In this blog post, I asked a real doctor to help me collect medical reports on naturism and hopefully, it will be helpful/beneficial for some of my readers. All of the references are listed at the end of the article. Body dissatisfaction is so normal now it has turned into a world epidemic (1). To cater to this worldwide problem, naturism is the solution. This is not to encourage you to go naked but it will make you understand a deeper meaning behind the purpose of naturism, which is life satisfaction and self-esteem.
In the modern world where people are encouraged to be who they are yet, they face a lot of backlash for being overweight and unhealthy. Naturism is the way to celebrate diversity and kindness and respect for each other. Nature‘s activities are not only psychologically beneficial but it is also a recommended lifestyle that one should experience outside the social problems. We hope that this article helps you understand the problems in our social world and how the extra media exposure is causing my children to have an adverse effect on their body image. We will try to explain naturism to show you how it can help you boost your confidence and increase your chance at a quality life.
1. Introduction
Not liking your own body is a problem that we all need to address.
And that is not my own opinion, this is an international problem. There were surveys conducted in the US, Brazil, and Finland, where they found out that people are unhappy with their bodies. It’s not just the body they are dissatisfied with, but they have some other behavior controlling changes as well, such as trying to lose weight and also showing symptoms of body image distortion (2) (3). You would be surprised to know that it was not a problem for overweight people, but for those too who have a normal weight range.
When we talk about naturism, we encourage loving your body as it is. There is nothing wrong with who you are and how you are shaped. Every person is unique and each body is unique, giving out their own identity. Naturist activities include someone showing their naked self to those people who believe they do not have the ideal body (4). If you are thinking that this is something inappropriate, then that depends on your thinking. Exposing your body to a group of non-intimate people helps in reducing the level of dissatisfaction one may feel with their body. This encourages them to accept who they are and how they look.
Social Media applications have allowed many young women and men to feel inferior about their bodies, some seem to go on extreme diets resulting in some chronic diseases while others would just go into depression. The problem is real, and no one seems to care enough about it. But recent studies have found that allowing other people to see them naked has a positive impact on the person’s mind and they would not shy away or abhor their body anymore. This will boost their self-esteem and have positive body image views (5). Although it will take baby steps, it does seem to pick up the confidence of a person to let themselves be seen for who they are. Before self-care comes self-love, and one should love every part of themselves, whether it is visible or invisible.
In this article, we would be explaining what exactly Naturism is, and how it is effective. How the world is going through an unannounced epidemic of body dissatisfaction and how can naturism fix it. We’ll also talk about how you can boost your self-esteem through positive body imaging views and what psychological effects naturism can have. Overall, it will help you understand why naturism is needed as a solution to the body dissatisfaction epidemic.
2. A Body Image Dissatisfaction Epidemic
To discuss the solution, let’s talk about the problem first. What you have guessed it right, A body image dissatisfaction epidemic.
A 2014 study concluded that around 56% of women and 43% of men in the western world were found to be dissatisfied with their bodies. These people were labeled as ‘normative discontent (6).
Now, you must be wondering why that? Why normative discontent? Because these people found it completely normal to not like their bodies. Focus on the word, normal, it is normal for them to feel this way. Be discontent about something and be normal about it.
If we look at the bigger picture here, it is not just the discontent of how the bodies look that we are dealing with, we’re also dealing with other psychiatric conditions such as eating disorders and depression (7). Due to eating disorders, many people had to suffer from the genetic predisposition of anorexia nervosa. Due to the negative social and cultural influences on the people, they have found to believe the problem is their bodies and not the other person’s attitude. This is why naturism is believed to have a positive effect on a person’s mind as it gives them confidence and increased self-esteem. Naturism has nothing else but respect for one another, which makes them feel respected and contented with themselves.
Not to mention that even when people are not trying to judge the other person, they end up creating negative feelings among the others with their good intention. For example, obesity campaigns supported by the government and diet industry have created a negative mindset among people who are overweight or not fit enough (8). With the internet and social media, everyone in developed countries is trending for thin bodies, which led to a realization that maybe your body is not good enough to be shown off (9). As for developing countries, thin bodies mean you are going through poverty and that has caused some psychological issues with people.
