How to Feel Comfortable in the Nude

Nudity is often seen as something uncomfortable or shameful due to the stigma surrounding it and the impact of cultural norms on how we perceive being naked. However, for many, nudity can actually be quite liberating. The existence of nudist communities and clothing-optional beaches are proof of this, yet to reach a state of comfortable nakedness, one must first develop a certain level of self-comfort.

Develop a Self-Love Routine. Establish a daily practice that helps you feel good about yourself. This can include things like doing your hair, getting a manicure, or wearing clothes that flatter your body.

• These actions aren’t about changing your body, but rather about making you feel better. Anything that encourages self-appreciation is beneficial. Grooming yourself will also prove helpful.
• Wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable will boost your confidence. If what you're wearing doesn't make you feel at ease, it's hard to feel relaxed when you take them off.
• Make your routine a regular habit. To build confidence, repeat your self-love routine at least once a week to carve out a consistent private time for yourself.
• If you want to establish a walking or swimming routine, go for it. Visit any place that makes you feel confident and/or comfortable.

Healthy Eating. Nothing shows self-respect and self-care more than adopting a healthy eating lifestyle. Healthy eating reminds you to provide your body with 'clean fuel' so it can function efficiently and consistently.

• It’s difficult to truly appreciate your body if you're constantly thinking about the extra donuts you’ve eaten or counting the calories you’ve wasted. These thoughts may lead to guilt or shame, which works against the confidence needed to feel comfortable in your own skin.
• Don’t blame yourself for the food choices you make. If you want to indulge, don’t waste time calculating calories or obsessing over it. This is also a form of self-confidence.
• Healthy eating is a reminder to honor your skin. Food will remind you that your body deserves to be nourished and treated kindly.
• If you’ve ever followed a strict diet or healthy eating plan, don’t overdo it. Consider having a light meal once in a while if you feel too stressed about being too healthy. While maintaining a healthy diet is important, there’s something to be said about going 'too healthy.'

Self-Praise. Instead of constantly downplaying yourself, start praising your own qualities. Confidence in being comfortable in your own skin begins with not judging or devaluing your body.

• The practice of self-praise builds a sense of responsibility in stopping negative behaviors, like criticizing yourself. Don’t stand in front of the mirror pointing out everything you dislike.
• Make a list of things you love about yourself. Write them down if necessary. Use these qualities to counteract any negative self-judgments. For example, when you have negative thoughts about yourself, counteract them with your positive traits. So instead of saying, 'I hate my arms,' say 'I have beautiful legs.'

Exercise Your Body. Any form of physical activity, whether it’s running, dancing, or yoga, can help build confidence in your body.

• Pick an activity that you enjoy. Activities such as soccer, walking, karate, swimming, or dancing can help you become more comfortable with physical movement.
• Physical activity will tone and strengthen your body. Whatever activity you choose should serve the dual purpose of fitness and enjoyment.
• Exercise or physical movement will gradually make you feel more confident in your body, which is incredibly helpful when it comes to being comfortable in your own skin. The goal is not weight loss but rather gaining confidence through bodily movement.
• Stay hydrated if you regularly engage in exercise or intense physical activity. Without proper hydration, you’ll feel fatigued throughout the day and may experience shortness of breath, similar to those with asthma.

Indulge Your Body. Treat yourself to a massage or a facial. Pampering yourself is an expression of gratitude toward your body. When you truly appreciate your body, it makes it easier to incorporate other self-care practices like exercise and healthy eating.

• Pampering can be as simple as soaking in a bath instead of showering. Add some sea salt or a few flower petals to the water for extra relaxation.
• Grooming activities like shaving, brushing your hair, or applying lotion to your skin are all acts of self-care and appreciation. These actions help foster a respect for your body, unlike material items such as clothes, shoes, and jewelry.

Being Naked at Home. If you feel comfortable being nude at home, it will be much easier and more enjoyable to be naked around others. Comfort with nudity at home is essential in order to feel free to be naked in the outside world.

