can be a start to practicing nudity. With consideration to certain circumstances of course. However, there are some resorts and beaches that cater to nudists and this could also be a fun way to explore once you have developed a comfort and confidence level with it.
Benefits of Being Nude
- Better Sleep– According to (Lippie-Mcgraw, 2015) the D.C.-based nonprofit the National Sleep Foundation says, to have a normal sleep schedule and sleep comfortably, your body needs to reach an optimal temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Meaning going to bed with no clothes can promote lower body temperatures for optimal sleep.
- Improved intimacy– Skin-to-skin contact promotes the production of oxytocin (love hormone) which helps couples to feel more connected physically and emotionally. It helps increase the feeling of security during these vulnerable moments because you become comfortable with it the more you do it.
- Improved self-esteem– Allowing yourself to embrace nudity and seeing yourself this way could help you feel more comfortable with your body, and the way it looks and have a better appreciation for it. You may also notice the difference in how you feel when you try to limit the clothes you wear at home. According to (Klein, 2018) When you do wear clothes you will start to choose clothing that accentuates the parts of your body that you love. This will improve negative body image and the shame that comes with it as you become more comfortable being nude and seeing yourself nude.
- Saves Money– Practicing the art of being nude more often around the house could assist with saving money because you are wearing fewer clothes which mean fewer clothes to wash and less water consumption.
- Vaginal and penis Health– Going without underwear can be very beneficial to genital health. It allows room for your genitals to breathe and lowers the risk of infection or irritation from wearing underwear that is not breathable. According to (Brusie, 2019) underwear made of synthetic fibers poses the highest risk of a UTI.
- Promotes healthy skin– Wearing clothes sometimes can feel very restrictive and uncomfortable depending on the weather and activities you are doing. This can cause discomfort and even irritation to the skin in some people. According to (Lippie-Mcgraw, 2015) Dr . Michael Fiorello says ” Going naked is good for the skin. It helps the elimination of sweat toxins that clothing can reintroduce to the body and better overall blood circulation.” Giving your skin more opportunities to breathe can also prevent inflammation of skin follicles, rashes, and breakouts caused by restrictive clothes.
- Better Sex – Due to insecurities some people prefer to have sex with the lights off and or with clothes on which could cause limits to what you can do and enjoy. However, if you embrace nudity more often and become more comfortable and confident you could embrace the idea of having sex with the lights on and no clothes. This will allow for a more intimate connection being able to see each other and be stimulated by images and body parts you may love to see during sex if this is a turn-on for you. You could see what you are doing, which could also promote and encourage the couple to try new things.
Being nude can do wonders for your relationship and yourself. Embracing the most natural side of you can be a learning experience, allowing you to connect with your body and your partner. By applying the practice more often rather than when taking a shower, changing clothes, and having sex. Walk around the house nude when no one is there, cook and clean in the nude and feel what it does for you. Yes, it may be more uncomfortable initially but keep at it and see what you feel.
References
Brusie, C. (2019, October 10). 6 reasons to spend more time naked. Retrieved from Healthline: www.healthline.com
Klein, B. (2018, September 17). 10 Reasons Why You Should Get Naked More Often. Retrieved from Lifehack: www.lifehack.org
Lippie-Mcgraw, J. (2015, September 24). The health benefits of being naked: How stripping down is good for you. Retrieved from Today: www.today.com
West, K. (2020). A nudity-based intervention to improve body image, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. International Journal of Happiness and Development, 162-172.
