Winter is the season naturists generally hate. How to get and live naked while temperature plunge? For most naturists, naturism rhymes with summer and warm temperatures. However, for a few, like me, there’s no good or bad season for naturism. Every season is necessary for nature and every season can bring something to our naturist and nudist lives. In this post, with the help of my new friend, chatGPT, I’m going to explore what to do in winter to continue benefiting from our naturist and nudist lifestyles, and grabbing every opportunity to live it.
Naturism and nudism, a reminder
Naturism and nudism are lifestyle practices that involve going without clothing in social and recreational settings. Both terms refer to a belief in the importance of non-sexual nudity, and they are often used interchangeably to describe the same thing.
The idea behind naturism and nudism is that being naked is natural and normal, and that it can help to reduce stress and increase self-esteem. Proponents of these lifestyles also believe that they can help to promote body positivity and acceptance, as well as a deeper connection with nature.
In practice, naturism and nudism can take many forms, ranging from people simply sunbathing naked in their own backyards to organized communities and resorts where nudity is the norm. Some naturist and nudist groups focus on outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and camping, while others are centred around indoor activities like yoga, dance, and social events.
Overall, naturism and nudism are about rejecting societal norms and celebrating the human body in its natural state. While these lifestyles may not be for everyone, many naturists and nudists find them to be liberating, empowering, and a source of great joy and happiness, including in cold seasons, as we are going to see.
Winter Challenges for Naturists
Winter is generally the cold season. I say generally because if you are living in a tropical or equatorial country, your winter may be significantly warm and cold is not an issue. However, for many naturists and nudists living in colder climates, winter can be harsh and naturism can be forgotten until temperature go up. Naturists and nudists face several challenges in winter, including:
- Cold Weather: This is the obvious reason, naturists don’t wander outside in their birthday suits. Winter weather can be harsh, especially in regions with low temperatures, snow, and wind. Being naked in such conditions can be uncomfortable and even dangerous.
- Lack of Sunlight: Winter days are shorter and often cloudy, which can make sunbathing difficult. This can be a challenge for those who enjoy outdoor activities and rely on the sun for vitamin D.
- Indoor Options: Indoor options for naturism and nudism are limited, and many naturist and nudist venues are closed during the winter months.
- Stereotypes: The stigma and stereotypes surrounding naturism and nudism can also be a challenge in winter. Some people may not understand or accept the lifestyle and may view naturists and nudists as weird or inappropriate, particularly those seeking to continue their lifestyle despite the cold.
Overall, the winter months can be seen as a challenging time for naturists and nudists. However, ways exist to overcome these difficulties through indoor activities, clothing-optional hot springs, or by travelling to warmer climates. In the following paragraphs, I will cover a few options to continue living and sharing a naturist lifestyle to benefit from social and non-sexual nudity, even when outside temperatures don’t allow to wander around naked.
Benefits to Naturism and Nudism in Winter
We’ve seen in previous posts the numerous benefits to naturism and nudism, including physical and mental health-related ones. The good news is benefits don’t hibernate, they’re still very valid in winter. They require some imagination, sometimes a little bit of courage, and are ready to continue their positive actions in our lives. Of course, we need to adapt our naturist time, particularly outside, but this makes funnier our practice.
Physical Health Benefits
The naturist lifestyle is, for many neo naturists, a way to take more care of their body. Being naked outside and feeling one’s body moving freely are generally invitations to move and exercise more. However, beyond physical activity, exposing our body to air and sun provides immediate health benefits. The same can be experienced in winter, indoor and outdoor when temperature allows it.
Spending time in nature can help improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels, as shown in the scientific study published in 2022, titled Green space and cardiovascular disease: A systematic review with meta-analysis. By keeping your body moving by doing physical activities such as hiking, running or playing sports, you can stay outdoor even when temperatures are low. This will help increase your body temperature and reduce the risk of hypothermia.
The study Immune changes in humans during cold exposure: effects of prior heating and exercise has shown that exposure to cold can help to strengthen the immune system, making it easier to fight off illness and disease. Although it may be hard and even impossible to stay still outside with very low temperatures, moving around and breaking sweat will make your body work optimally to regulate its internal temperature and boost many of its vital functions.
