top of page

JOURNAL

Search

The Bottom Line: Why Bum Towels Matter in clothing-optional Culture


Societat Naturista Instagram post meme
Societat Naturista Instagram post meme

Wednesday 21st May | Societat Naturista


Let’s talk about the true MVP of naturism. Not freedom. Not sunshine. Not even body confidence.


We’re talking about the bum towel.


Yes, that humble square of fabric you slide under your cheeks at the beach, at a café, during yoga, or while chatting at a picnic. It might sound quirky to the uninitiated — but for those of us living the clothing-optional life, the bum towel isn’t just etiquette.


It’s about respect — for shared spaces, for our bodies, for each other. And in clothing-optional lifestyles, respect is everything.


What Is a Bum Towel — and Why Should You Care?

A bum towel (a.k.a. sit cloth, hygiene towel, naturist napkin — pick your flavour) is simply what we sit on when we’re nude in shared spaces.


It’s about being considerate.


Picture this: you’re bare-skinned in a naturist café, about to sit on a communal chair. Now picture the person before you did the same — no towel. No barrier. No thanks.


Bum towels are the invisible handshake of naturist culture. They say, “I see you. I respect this space. I’m part of this community, and I respect your right to be here too.”


The Sit Cloth: A Cultural Signal, Not Just a Habit

Every culture has its subtle social codes. In naturism, the bum towel is one of the loudest — without saying a word.


Naturism isn’t just about naked bodies. It’s about shared values: openness, freedom, equality — and also cleanliness, care, and mindfulness.


From German FKK beaches to French naturist resorts and saunas, the bum towel is standard kit.


Why?


Because when you ditch clothes, you add intentionality. The towel is that intentionality.


Let’s Talk Hygiene (and Let’s Keep It Sexy)

Whether you are a naturist, a nudist or a something else/label-less — hygiene matters.


Between sunscreen, saltwater, sweat, and body oils, surfaces get grimy fast. Multiply that by a crowd, and the case for bum towels is crystal clear.


In today’s world, everyone’s rethinking hygiene. Naturists and nudists, we’ve been ahead of the curve. Bum towels aren’t about fear — they’re about care.


Societat Naturista’s Take: Towels That Carry Culture

At Societat Naturista, we’re not just posting blog articles and nudging people in forums.


We’re acting.


We’ve launched our own line of Societat Naturista bum towels — designed to look great, feel great, and represent naturist values with pride.


Our towels are:

  • 🏖️ Compact, lightweight & quick-drying — perfect for beach dips and spontaneous adventures

  • 🎨 Designed to be beautiful, humorous and — a visual reflection of naturism

  • 💬 A conversation starter — not just a place to sit



Bum here - customisable bum towel
Bum here - customisable bum towel

How Naturism Supports Mental Health - Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 💚🧠 😌




Wednesday 14th May | Societat Naturista


🌿 What Is Mental Health Awareness Week?

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event, taking place from 12 to 18 May 2025, dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and promoting mental well-being for all. 


Organised by the Mental Health Foundation, the week provides an opportunity to reflect on mental health, spark conversations, and support those experiencing mental health challenges.


👉 Check out it out further here: Mental Health UK


Each year, a specific theme is chosen to focus attention on aspects of mental health. In 2025, the theme is 'Community', highlighting the vital role that connections and support networks play in our mental well-being. Being part of a supportive community can provide a sense of belonging, reduce feelings of isolation, and offer practical and emotional assistance during difficult times. 


And that brings us to naturism.


We often talk about naturism in individual terms so during Mental Health Awareness Week— but let´s focus in the positive mental health benefits, such as, reducing anxiety and and the strong connections it builds i.e., community.


"I used to suffer from crippling depression. Naturism helped me feel like I belonged, like I wasn’t broken. It genuinely saved my life."


— Anonymous BN member, British Naturism submission to Parliament

📖 Source: [UK Parliament Written Evidence - British Naturism (2020)]



"Spending time naked in a social setting improves body image, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing."


— Dr. Keon West, Goldsmiths, University of London


📖 Source: Study funded by British Naturism (2017)


Let’s Talk Benefits of Naturism


Improved Body Image and Self-Esteem

Naturism helps break down the hyper-critical, social media perpetuated lens of ideal body types that we often attribute to others and then use to criticise ourselves.


In naturist settings/organisations/events, you will see normal bodies— aged, bald, tattooed and scarred. Not filtered, posed, or marketed to sell you gym courses or the newest fashion item. This can have a profound effect on everyone's body image.


Reduced Anxiety and Stress

Clothing can restrict movement, airflow, and even skin temperature regulation. Combine that with the calming effects of nature, and naturism becomes a full-body nervous system regulator.


Which in turn helps with:

  • Lowering blood pressure

  • Decreasing cortisol

  • Calming breathing and heart rate

  • Lowering body temperature

  • Getting more vitamin D


“Taking some quiet time to reflect in natural surroundings using all your senses can be a real boost to your mental health. Whether you’re relaxing in the garden or on your way to work, try listening out for birdsong, look for bees and butterflies, or notice the movement of the clouds. All of these good things in nature can help you to find a sense of calm and joy.”  — MentalHealth.org.uk



More Serotonin and Dopamine = Better Mood

We need exposure to daylight and nature for healthy neurotransmitter function. Naturism ensures full-body light exposure, especially in morning hours, which supports:

  • Better serotonin production (for mood stability)

  • Boosted dopamine (motivation and reward)

  • Reduced risk of SAD and low mood



You Actually Feel Less Alone

Loneliness and isolation are major mental health risks. Naturism offers a surprisingly fast remedy: people. From our own experiences it has provided:

  • Authentic connections and conversations with people we may have never met, due to age, location and interests

  • Less performative socialising; more engagement and emotion

  • More emotional safety


"Our survey results show that naturism helps people feel more confident, less anxious in social settings, and significantly happier overall.” — British Naturism "Does Naturism Help Your Mental Health?"