The pressure from friends, family, media, and peers can cause a social disorder which can lead to a change in behavior in an individual, causing them to become dissatisfied with their body and how they look (10). This is important to understand that to reduce discontentment, they start to move towards the ideal self to fit in, which can be mentally straining and uncomfortable. This has also led to aggressive behavior patterns among the children (10). The more tweens spent time online, the more they internalized being ideally thin, this led them to do excessive dieting, decreasing self-esteem, and increase in body surveillance (9).
How you view body image can be negative and positive, but can never be the same. In negativity, they felt embarrassed and ashamed of their bodies while in positive body image, they felt comfortable in their skin and were able to appreciate it more around people who respected them for their body type. Naturism brings out that positivity among people, to stay between those friends and family that appreciate your appearance and do not judge you for who you are. They know that every person has their reason to be that way, and they should respect each other images because that’s who they are.
3. Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction
Researchers have concluded that men and women, both perceive their bodies as not ideal due to unrealistic beauty/body standards seen on social media, which according to them are thin and fit people (11) (12) (13). The bodies these people have are almost unattainable by an average person and this creates a negative opinion about your own body. That you are not good enough to show it around. Body image is as important for mental health, as it is to have a good diet for a healthy body. The unrealistic concept that people have picked up to match is causing them extreme distress and unhappiness.
It is said that body image and self-esteem are interrelated as once you are satisfied by your own body, your self-esteem increases as well. You feel respected, worthy, and more comfortable in your skin. Having positivity in life can lead to life satisfaction, which will not only make you positive about your body image but about your life choices as well. You will find yourself to be more open and friendly with people around you, you keep up with your ethics and you do not judge anyone else for what they are and how they look. These extra social brownie points will no longer become the reason for your life contentment. Overall, you will become a positive person, with a healthy brain, and healthy relations.
4. What is Naturism?
Naturism is a health ethically founded community of normal family units of mixed-gender living in a social environment. This is to ensure the generational continuity of the community and spirit. This community does not forbid same-sex families. Naturism is about the freedom of being in the natural human state before clothing and enjoying the family, social, educational, environmental, and health benefits herein. Without the abuse of fear and shame.
In simpler terms, it can be defined as a practice where people live without wearing clothes in an inappropriate or no sexual way. It can be practiced anywhere they want, at home, an organization, any club they joined, and also of course on the beach. In 1913, a writer wrote a book on nudity that said that women felt more content living in naturist communities as they were not embarrassed by how their bodies looked (14). In a study of 2017, West explained how naturism was on a rise in popularity in Britain and people were more open towards nudist activities (15). To think that these kinds of practices are illegal or inappropriate, that opinion is completely wrong, as governments in Europe and Scandinavia fully support naturists to promote naturism culture. France has turned it into an opportunity to increase respect among people for their bodily differences and acceptance. This not only boosts peoples’ self-esteem but also allows them to spend some quality time with their friends and family.
Research made on naturism also concluded that following naturism can lead to body positivity views among children and adults. This can help them get rid of any negative feelings they might harbor. One common misnomer is that being naked does not make an individual a Naturist. Ideally for someone to call themselves a naturist or nudist, they must encompass naturist ethics. if you are negative towards nudity, confuse nudity with sex, do not subscribe or donate money to naturist organizations, or if you are not a member of a naturist club or organization then you are not naturist as you are not contributing to the naturist community. The longer your commitment to the community surely displays your intent.
5. Naturism History
The naturist movement was set up entirely to offer its members a bright and happy, wholesome, and healthy lifestyle for the whole family as part of a community in front of the sun and air to be the whole body. This is at the center of Naturism. Indoors or outside. Being naked before the sun is naturism personified. The original foundation of the movement was started around the beginning of the 1900s in Germany, although the word neutralism had been used before then (16).
