Nudism a proper solution of Global Warming

Global warming has entirely changed the climate of the world. This is because of loads of gaseous emissions by our vehicles and industries which spread equally all across the globe and make the natural climate warmer. As a result we need more ice, air conditioners, and cold drinks to keep our body temperature normal in such hot weather.

Why people become nudist?
A huge number of people in liberal societies go nude to save themselves from heat. They spend their daily activities as naked and don’t care about any kind of weird looks over them. They are of the view that this is the only workable solution of the global warming. They don’t say this in frenzy of getting nude but they have strong arguments for this.

Nudists conserve energy
The nudist fraternity all across the globe says that they don’t have to switch on air conditioner to cool them. A normal air conditioner emits chlorofluorocarbon that directly causes ozone depletion and brings on acid rains that is quite harmful for our planet. Ultimately nudists consume less electricity and help reduce another cause of the global warming.

Nudists use no clothes
What nudists wear generally? Obviously nothing. They just carry a bag to keep the most essential items like non-nudists do and go out of home for their routine work. It means they use no clothes. Textile industries are one of the most polluting industries. So nudists make them manufacture a little less and ultimately pollute less.

Less consumption of water by nudists
If we count the environmental benefits of nudism, these are many. Nudists don’t wear clothes so they don’t need laundry at home or from a laundry service. In this way they help save lot of water which ultimately would have been consumed for laundry. So care in water consumption is also another advantage of this way of living.

Can all people go nude?
Do entire communities of the world can go nude for the cause of green? Obviously not. Each of them has different priorities and ways of thinking in life. Moreover, there are several hurdles to turn the entire global community as nudist.

Cultural barrier on nudism
Most important barrier is cultural. Majority of communities in the world are forbidden by their cultural norms to go nude. Even in several nations showing a body part is treated as a great sin. In some communities females are not allowed to show their faces to strangers. In such a conservative environment how come all people of the world can go nude.

Weather is another barrier on nudism
Secondly the weather of the all countries is not uniform. In most of the African and Asian countries people face scorching heat during six to seven months of the year. How can they bear hot sun directly touching their bodies? Therefore, this way of living cannot be adopted uniformly all across the world.

Nudism is a limited solution to global warming
So nudism is a limited solution of global warming. The issue of climate change needs a broad-based solution for its effective control. Therefore we need to reduce every kind of pollution on earth especially air pollution to control the global warming. For this purpose we can follow these steps:

• Use car in case of emergency and be habitual of using public transport for daily commuting
• Spend a simple life with necessities and little bit comforts to make industries produce less and pollute less.
• Consume water with care treating it as if our personal property
• Don’t make haste in discarding used items and wherever possible reuse them
• Adopt an eco-friendly life style by preferring green products on other luxurious ones
• Every year make a pledge to avoid or reduce one polluting act from your personal life
• Do you still think nudism is a proper solution of global warming or you agree with me? Please share your thoughts in comments given below.

Why Nudity is Required in Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park

The “traditional values” portion results from our observation that numerous naturist clubs have lost the philosophy of naturism. To many, naturism is only an occasional recreational activity representing simply an alternative to wearing a bathing suit. Gone are the social, psychological, environmental, and moral aspects of the movement. While we don’t want to revert to the days of mandatory calisthenics, vegetarianism, and alcohol/tobacco bans, we do want to reintroduce naturism as a philosophy and a way of life. Of course, that’s not for everyone; but each person can make a choice whether Bare Oaks is right for her or him. We’re not trying to appeal to everyone. Bare Oaks exists for those who are passionate about naturism.

People often ask why, if naturists are so tolerant of others, Bare Oaks does not allow people to remain clothed if they so desire. (When the environment permits, of course!) On the surface, this call for tolerance seems very logical. That and an aspiration to be more inclusive have been the drivers of the clothing-optional movement in recent decades.

It would be great if we lived in a utopia where nobody cares what we wear and we could be nude anywhere we desired. That may be possible some day. But in our world it is playing on the dock impossible, because of constant social pressure which fosters an incredible amount of body shame and obsession with clothing. These messages are deeply embedded in most people since childhood, and reinforced constantly through the way our world is built and the reactions of others. Most people’s fear of nudity and their body is so deeply ingrained in their psyche that it has become subconscious, instinctual, and emotional.

There are many variations of clothing-optional around the world. They generally don’t work, because they don’t operate independently from the rest of the world. Naturist places are a subset of society, not a truly independent culture. Since the pressures of the textile world are ever-present in naturism, we must apply an equal, balancing pressure in naturist clubs to maintain naturist values.

So naturism at Bare Oaks cannot be clothing-optional, because we are:

Living a philosophy:
Naturism is a philosophy of life. It’s a way of thinking, acting, and looking at the rest of the world. We are fostering respect for self, for others, and for the environment. Complete nudity is fundamental to those values.

Fighting powerful social conditioning:
Even the most long-time naturist still harbours some discomfort with nudity in certain situations. Whether it’s dancing, eating in a restaurant, or sitting in certain positions, many of us still feel that discomfort. Because of the incessant outside influences mentioned above, nobody is making a truly free choice when they opt to stay clothed. In this social experiment we call naturism, we must help all people to become more comfortable with their bodies in all situations.

There are men in naturist clubs who wear shorts when walking because they feel it is more comfortable. Is it a physical comfort or psychological comfort? A naturist woman once asserted that she felt more feminine with a wrap on. How can she view a piece of cloth as more feminine than her own natural form? When asked why he wraps his towel tightly around his waist, a naturist young man explained that it was the most convenient way to carry it. Is wrapping really easier than throwing it over your shoulder? Is it convenience or rationalization?

