I’ll never forget when I spent my first weekend alone with one of my earliest partners. We slept in the nude and when I got up to make breakfast, I stayed that way. We were alone and I was comfortable, so why not? When they came into the kitchen and saw me naked, they said, “You should put some clothes on. This makes it less special when you’re supposed to be naked.”
Excuse me?
Even though I knew the socially acceptable answer, I asked, “When am I supposed to be naked?” They didn’t answer me, but after a lifetime of consuming popular media I understood that you’re only supposed to be naked when you’re showering or having sex. And I just didn’t agree with that.
I’m comfortable being naked. I sleep naked. I clean naked. I take bubble baths every chance I get and I am not in a rush to get dressed when I get out. I take my time moisturizing my body and doing my skincare routine, all while I’m naked. And if I don’t have plans on any given day, I’m most likely going to stay at home, reading and crafting in the nude.
For me, nudity isn’t inherently sexual. It’s just my body existing without interruption. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been aware of my body—the space it takes up, the parts of it that stand out, and my duty to cover it up lest I face the consequences of, well, having a body. It’s been hammered into my consciousness for as long as I can remember that my body is dirty, sinful, and not to be seen by anyone other than my eventual husband. And I knew early on that I didn’t plan on having one of those, so I was never super grounded in that rhetoric. But I did hold onto ideas about it being my wardrobe’s responsibility to protect me from the eyes and hands of strangers for much longer.
Being nude takes away that pressure. Not having to think about clothes frees up so much brain space. Don’t get me wrong now, I do LOVE to turn a look! My friends would definitely describe me as the one who’s chronically overdressed. But because I dress with intention, there’s a freedom in not having to make the choices and considerations that come with clothing.
When I say I dress with intention, I don’t just mean wearing t-shirts that showcase a part of my personality, although I do love a good graphic tee! I mean I try to be as much of a conscious consumer as I can, especially when it comes to my wardrobe. I prefer natural textiles. I like buying from small businesses. I stay away from fast fashion. I don’t buy from Amazon or Shein. My last Target purchase was in January of this year—and that one was a hard transition because I really did enjoy their designer collabs and Future Collective drops. But I shop with my values in mind. I care about the environment and workers’ rights and diversity and that’s reflected in the clothes I wear.
But my unclothed body, as it is, is free from the constraints of capitalism. Being nude doesn’t require me to think about brand ethics or sustainability practices. I also don’t think about size or fit when I’m naked.
Being nude at home alone is great, but community is important to me. Gathering with like-minded folks feels so affirming. And it’s actually good for you! Studies show that hanging out naked can reduce social physique anxiety, which is essentially a looming worry about what other people think of your body. In one such study from Goldsmiths, University of London, Dr. Keon West found that nudists “liked their own bodies more, thought better of themselves, and were more satisfied with their lives overall. The longer they had been practicing naturism and the more frequently they did it, the happier they were.”
Here are a few places along the East Coast where I feel safe being naked in community:
- Spa World (Centreville, VA) – This korean bath house has a bunch of different saunas you can try out while wearing the uniform you get when you check in, but the gender-separated locker rooms lead to nude bade pools with all kinds of jets that’ll have your body so relaxed, you won’t be thinking about the fact that everybody’s naked. Folks generally stay to themselves, so it’s great for a solo self care day or a spa day for a small group of friends. It’s an all-ages space, so sometimes you’ll see little ones using the hot tubs and showers accompanied by a parent.
- MAHESO (Davisdonville, MD) – This place is like a naked adult summer camp! They have events throughout the summer season that are open to the public, so you can go check out the pool, tennis court, and hiking trails without the commitment of membership. And there are cabins if you want to live the full summer camp fantasy. The members are very welcoming and always willing to give you a tour around the grounds.
- Gunnison Beach (Sandy Hook, NJ) – There are nude beaches in America! Who knew? What seems like a very European concept actually has several homes around the states, with California and Florida predictably having the most. But this one serves as a perfect melting pot for nudists and the nude-curious from all over the New York, Philly, Baltimore and DC areas. It’s clothing-optional, so you can wear your regular beachwear, go topless, or be completely nude—whatever you’re comfortable with.
If you live elsewhere, don’t worry; you can check out the American Association for Nude Recreation to find safe places to explore nudism near you.
Now, some people who like to be naked in public refer to themselves as nudists, while others prefer the term naturists. What’s the difference? I’m glad you asked. Thanks largely to skewed representation in mainstream media, the word nudist has a sexual connotation. In order to distance themselves from communities where public sex is also welcome, some folks began using the word naturist instead. This word’s origin has to do with the body in its natural state and not any particular connection to nature or the natural world.
Whether you adopt one of those labels or no label at all, a little public nudity can really change your relationship with your body.
National Nude Day is on July 14th, so you’ve got time to work your way up to your first nudist experience. Whether you try it at home or in public, alone or with friends, your mental health may thank you for it.