How Spending Time With Your Naked Body Could Step Up Your Body Positivity
Embrace the nude.
We spend a lot of time dodging the mirror, having sex with the lights off and undressing under a towel, but facing your fear could be the very thing that saves you.
We’re not talking about living your life in the nude every day but spending a little time naked forces you to confront your body. Rather than dodging mirrors at every turn, it gives you a chance to say ‘this is my body’ and accept it, without shame or judgement. No matter what, your body deserves to be respected, and sometimes celebrated but never avoided.
A 2017 report by the Journal of Happiness Studies found that, “more participation in naturist activities predicted greater life satisfaction - a relationship that was mediated by more positive body image, and higher self-esteem”.
For some people, body positivity comes in the form of looking in the mirror and saying ‘I look amazing’ which helps them feel badass and capable of anything. But for others, simply acknowledging that their body allows them to live every single day, is enough to accept their body. It’s about whatever works for you!
Practicing yoga in your underwear can have major benefits too! Yoga is beneficial for building mental and physical strength and watching your body gain strength can be rewarding and give you a new perspective - your body is more than what it looks like.
Or, if you’re feeling brave, Willow Merveille is the founder of Naked in Motion, a movement that offers yoga and pilate classes in the nude. Based in New York City, Boston and Seattle (and online), Willow believes “your body is awesome and deserves care and love. Not the body you used to have or the one you wish you had, but the one you’re in right this moment”. The experience encourages self-compassion and kindness.
You’ll most likely feel vulnerable at first but the practice of being naked could be the self-care you never knew you needed. It can open the door for deeper self-discovery and allow you to understand and appreciate yourself completely as you are.
It doesn’t need to be anything crazy or extreme. Today, try going about your day naked for five minutes, whether it’s making a coffee, answering some emails, dancing or meditating.
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