Mindfulness Without Trying So Hard

You don’t need an app to feel present. You just need to be unclothed and outdoors. “Naturists consistently describe increased bodily awareness, present-moment focus, and emotional grounding as key outcomes of naturist practice.” — GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, "Exposing perceptions and beliefs towards naturism: A qualitative exploration of personal narratives"




Better Sleep (Yes, Really)

Naturist practice supports circadian rhythm by exposing your skin and eyes to natural light and reducing sensory overstimulation in the evenings. As well as, lowering body temperature for sounder sleep.



So all in all, Naturism can help. If nothing else but body postivity, stress, calmness and community.



🧠 Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Celebrating Community

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on a powerful theme: Community—something naturism understands better than most.


At the core of it, naturism is about belonging. In naturist spaces, people connect without pretense—no labels, no filters, no expectations. Just people, as they are. And that creates a kind of community that’s deeply supportive and profoundly good for our mental health.


Many who practise naturism speak openly about the positive impact it’s had on their self-esteem, body image, and sense of connection and community.


Explore Further:

Social Nudity: Why You Should Try It (...At Least Once) 🌞🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️



Sunday 4th May 2025 | Societat Naturista


There’s a moment — just before you undress in front of others for the first time — where time seems to slow. Your thoughts race:


What if they stare? What if I laugh? What if I freeze?


But then something clicks. Someone beside you smiles — maybe a partner, a friend, a family member — and for the first time in a while, your shoulders drop. You breathe.


No one is here to judge. You’re not a spectacle. You’re just… there. Like everyone else.


Welcome to social nudity — the refreshingly ordinary, unexpectedly joyful practice of being clothes-free with other people. Not for shock value. Not for performance. Just because it feels good to let go — of clothes, of pressure, of pretending.


If you’ve ever been curious, but nervous, this post is for you.



1. Because your body doesn’t need to be edited

We’ve grown up with filters, Facetune, angles, and instagram algorithms.


From the time we were teens, we were told to control how we looked. Zoom in. Crop out. Hide the mess.


And suddenly, here you are — on a beach, in a garden, at a campfire — without a stitch on. There’s nowhere to hide, but for once, you don’t need to.


Everyone looks different. Everyone looks normal. And slowly, something shifts in your brain: maybe I look fine too.


No gym body? Cool.

Stretch marks? Everyone has them.

Belly? Chest hair? Cellulite? Awkward tan lines? No one cares.


Really.


Social nudity isn’t a beauty contest. It’s an escape from one.


2. Because awkward doesn’t last long

Here’s the thing no one tells you: the weird bit only lasts about 90 seconds. Maybe less.


It’s like jumping into cold water — intense for a moment, then… fine. Better than fine. Freeing.


You’ll laugh, probably. Someone else will too. And then you’ll get used to it — just like they did.

And if you’re doing it with a friend or partner? That shared “are we really doing this?” moment might become your favourite memory of the year.


And here’s something even more reassuring: no one is going to leer, comment, or make you feel uncomfortable. In fact, that kind of behaviour is totally against the code — and in most social nudity

settings, it’s simply not tolerated.


People are there for the vibe, not for voyeurism.


3. Because we crave real connection

Let’s be honest: we’re lonely. We’re over-scrolling. We’re craving spaces that feel human — not branded, not curated, not transactional.


You’d be surprised how open people are when there’s nothing to hide behind.


Clothes off = masks off.


You might talk more. Laugh louder. Share something you didn’t expect to. Or maybe just sit in silence, in the sun, with someone you care about — and realise that’s enough.


Shared experiences like this can feel surprisingly intimate — not sexual, not performative — just connected.


4. Because it’s genuinely good for your health

Beyond the feel-good factor, social nudity has real, science-backed benefits. Spending time naked outdoors can boost vitamin D levels, improve sleep, and even reduce cortisol — your body’s main stress hormone.


Many people report feeling calmer, more relaxed, and more in tune with their bodies after trying social nudity. And while the mental health benefits can’t be overstated, it’s also the physical freedom — skin breathing, movement unrestricted — that can be quietly transformative.


You sleep better. You worry less. You feel more like… you.


5. Because social nudity isn’t a cult, it’s a vibe

You don’t have to join anything. You don’t have to change your identity. You don’t have to be “all in.”


You can try it once. Just for an hour. At a beach. At a hot spring. At a clothing-optional picnic.


You can keep your hoodie nearby. You can go slow. No one is going to shout at you for being unsure.


In fact, most people in social nudity spaces remember their first time vividly. And they’ll likely be the first to offer you a smile, a seat, or a reminder that you’re doing just fine.


6. Because it might give you more than you expected

You might sleep better that night. You might look in the mirror the next day with a little less criticism. You might walk differently. Talk differently. Feel lighter.


You might feel like yourself for the first time in a long time.


And if you do it with a friend or someone you love, you’ll probably be talking about it for weeks — the freedom, the surprise, the fact that it wasn’t weird at all.


You’ll wish you’d tried it sooner.


So why try it?

Because if you’ve ever thought about it, that’s reason enough.


You don’t need to be confident. You don’t need a reason. You just need curiosity — and maybe someone to try it with.


And if you hate it? You put your shorts back on and laugh about it over lunch. But if you don’t hate it… well, you’ve just unlocked a kind of freedom most people never get to feel.


This isn’t about becoming someone new — it’s about remembering who you are, without all the layers.


Give it a go. At least once.

Societat Naturista Logo

© 2025 Societat Naturista. 

bottom of page