In all the examples above, the individuals truly believed what they were saying. The unconscious mind is tremendously adept at rationalizing the reasons for the emotional discomforts created by nudity.

What about those who are new?
We understand that people new to naturism need some time to adjust. If you or someone in your party chooses to stay clothed during the adjustment period, please be respectful of others. Be discreet. Find a quiet spot where you can take some time to adjust. Clothing is never permitted while swimming or using the sauna, whirlpool or showers.

Promoting equality
Clothing is used to denote social, economic, political, or professional status. We use clothing not only to shield our bodies when we are ashamed, but to elevate ourselves socially. That leads to an endless cycle where people seek walkto outdo others, or at least match them. By removing our clothes, we are showing respect for others through real modesty.

As stated by Marc-Alain Descamps, the brilliant French social psychologist whose treatises on naturism are some of the best, “the reciprocal visual bestowal of complete nudity defuses the exhibitionist/voyeur relationship.” If one person is dressed while others are nude, it is difficult, even for a naturist, to get away completely from voyeurism. Conversely, a nude person in front of dressed people, such as a nude model posing for photographers, comprises some elements of exhibitionism.

Making it easier on new people:
While a clothing-optional policy might seem to make it easier on new people, it is our experience that it only allows them to delay, indefinitely, the reason for their visit. The more nude people are around, the easier it is for visitors to disrobe for the first time. As has been widely reported, once people finally break their social conditioning in a naturist environment, they usually become comfortable within a short period, sometimes only a few minutes.

Excluding aberrant individuals:
It’s an unfortunate reality that some members of our society have developed views of sexuality and the body that are inconsistent with naturist values. Since their intent in visiting a naturist environment is inappropriate, they must be excluded. When forced to be nude, they generally feel vulnerable because naturist ideals are not consistent with their attitude. Then they leave, or their intent becomes noticeable and they’re asked to leave.

Keeping company with like-minded people:
So much of the world is intolerant of our values that we spend most of our time feeling that they are under assault; so much so that many naturists are afraid to even tell others of their beliefs. A visit to a naturist club should provide a time when we feel surrounded by like-minded people who share our passion.

How to Become a Naturist

There are numerous advantages to the naturist, or nudist, lifestyle, including the pleasure of feeling the sun all over your body, no tan lines, and the healthy self-confidence that naturism reflects. Many of us find it too embarrassing to be naked even in front of loved ones, let alone strike up a conversation with a fellow vacationer at a nudist resort. Conversely, many of us are quite comfortable being nude yet don’t know how or where to practice naturism. The following guide will increase your comfort with naturism, and help you find ways and places to practice it.

1. 2
   2
2. Get comfortable with nudity.

1. 
   • Realize that nudity is natural. We are born naked and it is our natural state. Yes, people have sex naked, but nudity itself is not sexual and revealing clothing is often more sexually suggestive than your birthday suit. Consider how unsexy those groggy Monday morning showers can be.
   • Allow yourself to enjoy nudity. Nudity can be pleasing to the senses: the feel of air or water flowing uninterrupted across your entire body awakens the senses and may be arousing. This is healthy and natural.You should not feel ashamed to have or explore these sexual feelings. Suppressing sexual feelings is unhealthy in general, and suppressing them in the context of naturism negates the healthy benefits of a naturist lifestyle.
     
   • Sleep naked. Not topless or in your underwear, completely naked (and yes, the socks have to go, too). Sleeping naked promotes relaxation and thus improves the quality of your sleep. On warm nights, sleep naked and skip bed-coverings, too, and see how good you feel fully exposed to the open air. If you find sleeping naked difficult, work your way up to it. Shed one piece of clothing, for example your pajama top, and when you’re accustomed to sleeping without that, shed the next piece, and so on until you’re sleeping nude.
   • Stay naked after a shower. Towel dry and go about the rest of your routine naked.
   • Spend as much time as you can around the house naked – while you’re eating, while you’re cleaning, and especially while you’re relaxing, be it in front of the TV, with a good book or sunning in your backyard.
   • If you exercise at home, do it naked.
2. 2
   Find a community. A online search will help you locate your nearest naturist club or beach. Once you’re comfortable being naked at home, take the next step and visit a naturist community.
   
• Don’t let feelings of inadequacy hinder you. Once you visit a naturist community, you’ll realize that everyone is different in some way and that none of it is wrong. The visitors aren't worrying about their bodies, or yours, they’re simply there to enjoy the pleasure of naturism in a friendly environment.
• Take a naturist holiday. France is an excellent naturist destination. If France is too far, closer to home you should be able to find clothing-optional resorts, natural mountain hot springs for nude soaking, and skinny-dipping spots.
• Continue to be naked whenever you can. Check out your local laws regarding being topless in public, including at parks, swimming pools and at the beach. Likewise, you can participate in one of the fun naked bike rides that take place the world over. Go nude where it is appropriate, hiking, nature reserves. Be comfortable with yourself and by experience one can go nude as long you don't upset other people.

3. Tips

   • Naturism is often easier and more fun when practiced with a friend or partner.
   • Be sure to wear ample amounts of sunblock when outdoors.
   • If you are a girl and on your menstrual cycle, take precautions before sleeping naked.

   
   

   Warnings

   • In many places, public nudity (nudity in a non-designated naturist area) is legal; for example, in Britain public nudity is legal. But this is not so everywhere: in the United States, nudity laws vary, but many localities are adopting a more open attitude to simple public nudity and legalizing it, so long as there is no intent to alarm or arouse. Contact a local naturist organization to find out what is allowed in public.
   • Cooking naked is not recommended, as it is much easier to get burned. Likewise, it can be difficult to treat burns to the genital and posterior regions.