Winter activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking, can help to increase physical activity levels, which can lead to improved fitness and overall health, while supporting cold temperatures. When stopping during a naked hike for instance, look for a sheltered area, such as a grove of trees or a rock formation, to protect yourself from the wind.
When temperature is really too low, indoor sports and activities that can be practised naked will carry the same benefits as outdoor ones. In a nutshell, naturist activities in winter (see below) will help you rip all the benefits known to naturists, even when the weather is not on your side.
Mental Health Benefits
As for physical health benefits, naturism and nudism have proven time and time again that they improve dramatically many mental health disorders and contribute very positively to mental health of their practitioners.
The now famous study by Dr Keon West, Naked and Unashamed: Investigations and Applications of the Effects of Naturist Activities on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction, found that more participation in naturist activities predicted greater life satisfaction. Being naked in nature, indoor, at home, alone or with friends and family, can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels by providing a peaceful and calming environment.
Exposure to natural light and fresh air can help to improve mood, relieve depression and boost energy levels.
Spending time in nature can help to improve focus, creativity and increase productivity levels by giving people the chance to disconnect from technology and other distractions and increase feelings of well-being, happiness, and inner peace.
Social Benefits
Naturism is a social lifestyle. Shared nudity brings another set of benefits, particularly necessary in winter when our mood can be low and social opportunities decrease.
Being naked helps to become more aware of our own body, including their posture, breathing, and movements. This increased body awareness can lead to improved physical and emotional well-being.
Spending time naked in nature can help to feel a greater connection with the environment. This connection can lead to increased respect for the natural world and a deeper appreciation for the environment.
Being naked in nature helps to feel more comfortable in our own skin and increase self-acceptance and self-love. This can lead to improved confidence and a positive self-image.
Participating in naturist activities allows us to connect with like-minded individuals and form a sense of community. This community can provide support, friendship, and a sense of belonging. Naturists understand nudity in a way textiles generally don’t. Being naked with other naturists is normal and expected. Anxiety of being naked and seen naked disappears totally. It’s a fantastic way to deepen our naturist practice.
Winter Naturism, the Hows
Convinced that naturism can be an all-season lifestyle? Ready to drop your clothes and enjoy spending the winter in the buff? Here are a few tips and tricks to add to your daily, weekly and monthly lives to enjoy a cold naked winter.
Resisting the Cold
Because of low temperatures that constrict blood vessels, low air humidity and indoor heating, our skin suffers in winter. Here are a few tips to prepare the skin for exposure to harsh winter elements:
- Moisturise regularly: Use an organic, heavy, oil-based moisturiser to create a barrier between your skin and the cold air, like this Organic Blend of Olive, Lavender, Almond, Vitamin E and Grapeseed Oils, Day and Night Moisturizer.
- Use a gentle cleanser: Avoid using harsh soaps that can strip your skin of its natural oils. This Tea Tree Oil Foaming Gentle Cleanser is an example of such a product.
- When outside naked, protect your face and hands: Wear a wool scarf or hat to protect your face from the cold, as well as a pair of gloves. The sensation of cold comes from the extremities.
- Avoid hot showers: Hot showers can dry out your skin, so opt for lukewarm water instead.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends eight glasses of water per day. However, this will depend from individual to individual; hence, it’s always a good idea to listen to your body and drink water when you feel thirsty, and to speak with a doctor or registered dietitian if you have concerns about your fluid intake.
- Use a humidifier: Dry indoor air can make skin dry and itchy, so consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Now comes the activities part. What can you do naked in winter? First and foremost, you will find many, many ideas in my book 101 Ideas to Increase Nude Time and Nudist Friends. When I’m short of ideas, I always grab it from its shelf and flipping through it, I find the right activity. Here are a few indoor and outdoor ones that you can try.
