You might think being naked surrounded by a group of total strangers would make you more self-conscious about your body.

But it seems the opposite is true.

Taken part in nudist activities makes people much more satisfied with their bodies, and even their lives, new research suggests.

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Taken part in nudist activities makes people much more satisfied with their bodies, and even their lives, new research suggests. Stock image

BEING NAKED: THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS Several claims have been made about the possible psychological benefits of naturist activities, but very little empirical research had investigated these benefits or any plausible explanations for them. Dr Keon West and colleagues asked 850 Brits to fill in an online survey, and found those who spend time naked were happier with their bodies. The longer they had been practicing naturism and the more frequently they did it, the happier they were, the researchers said. Advertisement

A group of researchers from Goldsmiths, University of London looked into the links between naturist activities and how satisfied the participants' felt with their bodies and their lives in general.

The study, published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, came to the conclusion that taking off your clothes around strangers is probably good for you.

'Body image dissatisfaction is a serious, global problem that negatively affects life satisfaction,' the authors wrote in the study.

'Several claims have been made about the possible psychological benefits of naturist activities, but very little empirical research has investigated these benefits or any plausible explanations for them.'

Dr Keon West and colleagues asked 850 Brits to fill in an online survey, and found those who spend time naked were happier with their bodies, he explains in a video.

The longer they had been practicing naturism and the more frequently they did it, the happier they were, the researchers said.

But it is possible that people who were happier with their bodies were more likely to spend time naked, and not that being naked makes you happier.

In two more experiments, the researchers went to two naturist events in the UK, to explore the idea further.

At both events, participants were asked about their feelings just before getting naked and at the end of the event before they put their clothes back on.

In both cases participants experienced immediate and significant improvements in body-image, self-esteem and life satisfaction.

Dozens of bystanders lined the streets to photograph the cyclists as they pedalled through central London as part of an annual protest against car culture in June last year

The researchers said the results show nudity can have a positive impact on our mental health.

'The naturists have been saying this for some time,' Dr West said.

'However, despite a lot of positive claims, little to no empirical research has investigated whether naturist activity (rather than attitude or beliefs) actually makes us happier or, just as importantly, why it makes us happier.'

The initial results suggested seeing other people naked could be even more important than being seen naked yourself, the researchers said.

Dr West argues that although more research is needed, the findings show public nudity is beneficial for our well-being.

He said it might be able to offer a solution to the problem of body dissatisfaction in the future.

'At the very least', he said, 'this is worth investigating'.