'You're fully accepted': Being nude in public can make us feel better about our bodies
Research suggests that naturism, the practice of non-sexual social nudity, can help people improve their body image. Naturists and experts tell the BBC how it works.
TL;DR
- Naturism, or non-sexual social nudity, is believed to improve body image by normalizing diverse body types.
- Societal pressures and media distortion of body image, exacerbated by social media and filters, contribute to negative body perceptions.
- Exposure to average bodies in a naturist setting helps individuals recalibrate their perspective on what is normal, acceptable, and beautiful.
- Research suggests a link between engaging in naturist activities and greater life satisfaction, mediated by improved body image and self-esteem.
- Naturism can counteract comparison culture by promoting the idea that every body is beautiful and does not require significant financial investment to look a certain way.
- The practice helps individuals accept perceived flaws, such as scars or physical differences, viewing them as part of their life story.
- Despite a negative reputation often linked to assumptions of sexual deviance, naturism is legal in many places and offers benefits such as reduced social physique anxiety.
- Activities like life drawing, which involve observing naked models, may also contribute to improved body image.