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Want Better Self-Confidence? Get Naked! 

The phrase 'in all your glory' was coined for a reason.
June 17, 2017
8 mins read

This may sound taboo, but it doesn’t have to be. As the March/April 2017 issue of “Playboy” proclaims, naked is normal! Not only is baring your skin natural, but going nude is also rich in both psychological and biological benefits. Letting it all hang out is not easy for everyone, but with enough practice, being naked becomes second nature, in addition to first. Everyone was born naked, so why not live naked?

An online survey conducted by Dr. Keon West found that people who spent more time nude had higher self-esteem. This makes sense, since people who wear skimpier swimsuits are assumably very comfortable with their bodies, and rocking nothing at all takes an incredible amount of security. Leaving yourself uncovered allows you to become more comfortable in your own skin, which is what brings about body positivity. Since everything is exposed, the person in the buff is bound to see themselves, and the more someone looks at anything, the more used to it they become; they can even learn to appreciate it. Of course, satisfaction with one’s weight takes time, but disrobing may help speed up the process.

Being naked more often can also help people look better naked. Not wearing clothes stimulates the growth of brown adipose tissue—also known as “good fat”—and decreases the amount of white adipose tissue, which is the unhealthy fat. Going au naturel also lowers cortisol, which is a stress hormone that enables weight gain. In addition to its weight loss effects, being unclothed helps with the appearance and health of skin, since wearing sweaty clothes can cause rashes and can lead to vaginal infections. Having unclear skin can also lead to low self-esteem, which does not help in any area of life, especially those concerning the body.

Spending more time in your birthday suit helps your mind, body and your body’s performance. If someone loves their body, then they are likely to keep that confidence during sex. A survey done in 2014 discovered that a whopping 57 percent of people who slept naked reported satisfaction in their relationships. Given the results of this study, it is safe to say that if someone has a good relationship with their own body, it leads to a good relationship with someone else’s. But, like any relationship, a relationship with one’s physical self takes time.

Spending time undraped can be nerve-racking for many individuals, but there’s no need to worry; nudity can be done in baby steps. Personally, I eased my way into sleeping naked by sleeping topless first. The top half of the body is the less intimate half because it contains no sexual organs, which makes it easier to uncover. Of course, sleeping without a pajama top can still be unnerving, but there are ways to overcome the fear of being shirtless.

Image via First for Women

Sleeping topless is still half-naked. If 50 percent is too high, then try sleeping without a bra or underwear. This way all intimate areas are covered, but they are still free. This method is especially useful for people with roommates. Although nudity is natural, it is not always decent to get undressed in front of others. Going commando is also a way to ease into nudity that anyone can do in public, depending on what they’re wearing. It also helps prevent yeast infections, which is a bonus. Although commando is an exception, most adjustment methods can, and should, be done in private.

A casual way to look at oneself unclad is by undressing in front of mirrors. Getting dressed is a daily occurrence, which gives anyone plenty of opportunities to view themselves without clothes, and ease into acceptance of their physique. If you share a room and don’t want others to see you, then start changing in the bathroom. Another everyday action that involves nudity is preparing to take a shower or bath. Before bathing, take a few moments to view yourself garmentless. If this is still too much, then just undress in front of the mirror before showering and skip the extra time staring at your reflection. If this step is not enough, there are more unconventional ways to spend time nude.

Some say that the best workout gear includes clothing items such as sports bras, yoga pants or loose-fitting clothing. False! If you work out alone, the best fit is nothing at all (with a few exceptions). Clothing can restrict one’s range of motion, and exercising naked allows people to see their bodies nude and in action. Working out unattired helped me embrace my physicality, and it can help you too! Try it at least once. Be safe though, because working out without protective gear can cause injury.

Ladies, if you have chest or back pain during physical activity, avoid doing cardio naked and stick to less jiggly activities, such as yoga, weight lifting or pilates. If cardio is a must, then wear a sports bra during the routine or stick to low-impact workouts, since they do not involve jumping. Men should also be careful when working out in all their glory.