Nudity Provides Health Benefits for Your Body and Brain

Is clothing crushing us? Are we trapped in tomb-like textiles, exiling our flesh from experiencing the environment? Are we atrophying our epidermis, our senses, our neuro-intelligence?

If you put a plaster cast on a broken arm the skin starves for Vitamin D, the muscles weaken due to strangled range of motion, the nerve synapses depress to a whimper of their former joy. Twenty-first century hominids? We shroud our entire skin palette except for face, neck and hands - we obliterate symbiosis with the planet.
We hide in cocoons, when we could be free as butterflies.

History reveals many cultures that were not clothes-minded. Spartans were basically bare and their victories in pan-Hellenic sports competitions enticed all neighboring Greeks to exercise nude, creating the word “gymnasium”(Greekgymnos = naked). Romans mingled in magnificent bathhouses, enjoying dense communal nudity as they drank, dined, defecated, bathed, read books, argued politics, and watched theater.  

Adamists — naked heretics — performed stripped-down church services in North Africa, Bohemia, the Netherlands, and England. Pre-Hitler Germans were avid adherents of Freikorperkultur (“Free Body Culture”) with 70,000 attending co-ed Nacktkultur schools.

There’s naked Japanese in hot springs, naked Finns in saunas, “sky-clad” Jain monks in India, plus millions of nudists worldwide going to “Nakation” camps, beaches, and resorts. 

They’re still sporty as Spartans, eager to hike naked (“free bush rambling”), canoe naked (“canuding”), bicycle naked, ride horses naked, run naked, play volleyball, badminton, ping-pong and chess naked, swim naked, dance naked, do Naked Yoga, Naked Tai Chi, Naked Gardening, Naked Bowling, and of course, many of us, perhaps you and I, dear readers, are NIFOC — Naked In Front of Computers.

Many famous figures were bare-all aficionados; too many politicians to name, so I’ll just list sci-fi and scientists: Leonard Nimoy, Alexander Graham Bell,  Robert Heinlein, and seismologist Charles Richter. Nudism is prominent in Philip Jose Farmer’s Riverworld books and John Varley’s Steel Beach. Celebrities? Many movie stars skinny-dip at the French Riviera, trying to elude paparazzi seeking pix of Bruce WIllis’willy or Natalie Portman’s port side.

Here’s evidence suggesting that skin-only can be superior:

Born Free.  Pediatricians agree that infants thrive with a daily dose of “naked time” because the unhampered range of motion aids brain development, stimulating neuron growth. Recent discoveries reveal that the “plastic” brain changes and develops throughout our entire lives. Neuroplasticity pioneer Michael M. Merzenich believes,  “Everything that you can see happen in a young brain can happen in an older brain.” Doesn’t this imply that “naked time” is equally valuable for humans of any age, especially the elderly?

Weakened Bodies. A 2003 University of Reading study entitled “A Naked Ape Would Have Fewer Parasites” posits that “humans evolved hairlessness to reduce parasite loads, especially ectoparasites that may carry disease.” Unfortunately, the garments we wear can be a breeding ground for filthy fungi and bad bacterium, causing yeast infections, urinary tract infections, rotting toenails. Lyme Disease deer ticks can grab onto our sweaters and sea lice can sneak into our bathing suit crotches. Cinched-up belts, ties, and clothes impede breathing. Men’s snug pants raise testicle temperature, lowering sperm count and fertility.

Barefoot Medicine. Going shoeless is now recognized as an anti-Alzheimer’s, brain-boosting activity because the sole sensation entices your brain into growing extra, efficient neuron connections. Dr. Norman Doidge (author of The Brain That Changes Itself) believes skipping shoes increases brain flexibility and youthfulness, and many podiatrists now advise going barefoot as much as possible. Bare feet are today’s prescription. Will tomorrow’s elixir take the next step: Bare Body?

Superior Socialization. Self-actualization proponent Abraham Maslow believed “Nudism… is itself a kind of therapy.” Health benefits of social nudity include stress reduction, satiation of curiosity about the human body, reduction of porn addiction, a sense of full-body integration and developing a wholesome attitude about the opposite gender. Research at the University of Northern Iowa discovered that nudists have significantly higher body self-acceptance. Another study concluded that teens at a New York nudist camp were “extraordinarily well-adjusted, happy, and thoughtful.” It’s also excellent for children to grow up free of shame about the human body.

Tolerant Views.A University of Central Florida 2008 study of 384 participants concluded that pro-nudity students “were significantly more accepting of other religious groups and gays and lesbians” when compared to the anti-nudity students. They were also “less prejudiced towards ethnically dissimilar others.”

Soothe Away Your Crazies. Massage is recognized as a therapeutic treatment for mental health issues like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolarism, borderline personality disorder, learning difficulties, and low self-esteem. The skin stimulation of massage — improving blood flow and detoxifying the lymph system — is duplicated by the warmth, freedom, and improved circulation generated in nakedness.

Soak Up The Rays Vitamin D deficiency is currently soaring, with up to 75% of USA teens and adults receiving insufficient amounts of the “sunshine vitamin.” Lack of this essential health aid is a factor in numerous ailments, including cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Anyone who bares all outside as a “naturist” harvests larger amounts of Vitamin D in a quicker time span.

Financial Liberation. Clothes are a huge money and time-suck with shopping, laundry, closets, dressers, and gazillions of hours wasted wondering what so-and-so looks like with their garments removed. The global markets for swimsuits alone is expected to reach $17.6 billion annually by 2015; our carbon footprint would shrink like a wool sweater if fabric was no longer manufactured.

So… is the future going to be full frontal? Will the post-Singularity planet be stripped? Will everyone in a climate-controlled tomorrow choose to be nude, strutting around like the Nuba dancers and boxers of Leni Reifenstahl?