Indeed social nudity was still the main status in many un-colonized parts of the world. There is the fact that humans had already survived for 2 million years without clothing and chemically filled sunscreens. of course, there were huge landscapes in Africa, South America, and other parts of the world with indigenous native peoples who had not yet been affected by some European version of specific religion whereby nudity is Forbidden which is of course with the whole so-called problem with nudity drives from (17). Unfortunately, this religious mental disease may now have been passed on by the interference of some “help-work” done in these indigenous landscapes. Mainly by sending poor people living in hot climates, billions of unnecessary items of clothing?! – destroying possible textile trades and by deliberately trying to convert these poor people to this religion. Were the clothes meant to “cover them up?”
Even up to the 1990s social nudity was still very evident in these landscapes. Unfortunately, specific Europeans’ influence on these poor people has taken its toll. The modern naturist movement was partly brought about in reaction, and thanks to, the dark, depressive, abusive, and disease-ridden days of the Victorian Era. An era that was grey and controlled. The movement understandably and rapidly spread to France, Britain, and other parts of Europe (18). Naturism also became popular in America and Canada too. Naturism is now famous worldwide. There is some linkage between a naturist and a naturalist in as far as some naturalists practice Naturism – as being at one with nature connects you directly with the natural environment.
6. Benefits of Naturism
Naturism is a lifestyle that allows a community to promote and defend non-sexual nudity. This is not only a lifestyle but is also seen as a cultural movement. Both of these can be categorized into nudism. Where nudism fulfills the not wearing the clothes doing your everyday task and naturism talks about the way this activity is carried out encouraging respect and kind attitude towards their fellow naturists in a natural environment. If you think that there has to be one single naturist ideology, then that is not true. All these naturists come together from different educational and cultural backgrounds. Moreover, naturist activities can be performed alone, with the family, or with different people in the community.
Studies on psychological benefits of naturism are still underway but few of the researched works have concluded that practicing naturism can change one’s mindset regarding body image, which is positive. Once the negativity about one’s body image is gone, it automatically helps you with your self-esteem, leading you towards an increase in life satisfaction. It has been observed that social nudity can help people accept each other’s flaws and differences no matter how old, young, big or small they are. It is all about being equal and feeling good in your own body. Not only do you get used to different body types, but you also start to feel less conscious about yourself.
In the start, people were concerned about naturism having some adverse effect on the mental health of people, children in particular. But a 1966 study concluded that nudity does not have any negative psychological impact on children (19). Some studies have found that people who practice naturist activities have higher self-esteem as they feel less conscious about their body image.
As already mentioned in the previous chapter, the relationship between body image and self-esteem is significant, which leads us to believe that naturism can be a catalyst for positive body image acceptance (4). Therefore, naturists are also able to see and observe different types of the body around them, which makes them feel that their body is normal as well. With that thought process, they can negate the negative effects of unrealistic body expectations that everyone else seems to have (20).
It is noticed that people who get to hear more about negative weight-related remarks from their friends and family are more prone to eating disorders like bulimia (21). However, with a change of environment, where one’s body is not getting any negative comments and they see everyone else is different as well, this leads to body acceptance.
Being surrounded by a naked company in a non-sexual way can decrease the level of body dissatisfaction, which further leads to increased self-worth and self-esteem (15). And with a positive mindset, you get to live the best life.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many old people in the Naturist camps? It’s not because these are expensive, it is because these people joined in their youths and they have lived longer than other people out there. Since they were naked, they were able to see and tell any changes in their body and were able to get them treated.
Moreover, sleeping at night without clothes can help you drift off to sleep quickly, not only will it help you get a good night’s sleep but will burn more calories. Quality sleep will bring you better mental health for your well-being and healthy skin, which they need to show off all the time (22).
Naturist activities allow you to take a sunbath that gives you access to Vitamin D. We all know what vitamin D is good for, stronger bones (23)! Now you will not have to go and buy those expensive supplements, you can get it the natural way. Another benefit of naturism is that all of the members will be on the same level. Nobody will get to wear any badge of social strata, making you all equal.