Gentlemen, put the safety of your male parts first and avoid bouncy exercises if they hurt, because they can cause testicular pain. If any men plan on having their next sweat session nude, it would not be a bad idea to avoid moves like dumbbell swings, or anything that involves putting a weight that close to the genitals at all. Besides, no one wants to injure their private parts while trying to get more comfortable with them!

To get comfortable in one’s own skin, a person needs to fully see themselves first. Nudity in private or in the right context is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has a body and should be appreciative of what it can do and what is has done for them. Body confidence comes faster for some than others, which is understandable. Still, that self-love is attainable and can be obtained through nakedness, because when you strip down, your physical and mental health goes up!

Danielle Keating, Concordia University

Writer Profile

Danielle Keating

Concordia University
Humanities

15 Comments

  1. Not mentioned here is how empowering it is to do something that you may feel is a big deal and discover that you are fine.

  2. Those who like me are approaching their 6th year remember the days when even when still little children our parents used to put a towel around us when we were at the seaside to change our clothes and when asking them why do most of the foregners’ children just remove all their clothing and the answer was always “We are Catholic but they’re not!” One can say that the Catholic Church in those times controlled most of peoples’ minds. We were told that we could be naked only when our mothers used to give us a bath ,but later on was changed to “anyone” when sometimes we were left with our grandmas or aunts they also used to give us a bath sometimes in front of our cousins , male and female alike , without our parents’ knowledge! The first time we visited a British medical specialist at first told me to strip down to my knickers and while examining me he removed my knickers as well and “grabbed my private parts”

    After leaving the clinic and asked my father why the doctor stripped me naked , the answer was ,”Very few of British doctors are Catholic!” In fact when he sent me for an x ray , I removed all my clothing , but the radiographer burst out laughing when he saw me naked. Later on when they took me to a laboratory for a blood test I asked the nurse whether I had to undress and like the radiographer he burst out laughing and asked me whether I enjoyed being naked!

    Another time came when a military doctor came and recommended being hospitalised and as soon as I arrived at the hospital a nurse told me to strip naked because they did not allow underwear under pyjamas. No curtain was drawn or maybe a screen and my mother relates I tried to hide my treasures with both hands! The next day I was told I would be given a bath , but I never expected to find other children being washed in the same bathroom boys and girls alike! But I did not feel uncomfortable any more. But was my mother furious when I told her about this and even told me I should have told the nurse that I blush a lot! Another time I was given a blow in the cheek because I was staring at some women who were “almost naked” actually in two piece bathing costumes although in those times it was illegal!

    Later on I used to see lots of men with binoculars ascending the clay hill at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and whenever I asked my relatives they either did not reply or bring some flimsy answer say that they go to see the excellent view at Gnejna Bay. Many times I tried ascending the clay hill myself but always warned it was very dangerous until one day I saw everyone playing ball in the water and I managed to be near them. A man sked me why I had not brought a pair of binoculars and in fact lent me his! True my uncle was more than right there was a magnificent view , some 30 grown ups all in their natural state until I recognised one of them as a primary scholl teacher. “And the fat one besides her is a headmistress! She’s fifty something” he answered.

    But when I went back I received a hiding from my father , they had been looking for me for quite some time and he asked me to go to confession as soon as possible.

    Much later when my mother had since then died we were at an uncle’s house when my father started relating the story. “But Gino” started my uncle ,” Wgat yo do not know is we used to go ourslves sometimes , when we used to tell you we were going to have a lemonade or ice cream!” Gnejna Bay is still frequented by nudists but in the weekends the peeping toms vastly outnumber the number of nudists!

  3. Altough almost 50 years have passed since my adventure at Ghajn Tuffieha public nudity is still illegal in Malta and for some time there were only a few hotels which allowed mixed saunas and showers butnow those who still segregate their saunas and showers are the exception.

  4. I enjoy being nude as much as possible. It feels very natural to me. Accepting my body gave me more confidence in life.

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