Trends point to an era where there won’t be a stitch to worry about. Many resort areas are are now offering nudism to increase tourism, and American naturist clubs claim their enrollment is growing 20% annually. The German airline OssiUrlaub.de offered nude chartered flights to a Baltic sea resort, and today’s lengthy luggage searches at airports are steering travelers to destinations where they only need carry-on towels and sunblock. Twenty million Europeans already go to nude beaches and spas.

Getting goosebumps imagining it, are you?

Ten Tips for First Timers Nudist

1. For your first time, go to a naturist resort (i.e. one which is set in wide, open natural surroundings) - possibly a campsite with caravan and cabin stay. The great thing about these is that they are relaxed, with plenty of privacy when required, and they generally have a central area with spas and seating where you can relax, socialise, and be among like-minded people. Spend a bit of money and go somewhere nice. This trip will set the tone of all your future nudist endeavours. You only have your first time once, so make it good!

2. Go somewhere at least a few hours drive from where you live. There are two reasons for this. (1) It lessens the chance of your seeing anyone you know - it's much easier to strip for the first time with only strangers around (trust me - any nudist will agree). Also, (2) it lets you feel that you are away from all the daily stresses and conventions of life. This should be a vacation, and a vacation is much more fun when you actually vacate your usual haunts. Also, you'll be more inclined to follow through if you make the whole experience into an adventure.

3. This one's for the nervous men out there. Guys, I know what you're thinking, and it involves the behaviour (or lack thereof) of your pee-pee. Let me reassure you…you will not spend your entire visit to a nudist/naturist resort with an erection. Believe me, you are no more likely to be erect after you've disrobed than you are walking around in your suit-and-tie. Granted, you may very occasionally become semi-erect (or even fully erect), but no more so (and probably less) than you would in fully clothed circumstances. So stop worrying about it. It simply will not be a problem. Any nudist will back me up on this one.

4. Take a "security blanket". Your "security blanket" is something non-obtrusive which you can discretely use to cover your genitals. You won't actually use it, but it'll make you feel a bit better during your first five minutes of nakedness. For my first time, I took a guitar, which I could kneel down over and play (thereby covering some key areas of my body) if required. Some other forms of a "security blanket"' could be a towel (not worn, but carried), a big satchel, a large cooler box, a deck chair, or a picnic blanket. I'm sure you can think of something.

5. Flirting/being flirted with can be uncomfortable or intimidating even when clothed. When you're naked, it can be even worse. As any experienced nudist will tell you, nudism has nothing to do with sex, and flirting with strangers is frowned upon. Feel free to be affectionate with your established partner, but please respect others' desire to be comfortable. If someone is flirting with you and you are feeling uncomfortable, do something about it, which makes it clear that his/her attentions are not welcome. If you feel like you are being harassed let the owners or staff know, and they will deal with the problem. This said, neither my partner nor I have ever encountered this. Apparently, it is more likely to happen on nudist beaches (which are free-to-access by all kinds of people, including gawkers - clothed individuals who like looking at nude people). That's why we only go to places which are somewhat out of the way (in terms of location), and where you have to pay to stay.

6. Pack at least two items of clothing: a comfy, button-up long-sleeved shirt (casual flannel is fine) and a pair of slops (or thongs, as they are sometimes called). I also usually take a jersey and a pair of sunglasses.

7. Two words: sun cream.

8. Two more words: insect repellent.

9. And two more. Bring book. Um, ok, maybe the concept needs a few more words to be fully articulated, so here goes. You are probably going to spend a fair amount of time sitting in the sun and reading. To do this, you will probably need reading material. I usually bring several books and magazines, but I am something of a readaholic.

10. Don't try to loose 3kg off your buttocks/wax your pubic region into a perfect "v"/madly exfoliate your buttocks just because you will be going naked in front of strangers. Believe it or not, nobody will care how you look (except for commenting on that interesting piercing), and you will find that body shape, size or texture will cease being important in your interaction with others. I'm sure a psychologist could explain this phenomonon, but I'm not a psychologist. All I know is that this is very true - being naked makes all of these issues…unimportant. You'll see. 

Overcoming Your Fear of Social Nudity

Many people have a deep seated fear of appearing nude in a public setting. In fact for many, it has been observed that only the fear of public speaking rivals public nudity for the power to induce sheer terror in the hearts of many of us. Still being nude in public holds a certain degree of appeal for many of us causing it to be an experience that some secretly long to try.If you've ever given thought to trying social nudity but feel that you are just too nervous to try it, allow me to offer some suggestions that might enable you to overcome your fear and embrace the joys of going au naturel.

Fear of public nudity is quite common and natural given that most of us have been socialized since childhood to feel that exposing our bodies in mixed company is wrong or even sinful. Coupling that with that the common fear of the unknown that most human beings have, one can quite readily understand why someone wouldn’t be immediately comfortable with the idea of going nude in a communal setting. Phobias are usually best overcome by taking small steps. As a child you first learned to crawl, then to stand, then to take a few wobbly steps and much later you finally learned to run. This is a good method to employ in any endeavor that you feel is challenging and just a bit scary. Take your time and progress by taking small steps.

Looking at pictures of nude people in public social nudity situations may help you to relax a little as it will help you to accept that it isn’t abnormal or lewd behavior. Many times it helps to know you won’t be the first person in the world to go naked in front of complete strangers. I don’t suggest that you choose pornography for this exercise as pornography is intentionally calculated to cause sexual arousal for the viewer. The very first thing one must do when contemplating nudity from a naturists perspective is to debase oneself of the idea that casual social nudity has anything to do with sex because that is simply not the case. For those who have no experience with being nude outside the context of sexual activity it is sometimes difficult to draw the distinction between nudity and sex, but just trust me you can learn to do so and many before you have done exactly that. There are plenty of non-erotic, non-sexual nudist sites where you can have ample opportunities to view real nudists in real social nudity situations.