7. The Final Takeaway
The final takeaway from this article is the main reasons why Naturism is good for you:
1. It makes you feel comfortable in your skin
2. It’s a fun and innovative way to stimulate your social life
3. You can get a really good night’s sleep
4. Sunbathing can get you good skin and stronger bones
5. Everyone around you is equal to you because you all are on the same ground
6. You will no longer have to wear any swimsuit (that’s an extra advantage)
7. You will feel closer to nature and appreciate its beauty
8. You get to live longer because of a healthy mind and body.
We hope that this article has been proven fruitful to understand the concept of Naturism. This directly associates to you being a natural entity, just like nature, and you are beautiful and unique the way you are. This community does not do anything out of ethical boundaries, and it helps in choosing a lifestyle that is more down to earth than to people’s opinions.
Naturism is not only a community but also a lifestyle, where you can get your life satisfaction for sure. In case you wish to know more about naturism through real experiences, there are famous places for you to visit:
● Lady Bay Beach, Sydney, Australia
● Wreck Beach, Vancouver, Canada
● Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii
● Buhne 16, Sylt, Germany
● Black’s Beach, La Jolla, California
There are some communities around the areas who live that might promote naturist camps and communities. Do your little research to find these people and know why this type of lifestyle can help solve this international problem.
8. References
3. Ålgars M, Santtila P, Jern P, Johansson A, Westerlund M, Kenneth Sandnabba N. Sexual Body Image and Its Correlates: A Population-Based Study of Finnish Women and Men [Internet]. Vol. 23, International Journal of Sexual Health. 2011. p. 26–34. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2010.509692
4. Green LR. Hiding Behind Nakedness on the Nude Beach. 2001 [cited 2022 Feb 7]; Available from: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworks/4455
9. Tiggemann M, Slater A. NetGirls: The Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls [Internet]. Vol. 46, International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2013. p. 630–3. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eat.22141
10. Levy DM. BODY INTEREST IN CHILDREN AND HYPOCHONDRIASIS. Am J Psychiatry [Internet]. 2006 Apr 1 [cited 2022 Feb 7]; Available from: https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/ajp.89.2.295
11. Agliata D, Tantleff-Dunn S. The Impact of Media Exposure on Males’ Body Image. 2005 Jun 1 [cited 2022 Feb 7]; Available from: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.23.1.7.26988
12. Engeln–Maddox R. Cognitive Responses to Idealized Media Images of Women: The Relationship of Social Comparison and Critical Processing to Body Image Disturbance in College Women. 2006 Jan 19 [cited 2022 Feb 7]; Available from: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2005.24.8.1114
14. Ungewitter R. Nacktheit und Kultur: neue Forderungen. 1913. 141 p.
17. Landry M. How Brown were the Conservationists? Naturism, Conservation, and National Socialism, 1900–1945 [Internet]. Vol. 19, Contemporary European History. 2010. p. 83–93. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0960777309990208
18. Stewart ML. Au Naturel: Naturism, Nudism, and Tourism in Twentieth-Century France. By Stephen L. Harp.Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2014. Pp. xvi 293. $45.00 [Internet]. Vol. 87, The Journal of Modern History. 2015. p. 982–4. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/683575
21. Abraczinskas M, Fisak B, Barnes RD. The relation between parental influence, body image, and eating behaviors in a nonclinical female sample [Internet]. Vol. 9, Body Image. 2012. p. 93–100. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2011.10.005
22. Sharma K, Srivastava S. The effectiveness of sleep hygiene program on sleep quality and stress level in elderly population [Internet]. Vol. 02, Journal of Mental Health and Aging. 2018. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.35841/mental-health-aging.2.1.29-32
23. Brown SM, Waterer GW. Vitamin D: Stronger lungs as well as stronger bones? [Internet]. Vol. 16, Respirology. 2011. p. 577–8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1843.2011.01947.x
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