Health Benefits of Being Naked

[CharlesLogan]

Greetings to all,
Many of the forum topics and discussions deal with the fun and enjoyment of being naked, but what about physiological and psychological benefits? I am sure there are many! However, there isn't much discussion of those benefits. Please comment and start a discussion on the health benefits of being naked.

CharlesLogan

[MoonShadow]

Hi Charles, there have been some discussions in the Fitness and Health section of the forum. I don't know how to link it to here (how does one do a link, anyway?)

[sbt7879]

Being nude has lessened my chances of physical injury; I feel more surefooted when I'm out of my clothes, nothing to constrict my movements and greater awareness of my environment. I have gotten better sleep since ditching pajamas. I seem to fall asleep quicker than when I was trapped in pajamas. Of course more sleep strengthens your immune system.

[Nudeinbama]

Sun exposure, as long as you don't over do it, is good for ones body and I definately sleep better when nude.:)
nudeinbama

[NudonyII]

Nudism has been instrumental for my mental health. I suffered from some rather intense social anxiety (agoraphobia) most of my early years. It made socializing very difficult for me. Nudism provided me with the perfect environment to work on that issue. Agarophobics perceive crowds and strangers as a threat...but when everyone is nude, the perceived threat becomes lessened. I built up my self esteem and self confidence by becoming a social nudist, and took this back to the textile world. I can now deliver a speech in front of hundreds of people, or socialize with a complete stranger without getting a panic attack. And social nudism made this possible.

[Lord Drakkus]

It has been scientifically proven that sun exposure, specifically UVB radiation, causes the skin to react in many ways, one of which is the creation of Vitamin D. This helps improve eyesight, immune function, and other benefits. Seems obvious to me that, the more skin you expose, the more pronounced these effects would be.

I have also noticed that, since I've started going out more, my sensitivity to cold has lessened. I used to require a temperature of 70F or more, with or without sun. Now I'm comfortable with 50F in the sun and 60F without. I'm sure that with more full body exposure to cold weather, that threshold will lessen. I've also noticed that my immune system seems stronger as well, since my body can better compensate with cold weather and therefore still be able to fight off germs and such. One thing to keep in mind though; if you start to shiver, that's your bodys way of saying it's having trouble compensating, and you should move indoors or cover up.

[TallMax41]

Hi Charles,

I've found that my nude time at the beach is a great stress reliever. Part of it is just the freedom of wearing nothing at all, and the feel of the sun, water and wind on the body is very relaxing. Somehow it makes me feel more connected and in tune with the earth.

[Running Bear]

The more time I spend naked the less time I like being clothed. As soon as I dress I start to sweat and itch. Clothes impair the bodies natural temperature control mechanism so I am more tolerant of extremes of temperature because my body works as it was designed to. It is not a more tougher approach but a less impaired approach.

[naturalmanwa]

I have found that being nude is a great stress reliever. It doesn't matter where, just get out of your clothes! Start at home and expand to the outdoors such as a beach or swimming hole or at a secluded camping area. I have been doing this for many years and can say it works!

[silver_tree]

RB summed part of it up for me. Your skin need exposure to the air. It is a bit more sanitary to exposed to light and for certain areas to be dry. Your skin also generates a certain vitamin with exposure to sunlight.

Of course there are the benefits to one's mental health.

[roletvern2]

there is also the benefit of having the more free moving body parts not being confined and compress. Being nude let bloods flow more freely and the skin breath.

[Westcoaster]

I have to agree with TallMax41,

A day spent nude at the beach, (or a day spent hiking nude), is one of the most relaxing things I can think of, and there is no doubt to me that it contributes to a psychological sense of well-being. One of the best stress-relievers there is.

[Lord Drakkus]

there is also the benefit of having the more free moving body parts not being confined and compress. Being nude let bloods flow more freely and the skin breath.

There's actually a theory (unproven) being bandied about that brassieres can inhibit the lymphatic system and cause numerous health problems with long-term use, primarily breast cancer. It's unproven, but seems sound enough to be viable. If proven, I wonder if it also holds true with other tight undergarments.

[walter05]

I think there are a couple that have not been mentioned.

1) The skin is actually a respiratory organ. It breaths in oxygen and out CO2. It also sweats to regulate temperature, etc. Some nude time is good to let the skin breath.

2) I am a male living for a while in the upper midwest. I wear a lot of layers. If I don't sleep nude, my skin in the grooves between my scrotum and legs builds up sweat, etc. It itches. I find not only being nude but making sure to lie on my back for a while with my legs spread so the grooves breath prevents the itch.

[MoonShadow]

There's actually a theory (unproven) being bandied about that brassieres can inhibit the lymphatic system and cause numerous health problems with long-term use, primarily breast cancer. It's unproven, but seems sound enough to be viable. If proven, I wonder if it also holds true with other tight undergarments.

A bra that fits a woman's body correctly does not inhibit the lymphtic system. A bra that fits a woman's body is also very comfortable. And I don't think you are going to find any studies linking a correctly fitted bra to breast cancer.

Most women today do not wear a correctly fitted bra. It's amazing, but true.

[Smiley]

Since I've been wandering around the woods in warm weather nude, I no longer have the rash and accompanying itches on my back, chest, groin and rump. For years I suffered and now, no more! Come warm weather, I'll once again go lay out in the sun daily occasionally, hike, pick morels when they're in season, go skinnydipping and do just about anything else I choose. .nude, of course. I'm fortunate in that I live in a fairly rural area with no close neighbors. .makes for a good wall to wall suntan:laugh:

[Fitz1980]

Most women today do not wear a correctly fitted bra. It's amazing, but true.

You are correct on that. I knew a girl who worked at Victoria's Secret all through college who said that she's measured thousands of woman to correctly fit them for bras and most woman are so far off the mark it's comical. Some don't even understand the difference between the band measurement and the cup size, like going from a 34B to a 36B when it's really a 34C that they needed to switch to.

[HabaneroSting]

This is an interesting topic and was the last post on my blog.

I hear a lot of naturists attempt to justify being nude as physical benefits (e.g. freedom of movement, vitamin D, etc), but these are small compared to wearing workout clothes or a swim suit. The real benefit is psychological, the nudist deep relaxing breath after you strip of your clothes. You are free from the chains of society and you are free from having to hide your true self. Most people rush home at the end of the day to take off their uncomfortable restricting business dress clothes and get into something comfortable like sweats, for a physical relief. Nudists experience that same relief psychologically when they completely take off their clothes.

Many have asked why anti-nude people frequent this site and get so heavily involved in the discussions. I believe it is because they are envious that nudist lack the mental chains of conformity and low self-esteem.

I think this topic is the heart of naturism.

[naked in ohio]

My experience has been that I have expanded my awareness of my environment, especially when out in nature. The animals are significantly less skittish and seem to be more accepting of my presence.

Also, to agree with others on this thread, it's invigorating to realize the 'body-breathing' rather than just the lungs. Of course, it's much better being either free from encroachment or among other naturists, for it frees me from looking over my shoulder to check that I'm not "offending" some onlooker.