Another non-threatening way of helping to learn to feel more comfortable with the idea of trying social nudity is to first learn to feel comfortable with your own nudity. It’s okay, we are NOT professionals and it IS okay to try this at home. Try to experience nudity outside the context of sexual activity or the context of bathing or showering, the only experience with nudity that many of us may have ever had. It may be for some that the first small steps toward gaining some comfortableness with their own nudity that they may be able to manage is to go nude within the safe confines of their own home. If that happens to be the case for you there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and that’s fine in the beginning. Just get completely nude and I suggest do some simple everyday activities while nude: Read a book, do some common household chores or watch television. I think you will be surprised at how quickly you acclimate to be spending time in the buff and perhaps even more surprised by how quickly you come to enjoy the feeling of being free of restrictive, binding clothing when you don’t have to be clothed. If you do harbor that spark of desire to try social nudity, then once you have become comfortable with home nudity it is time to push the envelope just a bit.

Most of us can easily learn to feel comfortable being nude in the safety of our home, but the idea of being nude outdoors is a bit more daunting. Still if you are willing, you can do it and learn that it really isn’t so scary after all. If you have a backyard with a privacy fence or an apartment patio or balcony with substantial privacy, you can try the next experiment any time without fear of someone observing you. Even those who live in an apartment setting and have a patio or balcony that offers little in the way of privacy can do it too just as long as you wait until it is dark out and perhaps a bit late at night when there are fewer people out and about who might see you. For the first time, take a watch with you and commit yourself to spending a minimum of 15 minutes nude outdoors in your backyard, on your patio or on your balcony. Then simply get completely naked and make yourself go out the door. While I have every reason to believe that you will have come to feel much more comfortable at the end of the 15 minutes than you might have felt at the beginning, you still may be left with a few reservations and that’s certainly okay. But for that very reason, you should really try this experiment several times rather than just once, and you might try extending the amount of time by 5 minutes each time you repeat it. I think you will feel much more comfortable than you every imagined possible after a few experiences with this and being nude outdoors will really help you gain some confidence towards trying social nudity for the first time. Actually, the majority of social nudity experiences occur in an outdoor setting which is why it is important to get a feel for being nude outdoors.

Finally, you have gotten a bit more comfortable both with your own nudity and with being nude outdoors. It is now time for your first solo to use an aviator’s term. After perhaps many practice runs, it is time to fly. Some might choose to visit a clothing-optional beach if there is one located nearby since this is a designated venue for nudists and one where you can go to experience social nudity for the first time. Personally, this would not be my first choice for a couple of reasons. First, clothing-optional means exactly that so even in the area where there will be people completely nude, you are also likely to encounter just as many folks who are clothed, if only in swimwear. The presence of clothed people will really make it all that much more difficult for you to decide to get nude. Secondly, it is an unfortunate fact of life that many voyeurs haunt clothing-optional areas and perv on nudists which is likely to be very upsetting and intimidating to the first timer. Even if they happen to be a good distance away using telephoto lenses or binoculars they are unlikely to escape your attention and the effects will be the same.

The other alternative is a clothing-optional club or resort. Here I’m talking about a club or resort that owns their own land and club facilities and where you generally find things like swimming pools, hot tubs, clubhouses, nature trails and the like. Almost without exception, the owners and staff of such clubs and resorts know that a person can’t overcome years of socialization in an instant and you should not feel pressured at all to immediately get naked. Oftentimes they will talk with you for a period of time, explain the club layout, inform you of activities available and review any rules. That is usually followed up with a tour and the whole time this is taking place you can remain clothed. If you feel too intimidated or nervous to go alone, try recruiting a friend or friends to accompany you. There is always strength in numbers. The more familiar faces you have to go through this with you, the more likely you are to try it and actually enjoy it.

Even those venues advertised as “clothing-optional” will eventually get around to the subject of you getting nude if you are a male. This is because it is the one sure way to separate nudists, even new ones from voyeurs and they want the other guests to feel comfortable by knowing voyeurs are excluded from the premises. Women on the other hand in these venues are frequently allowed to keep their clothes on as long as they wish and only expected to get nude when they are personally comfortable with the idea. Some women beginners like to start out with going topless for a while before deciding to remove the clothing covering their lower body areas. After a period of time you may find you actually feel a bit uncomfortable being clothed when nearly everyone else is nude.

While visiting a resort of club, be sure to participate in as many activities as possible. Enjoy the sun, go for a swim and try hiking on the nature trails if any. But also make sure to mingle with the nude people. Strike up some conversations. Once you see so many people around you going naked and not only feeling comfortable about it, but actually finding it enjoyable, you too will likely to begin feeling much more comfortable with the idea yourself. In talking with some of the other nudists you will quickly discover that most of the ones you'll encounter are friendly and welcoming. Be forewarned that initially your eyes will likely be drawn involuntarily towards the breasts, genitals and bottoms of others present and that is absolutely okay. Looking is fine and expected, while starring is not. It is simply human nature to be curious about what other people’s body parts look like when you are unaccustomed to seeing them in full view. But quickly this too shall pass and you will find yourself looking people in the eyes and concentrating on their faces while speaking to them. Also when visiting established nudist or clothing optional clubs or resorts, don’t forget to take a towel along as it is common and expected nudist etiquette to sit on your own towel while using public seating.

Once you gain a degree of feeling comfortable with being nude among some total strangers in a club or resort setting, you can reinforce this by making it a habit to be nude on occasion in front of some friends who won’t be offended by it or around your significant other. Even spending time nude in the presence of close friends you trust can make future experiences of spending time nude in social environments with strangers of both sexes seem like a much smaller leap. Some may even want to add this step before that first trip to a club or resort to prime the pump so to speak.