Naturist Indoor Winter Activities
Naturism is an indoor lifestyle too. I’m indoor sitting on my sofa, in my heated lounge, almost entirely naked. If you wonder why “almost”, I recommend you read my post 8 Tips to Keep a Nudist Lifestyle while Temperatures Decrease. It will provide the few items that you need indoor to stay comfortably naked. Here are a few naturist indoor activities, beyond writing, you can do in winter:
- Yoga: Practising yoga naked allows for a greater sense of connection with the body and nature.
- Dance: Indoor dance classes or events can be a great way to get moving and connect with others in a clothing-optional environment.
- Social events: Naturist clubs and organisations often host indoor social events like game nights, potlucks, and holiday parties.
- Swimming: Some swimming pools offer ranges of time for naturist sessions, when swimsuits are optional. A great activity to stay healthy in winter.
- Spa and Wellness: Clothing-optional spas and wellness centres offer a range of activities, such as saunas, hot tubs, and massages, in a nudity-friendly environment.
- Art and crafts: Indoor art and craft workshops can be fun and creative ways to spend time with others in a nudity-friendly setting.
- Movie Nights: Watch a movie with friends or other naturists in a cozy, nudity-friendly environment.
- Game Nights: Enjoy a night of games like cards, board games, or video games in a nudity-friendly setting.
Naturist Outdoor Winter Activities
However, even in winter, naturism and nudism don’t have to stay indoor. There are days you can be naked outside providing the temperature is not too cold, the wind not too chilly and you keep active. Few people hike and even ski naked on sunny days, Here are a few naturist outdoor activities you can think trying.
- Snow Sports: Some naturist clubs often offer winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in a clothing-optional environment, on sunny days. Of course, you need to be extra careful and get ready to get clothed should the temperature drop.
- Winter Hiking: Some naturist hiking groups organize winter hikes (snowshoeing or not), providing an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature in a nudity-friendly environment. Always hike with a backpack containing warm clothes if the weather were to suddenly change.
- Hot Springs: Clothing-optional hot springs provide a warm and relaxing environment for naturists to enjoy during the colder months.
Of course, it’s also possible to travel to warmer latitudes to enjoy a nudist resort or beaches.
Staying Safe and Healthy During Winter Naturism
Our bodies adapt to cold season. Although we are not hibernating, some of our body functions change slightly, like hormonal, metabolic or circulatory changes. Here are some tips to stay healthy during the winter and keep a strong immune system:
- Eat a balanced diet: Include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. This will help boost your immune system and provide you with the energy and nutrients you need to stay healthy. Prefer locally produced fruits and vegetables. There are winter fruits and vegetables, dont eat cherries and strawberries imported from the other side of the planet!
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, as well as hot liquids like tea and soup. This will help keep you hydrated and prevent winter dryness Prefer water to any other drinks, particularly sugary drinks, that are silent killers and bring no nutrients.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity is important for overall health and can help boost your immune system. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, including outdoor exercise if you can to get a dose of vitamin C.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. A lack of sleep can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness.
- Wash your hands frequently: Washing your hands regularly is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and illness.
- Avoid close contact with sick people: If someone in your household is sick, try to avoid close contact with them to prevent getting sick yourself, and wear a mask to protect yourself.
- Take care of your mental health: Winter can be a difficult time for some people, with shorter days and less sunlight leading to feelings of sadness or depression. Engage in activities you enjoy, connect with friends and family, and seek help if you’re struggling. You can share some of the indoor nudist activities proposed above
By following these tips, you can help keep yourself healthy and happy during the winter months, while living a fun and dynamic nudist life.
Conclusion
As often shared on this blog, nudism and naturism are not lifestyles that starts in Spring and ends in Autumn. They are all-season lifestyles. Of course, cold temperatures requires adaptation and preparation. However, by prioritising nudity and following the advice provided before, you can live a nudist life all year long.
A last important point about nudism and naturism: they are social lifestyles and as such, sharing is caring. We tend to think that we can talk about naturism and invite friends and family to experience naturism only in summer. But, since naturism is an all-season lifestyle, sharing should not stop in winter. Here are a few ways to encourage people to try naturism and nudism in winter:
- Emphasise the Health Benefits: Nudism and naturism have many physical and mental health benefits, such as increased exposure to sunlight, improved body image, and reduced stress levels. They are still relevant in winter.
