Cognitive-behavioral treatments for body dysmorphia and eating disorders use exposure therapy: repeated, non-judgmental contact with the feared stimulus (e.g., a mirror, a beach). Naturism provides naturalistic exposure. A mixed-methods study by Downing (2020) surveyed 400 naturists and found that 78% reported significant improvement in body satisfaction after joining a nudist club, with effects stronger for women and older adults. Qualitative responses included:
Naturism has the power to transform the way we perceive and interact with our bodies. By embracing our natural state, we can: purenudism junior miss nudist beauty pageant fixed
The wind off the Atlantic was cold, biting at the parts of my skin that were usually covered by a cotton blend and societal expectation. I stood at the edge of the dunes, clutching my towel like a shield, wondering how a simple act—taking off one’s clothes—could feel so much like jumping out of an airplane. Qualitative responses included: Naturism has the power to