You can also continue practicing spending time nude in your own backyard or on your patio or balcony. This will continue to reinforce the feeling of being comfortable while nude and outside your own home. In time you will gain greater comfort with spending time nude and greater confidence too. Some people often reach a point where they are no longer satisfied with just spending time nude in designated nudist environments and that is okay too. You might pick a secluded spot for some new nudity experiences: Some nearby wooded area, perhaps a quiet and deserted meadow with enough trees to offer sufficient privacy or even a national or state park in an area with low to non-existent people traffic. You do want to reduce your chances of getting caught as much as possible when practicing outdoor nudity away from established nudist venues, because unfortunately many people are quite uncomfortable with nudity, especially the nudity of others and may become easily offended. Once you get to the point of trying these venues, I think you can pat yourself on the back and consider yourself a true nudist. Now might be the time when you are ready to tackle that clothing-optional beach if you have one available and the voyeurs be damned.

A few things to be cautious about especially once you feel confident enough to go nude in other than established nudist venues is don’t go naked anywhere you could possibly be observed by children. Outside of family-friendly nudist resorts, even those people in general society most tolerant to nudity are offended by anyone who would "expose" their genitals in the presence of children. Also, as mentioned previously, there are those in our society who are simply offended by nudity for a variety of reasons. It isn't the aim of any true naturist to offend anyone. While we enjoy being nude, we limit it to appropriate locations and circumstances where there is little if any risk of being observed by anyone who might be offended. It is always best to err on the safe side rather than running the risk of going afoul of the law by being a bit too confident and brazen about your public nudity practices. Now that you have the tools, go forth and conquer your fears about public nudity and learn just how much fun and how freeing it feels to go clothes free.

Barriers to Social Nudity Faced by Females

Anyone who has been involved in naturism for any time at all quickly learns the fact that far fewer women than men seem to enjoy participation in social nudism. At clothing optional beaches for example there are generally several times as many men as women. The same is true of online nudist and naturist discussion groups. Only in private clubs and resorts, where deliberate quotas are enforced does anything approaching parity between the sexes occur.

The focus today is on the barriers to female participation in social nudity. In a future article I will explore some of the reasons why men seem to be more attracted to social nudity and seem more willing to adopt the naturist lifestyle.

Just why do so many more men than women seem to enjoy social nudity? Are women just less likely to find the experience of nudity, either privately or socially enjoyable than men? Or is there another explanation for the persistent gender imbalance commonly found in social nudity circles?

Significant deterrents do exist for women when it comes to social nudity that men do not have to deal with and I feel this is why fewer women are involved. These include greater problems with body image, concerns about voyeurism and sexual harassment, worries about physical safety, and simply the conditioned cultural disapproval of nudity in general - the general attitude has been that nudity is offensive, disgusting, lewd, shameful and immoral. The weight of social tradition is much more likely to be an issue for women than men.

Even for women who manage to overcome these obstacles, and are able to feel relatively at ease with being naked in public and who have come to discover that they enjoy it, there remains one other significant problem. Since many more men than women choose to participate in social nudity, some women nudists may feel simply feel intimidated and inhibited simply because there are fewer of them, in other words by the sheer imbalance of numbers among the sexes. The gender imbalance may not even be an obstacle to female participation necessarily because of concerns about rude behavior or physical safety. It can simply be that women like to spend time socializing with other women at about any kind of social gathering, whether naked or clothed. Thus, the absence of other women in significant numbers, to talk with and socialize with can be a real deterrent to many women having the desire to participate in social nudity.

Clearly, a woman who is able to get past all the obstacles and learns to feel at ease with and enjoy being nude in a social setting deserves great admiration. I feel it takes a great deal of courage for a woman to get past all the barriers to the enjoyment of social nudity that can be identified. She must also he bold enough to overcome complex social and cultural conditioning embedded since childhood that equates nudity with sexuality and creates unhealthy attitudes about human bodies. She must be willing to shed the negative body image perceptions she may have, imposed by mass media constantly bombarding women with perfect images of an air-brushed, cosmetic beauty standard which only a tiny percentage could hope to approach much less retain for very long.

Women also have to consider the consequences of family, friends, or employer finding out about her participation in social nudity. Even if she knows better, others in our repressed society may label her as a hedonist or at minimum, a compulsive exhibitionist. She may have concerns about how her participation in social nudity will affect her relationship with a significant other. If she is a mother, the issues of social nudity multiply and magnify. What about her children’s safety and welfare? Is it harmful for the young to see adults nude? What about the possible negative judgments of her fitness as a parent by ignorant family and friends who might find out?

It really seems a wonder that women even consider, much less risk, social nudity despite all the touted benefits of clothes free living. What a leap of faith it must take for a woman to overcome her litany of anxieties in order to be nude and vulnerable among strangers for the first time. It is a shame that women face so many determents to participation in social nudity. A naturist experience has the power to make special contributions to women because it is so very different from the anti-female culture that teaches them to reject their bodies and can help them to appropriate the truth that each person’s body is a uniquely beautiful, original creation and an incomparable work of natural art. Women can learn that social nudity actually defuses sexual tension and feels so freeing and relaxing. Because it is such a humanizing experience, being nude with people also facilitates communications across gender and generational gaps, making us feel a part of some great universal family.

In subsequent posts, I will discuss individually and in more detail, the obstacles and barriers to female participation in social nudity and will attempt to offer solutions which might help a female curious about naturism but daunted by the deterrents to feel more inclined to try nudity and experience it in a social setting. It is human nature to fear the unknown and sometimes the obstacles and barriers are much larger and more intimidating in the mind than they actually turn out to be in reality.