- Highlight Indoor Activities: There are many indoor activities that naturists and nudists can participate in during winter, such as yoga, dance, and social events. By focusing on these activities, people see that there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lifestyle even in cold weather.
- Share Personal Experiences: Encourage people to talk to others who have tried nudism and naturism in winter. Hearing personal experiences and how people have overcome any challenges can be a great motivator.
- Offer Support and Resources: Provide people with resources, like this blog and my books, and support to help them try naturism and nudism in winter. This can include information about indoor venues, clothing-optional hot springs, and naturist travel destinations.
- Educate about the lifestyle: Educate people about the principles and benefits of nudism and naturism. Awareness and education are key to dispel the myths and misconception about nudism and naturism.
For those who embrace the naturist lifestyle, winter can be a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and connection with others who share similar beliefs. Whether participating in indoor activities or enjoying the natural beauty of winter, the naturist lifestyle can offer a unique and fulfilling way of life, even in the colder months.
What is your experience with nudism in winter? Do you have tips and tricks that allow you to enjoy nudism even the cold seasons? Share your comments and ideas in the text box below. I wish you all a great naked winter!
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All good ideas Marco, some of which can be put into practice especially those who live in big cities (so not me).
I’ve been back to dressing since around November and even though I don’t love clothes anymore since 2017, I don’t mind having them on during the winter. The need to undress is there, but the cold keeps it at bay, and I can satisfy it by sleeping naked at night. I don’t think I’m any less naturist just because I dress for winter and then living in a small town, so many options are impossible (like naked yoga or nudity in the pool). Not to mention that by staying dressed I can maintain a lower temperature in the house and therefore save money. However, despite February, temperatures here are rising a lot (especially during the day). Global warming ?.
Great post Marc and something I can relate to living in Canada’s East Coast of Nova Scotia.
Although not the coldest winters we have had, I really don’t have options for naturism outdoors.
Our skinny dipping club would rent a pool during the winter months unfortunately, they were unable to get a lifeguard willing to supervise.
I remain unclothed indoors and definitely look forward to summer spent at the nude beach or one of our many secluded lakes.
Fabien
Does the shock of suddenly going into very cold water have a health risk? I did this a number of times in younger years, and was surprised how tolerable a cold pond was. But now I am in my healthy 60s would it be foolish to go on one of those swims, with or without swim trunks
Hello Andy, I’m not a health practitioner so cannot provide medical advice. I believe some medical conditions may create risks of thermal shock, so you should consult a MD for guidance.
I’ m from North Western section of Virginia. I can find at least two days a month all winter to work outdoors. If work is active and somewhat taxing, temperature can be as low as 40’s as long as there is no wind or only a wisp of wind and the sun is out. My body adjusts to the cold this way and I stay more comfortable in cold weather when clothing is required. Staying active, keeping the house cooler, generally mid 50’s to mid 60’s I’m.doing my part to not pollute our world, save on energy, save money and still stay comfortable. Conversely, in the summer AC is rarely used, only to prevent mildew because of high humidity. It almost goes without saying, in the summer, going naked is clearly the middle st efficient way to reduce ones carbon footprint.
I’m very interested in nature, preserving our natural habitat, enjoy wildlife and try to preserve wildlife habitat. The natural vitamin D is very healthy and skin breathing naturally is most beneficial. Freedom of movement is truly freedom indeed.
To first make the the shift from a body acclimated to hot weather to that of colder weather, I swim laps naked all fall and sometimes up until the first of November. Trick to this is don’t stop using your pool or pond as the weather cools the water down. Dive or plunge in the pool and briskly swim laps. You accelerate the body to shift from blood flow at the exterior of the body to reject heat to that of increased blood flow to the bodies core and the hands and feet.
My favorite working naked in winter is cutting, splitting and stacking firewood. So is repairing fencing and fence row clearing. I work indoors on projects for myself and others that are not uncomfortable with the natural look of the human body.
Dave
Thank you Dave for sharing your experience. I totally second what you say. Our body has enormous resources to adapt to the cold. It’s an incredible machine that has evolved to be clothe-free.