• Stand naked in front of a mirror -- not to criticize, but to appreciate. This will also help you become more comfortable seeing yourself naked. If you feel uneasy seeing yourself undressed, you will also feel uncomfortable when others see you that way.
• Move around your home in the nude. Do activities like watering plants, dancing, reading a book, or styling your hair while completely bare. It doesn’t matter what the activity is, as long as you feel comfortable doing it while nude.
• If you don’t feel comfortable being fully naked, try wearing some lingerie. There are many different types of underwear, so find a set that makes you feel confident and sensual.
• Start incorporating nudity into your daily routines, even when you leave the house. For instance, try going without underwear or a bra.

Start Being Naked While Doing Your Regular Tasks. After some time, everyday activities like making phone calls while naked will no longer feel strange to you. Moreover, you will begin to enjoy the subtle mystery of being naked in those moments.

Be Naked While Making a Sandwich. Food and nudity don’t usually go hand-in-hand, but now you can combine the two. Just be cautious while cooking naked. It’s a good idea to wear an apron to protect yourself.

Watch TV in the Nude. Choose your favorite chair or a spot on the couch. Then, strip off your clothes, turn on the TV, and relax while being completely naked.

Walk Around Your House Without Clothes. Close the curtains or blinds to ensure no one can see you from the outside. Most authorities have laws against indecent exposure, so be mindful of your surroundings.

Sleep in the nude. If you usually sleep with clothes on, try something different. Take off your clothes. At first, it may feel awkward, but stick with it. Soon, you’ll enjoy the sensation of being 'bare-naked.'

Visit a spa in Finland, Turkey, or South Korea. Most spas in South Korea have designated nude areas for each gender, meaning you can freely be nude within the assigned space. Men can be naked in the men's section, and similarly, women in the women's area.

• The area typically includes saunas, bathhouses, and grooming spaces, allowing you to slowly get accustomed to being naked around others.
• If you’re still not fully comfortable, you can use a small towel to cover up some parts. There are usually clothes available if you prefer to wear something.
• Consider going with a friend so you can chat if that makes you feel more at ease. Some people enjoy striking up conversations with strangers.
• Find something to do. Take a bath or groom yourself at the spa, and you won’t be as focused on being unclothed.
• Additionally, when at the spa, consider getting a body massage. It will help you relax and feel more at ease!

Be naked in front of someone who supports you. If you have a partner or a supportive friend or family member, consider being naked around them, as long as they’re comfortable with it.

• If you’re comfortable around your partner, it will be easier to relax during intimacy or other sexual activities.
• Being naked in front of a supportive person helps build self-confidence and alleviates the fear of being judged. No one will stare, point, or laugh at you—these are common fears for many people.
• For example, a nude massage is a way to get comfortable being exposed in front of someone. Typically, people will use a towel to cover the areas not being massaged, which gives you a sense of coverage.

Shower naked with a friend or supportive partner. The water will cover parts of your naked body, helping you gradually adjust and feel more comfortable with nudity.

• If you're not quite confident enough to expose your skin, you can wear a small, see-through or nude-colored bikini for more comfort.

Visit a nude beach. Since everyone is naked, you may find it easier to be nude too. At a nude beach, you'll have the chance to walk around in front of strangers, swim, play beach volleyball, or toss a frisbee while fully exposed. Could you do the same in another setting?

Practice naked yoga. Generally, yoga classes are separated by gender and are designed to help you feel at ease being nude, regardless of your body type or size.

Run naked. Some cities have formed nude running groups, like the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, where around 30 nude athletes run through the festival grounds.

Join a nudist group or community. If you really enjoy being naked, you might want to make it a regular practice. You’ll meet a group of supportive people who share your appreciation for the freedom of nudity.

• Don’t make negative comments about the bodies of other people who are nude around you. Keep your thoughts positive.

• Apply plenty of sunscreen on hot, sunny days. If it gets cold, be sure to put on a coat. Stay alert and relaxed at the same time.