FAQ by WOMEN for WOMEN

Q: What if I'm not in the best of shape? Do I have to have a perfect body to go to a nude swim?

A: The perfect body does not exist. 99.9% of us don't have that "perfect" body. We are all of different shapes and sizes and the shape of our bodies is unimportant. Your imperfections are normal and should not be a source of anxiety. Nudists feel comfortable about their body and forget about their imperfections because it's not something that matters a great deal to us.

Q: Why do people like to swim without a bathing suit? What's the big deal anyway?

A: The freedom of swimming clothes-free is wonderful. Once you try skinny-dipping, you'll never want to swim with a suit on again.

Q: What can I expect at the swim just for women?

A: You will be greeted at the front desk by the organizers of the swim where you can ask any questions that you may have, find out about other events, clubs and organizations. Once in the pool you can expect to relax and enjoy a nice swim, there will be no men anywhere nearby, a totally private place where you will meet lots of other women of all shapes and sizes who also enjoy skinny dipping.

Q: Are the co-ed swims any different from the women only swims?

A: The only difference is that there are more people that attend, and the swims occur more often than the women only swims.

Q: What are the age groups that attend co-ed swims?

A: You'll see singles, couples and families of all ages attending the swims. People of all ages are welcome.

Q: Is there any sexual activity present at co-ed swims?

A: None whatsoever. Any sexual conduct is unwelcome at any nude swims or other events.

Why Don't More Young Adults Try Social Nudity?

If you're reading this, the chances are you are in one of two categories. Either you are someone who has already discovered the benefits and pleasures of a more clothes-free way of living, but you have noticed that not many young adults seem to have made the same discovery. Or else you are a young adult who has little or no experience with clothes-freedom, and you wonder why some people make such a big deal out of something that may not seem all that appealing.

There are probably many different reasons that young adults don't seem interested in trying social nudity - just as there are many different reasons that anyone might have for a reluctance to try it. Almost as many different reasons as there are people. But they do tend to fall into certain typical categories. And some of these categories seem to apply especially to young adults.

So we're going to try to list as many of the typical reasons as possible. And for each reason, we'll try to suggest why the reason need not by an insurmountable deterrent - and simple steps that anyone can take to overcome the obstacle if he/she wishes to.

But first let's address something which is probably is not a real issue. Namely, there isn't anything inherent about being in the 18-30 age range that makes a person averse to nudity. With younger teenagers (13 to 17) there may well be. These are difficult times of adjusting to both major changes in one's body as well as taking major steps towards independence from one's parents.

Young adults, however, should be well on their way to putting such issues behind them. They are considered "adults" because they have in fact achieved enough maturity to deal more rationally than emotionally with the problems of adolescence. And this includes being able to deal with nudity.

There are plenty of examples which show that young people are quite able to deal with nudity and enjoy it under appropriate circumstances. Just look at the popularity of mass nude runs (sometimes known as "streaking") at colleges and universities - for example the University of Michigan "Naked Mile". And an even bigger example is the Burning Man Festival.

Of course, in both of those cases, the percentage of people who actually take part in the nudity is small. But the same is true for people of any age in the general population. Social nudity in some form or another is still decidedly a minority interest. However, there probably is little difference by age group as to the relative size of the minority. For instance, about 500 to 1000 students participated in the latest "Naked Mile" run (1998), and this is 1% to 2% of the total enrollment at Michigan (about 180, 980180, 980). These percentages are not very different from the overall percentage of people who participate in social nudity at home and certain public areas like clothing-optional beaches. (The percentage of people who enjoy nudity under more private conditions is probably much higher.)

So with that out of the way, let's look at some of the reasons that young adults in particular may be discouraged from trying social nudity.

   1. Young people prefer to associate with others near their own age, yet they find few people of their age involved in clothes-free activities.

          It is true that most participants in organized nudist/naturist activities are over 30 - for all of the reasons listed here. Unfortunately, this is a self-reinforcing, self-perpetuating phenomenon, if young people stay away from social nudity simply because they don't immediately find others about their age. It may be necessary to find others one person at a time, and form new social groups. Fortunately, there are many new tools now available on the Internet to find other people in one's own area with similar interests, things like message forums, mailing lists, chat systems, and Web site "guest books". There are now a few Web sites specifically set up to assist young people with an interest in social nudity to make contact.

   2. Young people just aren't interested in the sedate, "family-oriented" lifestyle promoted at many nudist clubs and resorts.

          Young people who visit traditional nudist clubs and resorts often find them boring. This is really just a corollary of the fact most of the membership at such places is considerably older. Older people will naturally shape the available activities into what is most appealing to themselves rather than what younger people would like. The solution is for young people to organize groups and activities according to their own tastes. Again, it's necessary to use other avenues to locate young people interested in social nudity. In point of fact, the membership of traditional nudist clubs and resorts is only a small percentage - perhaps 1% to 2% - of the population which is interested in social nudity. This latter group is much larger, but people in it are much harder to find with a map or directory. However, once you find others interested in social nudity, you can get together for activities such as visiting clothing-optional beaches, hot springs, and the like - or just parties at someone's home. A little research will also show that there are various existing groups which combine social nudity with active sports like volleyball, running, canoeing, and hiking. You'll find a higher proportion of young folks in groups like this.

   3. Young people, especially those who don't have an ongoing relationship, feel a higher degree of sexual tension that is stimulated by nudity.

