Do you feel uncomfortable when the idea of being naked comes to mind? You’re not alone. Our society has set its expectations for us, and it can be hard to break away from them. But what if we told you there were some amazing benefits to that bare-skin feeling - even if it's just in your own home?

By Kay Nauta

Autumn. Fall. End of summer. This is the time of year that many of us can find a little depressing. Vacations have been taken, the children are back in school, and the freedom of summer has ended. In most areas of the country, the weather is turning cold. The changing leaves have been giving us a beautiful show, but their colors are now fading as they drift away in the wind.

The history of naturism is a very interesting and colorful story. Take the fun quiz below to see how many facts you can “uncover” about the culture of “baring it all.” The answers are at the end of the quiz.

If you have ever had a conversation with a nudist, visited the American Association for Nude Recreation website, or read the AANR newsletters, you are probably remarkably familiar with all the benefits of nudism or naturism. We know that living textile-free can help improve self-esteem and body image and can be very empowering and liberating. Health benefits include our bodies receiving more Vitamin D from the sun and better sleep with the lack of constraining pajamas among many others.

Can you name the event that took place in 2018 that inspired 2505 women to “skinny dip” at Meaghermore Beach, Ireland?  The event was “The Great British Skinny Dip,” one of the first International Skinny Dip Day gatherings and the largest one to take place to date.

 The beautiful days and nights of Summer are upon us! AANR-West clubs and resorts are in their high season and special events are in full swing. Between events, they offer pools to enjoy, hot tubs to soak in, sports to play, nature paths to hike, and many other activities for fun and relaxation.   This is the perfect time to visit your favorite AANR-West clubs or try one out for the first time.