Nudism, happiness and increased positive body image.
Over the past 24 years I have noticed 2 things that have stood out between nudist and non-nudist: nudist are happier, and most have a positive body image when nude.
Also, at least for me personally, being nude (especially outdoors or in a social setting) does wonders for my depression and anxiety which you can read about in this previous post here.
This morning I was thinking about both our recent trip to the nudist resort a few weekends back (which is where this picture was taken), and others, and it led me down the path of seeing if it was just me or if being a nudist really does improve happiness and body image.
Here is what one research found (which you can read the article from Mens Health here): “Researchers surveyed 849 people, and found that those who had spent time in the nude outdoors or with other people—sorry, your girlfriend or family doesn’t count—reported they were happier, felt better about their bodies, and had higher self-esteem than those who didn’t shed their clothes.”
Furthermore, according to the author Keon West, Ph.D. “What we found was a very good correlation, that generally, if you did these activities, the longer you did them and the more frequently you did them, the happier you were about all of these things.”
Positive Body Image
The interesting part of the article was that the positive body image didn’t come from being seen naked by others, it was seeing other people naked, flaws and all. He states “According to one participant, seeing other people with “normal, not perfect” bodies helped ease the insecurities they felt toward their own.”
Often times we wear clothes, or bathing suites for women, that try to hide our flaws from others. This is often a result of magazines and shows showing a great body with no imperfections. News flash, 99% of us all have imperfections and that is what makes us who we are.
However, when you are nude around others you remove the feeling of having to hide anything. You accept yourself the way you are and that is a sense of true freedom you won’t find when you are trying to hide things.
When you go to a social nudist event you will find people don’t really mind what you look like. Nudism isn’t a swingers club where you are looking for someone to have sex with. Nudism is about the act of being nude, or in some form of it, and really just enjoying life and the company of those around you. Or, if you are home, enjoying the feeling of being free from the restriction of clothing.
Happiness
Out of the research, and various articles on the internet, I personally feel that the true happiness comes from two main drivers:
1. You are enjoying something you like to do. When you enjoy something you like, whether painting, golf, pickleball, card games (which can all be done nude) you block out the stressors of everyday life and enjoy the time you are doing the activity.
2. You are doing something outside of what society says is acceptable and you are around others who are enjoying true freedom. If you listen to society they will say nudism is bad, filled with a bunch of pervs; however, most don’t really know what goes on, they just make up a story in their head or from what “someone once told me”. Go against the grain and do what bring you true joy and happiness, f’k what everyone else says.
Most nudist I know enjoy the simplicity that nudism brings. They love the enjoyment and freedom it offers; ultimately, enhancing their happiness. They smile bigger, laugh louder, and find true peace and serenity that they don’t see outside of social nudism.
So for those of you that are on the fence, or have filled your mind with a hundred reasons why you can’t do it…stop wasting your time and try it. If you don’t like it, at least you have a cool story to tell about the one time you went nude with others. If you do like it, well, we welcome you to the community and hope you enjoy some new found happiness and increased body positivity.
Today is a great day to be happy.
In your corner,
Ryan