          There may be no quick fix for this. You have to be very clear that organized social nudity is not a form of sexual entertainment. Its purpose is something altogether different from the release of sexual tension. To deal with that, there isn't any good alternative to forming the kind of special relationship with another person (or persons) that is right for each individual. That should be the first goal: work on your own social life. Then you will find that social nudity really is free from sexual tension. But single people can definitely enjoy social nudity - as long as they pursue other appropriate outlets for their sexual needs. Obviously, it will help if one can find a partner who shares one's interest in social nudity. But the truth is that it's much easier to find an appropriate partner in the much wider world outside of organized social nudity.

   4. Teenagers going through puberty are usually uncomfortable with their bodies. This discomfort often tends to persist into the young adult years.

          A young adult is, by definition, more mature than a teenager. The best advice one can give to anyone over 18 who still has hang-ups about how his/her body looks is: get over it! There really isn't anything awful or gross or disgusting or "offensive" about how a naked body looks. We all have one. It's absurd to be, unlike any other animal, unable to stand the sight of a normal member of one's species. Everyone needs to learn "body acceptance", because that is part of self-acceptance, which is a tremendously important part of growing up. Becoming involved with social nudity, in fact, almost always helps enormously with achieving body acceptance. The first steps can be hard - but then it gets drastically easier.

   5. There is a strong pressure on young people to have "beautiful" or "attractive" bodies, but going naked lets everyone see the imperfections in one's body.

          To the extent that physical attractiveness plays a role in mate selection, there is going to be such a pressure. But does being naked actually reveal that much more of one's body than happens with a typical swimsuit? No, except (perhaps) for the genitals the essential details are pretty obvious. Assuming that you do as much as is reasonably necessary (in your opinion) to be in good physical shape, your body is just fine the way it is naturally. And as a young person, your body is probably as "attractive" as it ever will be, so appreciate it at its best! Genetically speaking, almost no one actually has the shape of the supermodels heavily promoted by the media and advertising. The sooner you realize this and adopt realistic expectations about your own body's appearance, and that of actual or potential mates, the happier you will be. That's what body acceptance is all about.

   6. Young people are more susceptible to peer pressure, and traditional nudist/naturist activities are not socially "acceptable" in many circles.

          This is another holdover from the teenage years, when peer pressure is, generally, far too important. If the concept of "cool" implies some peer-generated standard of how you have to be, it's a bad idea. It's time to get over this as well. Most people eventually realize it isn't necessary to wear the same sort and styles of clothes as everyone else. Take it further, and you realize it isn't necessary to wear clothes at all (in an appropriate environment). Ask yourself: whose life is it, anyway? You only get one chance at it, so do it the way you want, not the way "everyone else" seems to think necessary - if you believe you have sound reasons for the difference. Keep in mind Thoreau's remark: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

   7. Students and young people in relatively low-paying jobs have little money to spend on travel and club fees.

          Since traditional nudist clubs and resorts aren't necessarily the best places for young people to enjoy social nudity anyway, what difference does it make? The basic fact is that enjoying nudity is one of the least expensive forms of fun there is - you actually save money that doesn't have to be spent on unnecessary "status" clothing and laundry. You don't have to go any farther than your own home or apartment to enjoy social nudity. Although most people are not so fortunate as to live close to established clothing-optional beaches, there are still many possibilities for nude hiking and skinny-dipping in remote areas on public lands if you're in shape to visit more out of the way places.

   8. Young men who lack a willing female companion are discouraged from visiting some nudist clubs and resorts alone.

          This is true in some cases. But remember what we've been saying all along - established clubs and resorts represent just a small fraction of people interested in social nudity. Explore all the other alternatives. Consider forming your own club. You don't have to own land - most nudist/naturist clubs are "non-landed". Often they're just groups of friends, not formally incorporated as a club. Their activities include recreation on public lands, get-togethers at members' homes, and (occasionally) even visiting landed clubs.

   9. Young people lack experience in the practicalities of organizing social clubs and events for themselves.

          There's so much to learn in life, we're all dead before we learn even a fraction of it. But there's no reason to be afraid of learning new things that are useful to us. Young people are usually busy learning the details of a profession, how to manage finances, perhaps how to take care of small children. All of these things are a lot more complex than organizing a social club.

  10. Students with a heavy course load, and perhaps a part-time job, have little time for planned social events. Young people getting started in a career are expected to work long hours. There just isn't much time for a social life, especially one that is not part of "the beaten path" in mainstream society.

          It doesn't get any easier until you're ready to retire or (at least) until your own children leave home. No matter how busy you feel right now, the more responsibilities you acquire over the years (on the job or around the house) the less "free" time you're going to have. The truth is, if you're under 30, the chances are that you have more time to enjoy now than you will later. So enjoy it now, while you can. The whole secret of managing time is in setting priorities. Some amount and type of recreation should be a priority. The question is: will it be with clothes, or without.

  11. Colleges and universities are reluctant to allow campus naturist organizations to receive official sponsorship out of concern for problems with sexual harassment or nudity involving students under 18 years old.

          This problem, of course, arises only for young people still in an educational institution, if they want to use any campus facilities for their organizing and meetings. Keep in mind that sexual harassment and "underage" nudity are legitimate concerns of school administrators, especially in these politically correct and sexually paranoid times. But the objections can be overcome in most "reasonable" schools. The would-be organizer of a campus clothing-optional club or event needs to take on the burden of educating himself/herself about the issues and including appropriate safeguards in the plans. It shouldn't be a big deal, as long as the problems are understood. Given this understanding, it should be possible to convince the necessary people that social nudity is not a hazardous activity and is as deserving of support as any other activity. It's just necessary to be willing to stand up for something you believe in, even though it is widely misunderstood to have much less merit than it really does. If you can get by that problem, a campus environment is actually a great one for clothing-optional activities: It's easy to get the word out to people who may be interested, plenty of meeting and recreational facilities are potentially available, and usually the community is more open-minded and free-thinking than is normally the case in society at large.