We should all be naked more.

By Hannah Honey

Hannah Honey is a writer and cabaret performer from the UK now living in Toronto, Canada. In this blog, she shares her research on the power of being naked, and practical tips on how to incorporate the art of nudity into your daily life.

When I was 20 years old, I took a Heels Dance class for the very first time. What shocked me most (aside from the realization that I had very fragile ankles) was the realization that this was the only space in my life where I got to see real, barely-clothed bodies, moving. 

Growing up alongside the birth of social media and the rise of the overly-edited influencer, as a young woman, I realized I didn’t know what bodies actually looked like underneath our clothes. I knew that mine didn’t look like Kim Kardashian’s, but that was about where the knowledge stopped.

This powerful moment of ‘Oh, actually, all bodies have rolls when they sit’ led me to consider how the art of being naked holds so much empowerment, and yet seems to be so stigmatized.

As it turns out, the power of being naked runs much deeper than I had initially imagined.

The Psychology of Being Naked

The psychology of nudity has been well researched over the last 20 years, with studies finding it to have positive effects on all aspects of our mental health.

Firstly, the art of being naked can allow a major confidence boost when it comes to how we view our bodies. Multiple studies have found that communal nudity can reduce social physique anxiety and promote a positive body image, with supportive spaces like nudist beaches or sex-positive clubs providing an outlet for us to appreciate our own bodies as well as the beauty of others. As I had noticed in my first trip to a heels class, social exposure to nudity or barely-clothed bodies helps us to appreciate a diverse range of physiques and escape from the unrealistic standards imposed on us by social media.

Other studies have focused on less public forms of nudity; for example, casual stripping (defined as stripping outside of a dance or paid-work context) was noted as a means by which to reduce anxiety surrounding how others view our bodies. Though less studies have researched the benefits of being naked alone, it seems that any level of exposure to our own bodies is fundamental in encouraging self-apprecation and a feeling of comfort within our own skin.

Beyond confidence and bodily self-acceptance, nudity offers physical health benefits that can improve our overall wellbeing. Sleeping naked improves our skin health, as well as allowing us to have better sleep quality, both of which have knock-on effects for how positively we feel about ourselves and our bodies on a daily basis.

How Nudity Improves Our Sex Lives

Getting more comfortable with our naked bodies can allow us to be more present and less self-conscious during sex. For example, cognitive distraction, or feelings of dissociation during sex, can often be caused by body-image related anxieties. These can come in the form of overthinking how your body may look in a certain position, feeling anxiety over what you have or haven’t shaved, and experiencing negative thoughts about the way in which your partner might be perceiving you. When you’re less self-conscious about your body, you can relax during intimacy, stay in the moment, and engage more openly with your partner.

In fact, being more comfortable with your naked self is directly linked to your experience of pleasure. Removing stress and having a greater understanding of your body can improve your mind-body connection, allowing you to connect more deeply with your sensations, arousal patterns, and sexual responses. Feeling sexy in yourself can also empower you to advocate for your wants and needs, and express your desires more assertively.

Needless to say, nude empowerment goes hand in hand with the world of lingerie. Treating yourself by wearing your favourite lingerie set can increase your self-confidence as well as encourage your sexual self-expression. For example, a pair of butt-framing knickers can encourage you to celebrate your curves without covering them up (this pair are even cotton-lined for breathability, because yeast infections are not on our checklist for making ourselves feel sexy). Similarly, a sheer, zip-front bralette or sheer bodysuit can offer a way to decorate and embellish your body whilst still embracing the art of nudity.

How To Be Naked More (Even If You Have Roommates)

Embracing nudity doesn’t have to mean becoming fully nudist - the most important thing is to find small opportunities in your everyday routine to appreciate your body in the way it deserves.

Let’s start with the easiest and most private opportunity for nudity: your night time routine. After your shower, try staying naked for a little longer than you usually would, taking time to watch yourself as you apply your lotions and oils, physically appreciating yourself as you gently massage your body. Put on your favourite sexy R&B song, and maybe even have a refreshing drink waiting for you on the counter (white wine optional). Make yourself feel as luxurious as possible, spraying your favourite perfume, and maybe even putting on your favourite jewellery, all in the name of dedicating the time and space to appreciating yourself. 

After your self-pamper session, you can go to bed still in the nude (fresh sheets recommended for extra luxury), or you can put on your favourite lingerie. You invest good money into your lingerie; you deserve to wear it more often than just birthdays and Valentines, and you also deserve to wear it just for yourself, for no reason other than the pursuit of self-love. This sensual self-care is all too rare, when in actual fact, it’s a simple way to allow us to cherish our bodies on a regular basis.

If you decide to take the next step after establishing a private routine of nudity, you can choose to explore communal spaces where your clothing is optional or limited. These range from dance and pole studios, to nude beaches, to sex clubs, to art classes, to saunas, and more. These spaces offer supportive, welcoming environments for you to remind yourself that all bodies are beautiful, including your own.

Whilst nudity can be sexy and sexual, it can also be a holistic wellness practice, a protest against a culture of criticism and shame, and an empowering form of self-care and self-appreciation. 

By encouraging yourself to become comfortable in your own skin, you cultivate a kind of confidence that extends far beyond the bedroom.