DHAKA: The moment you enter home your fist thought is to get rid of your clothes and head to the shower. The thought of being naked with no layers of clothing on, relieves you, especially in the summer.

Guess what? Stripping down to your birthday suit is actually helpful and full of health benefits. If being naked is a problem, then hop into minimalistic or loose clothing. Here`s why!

1: Loads you up with vitamin D: We always slather ourselves with sunscreen, fearing damage the sun will do to our skin. Sun can cause damage only if you stay under it for a long time, says Dr Satish Bhatia, Dermatologist, Mumbai. Soak yourself in the early morning rays for about 10-15 minutes. This session will help in boosting the production of vitamin D and will also help boost your mood.

2: Gives a healthy skin: Our skin needs air to breathe. Covering yourself in tight clothing can weaken your skin, because your skin reabsorbs the toxins, which come out when you sweat, says Dr Satish. Being naked will help your skin to respire, by eliminating the toxins from your body.

3: No `Red` marks: Being free from your clothing will help you prevent those red pressure marks left by your too tight bra or panty elastic band. Also, shedding your clothes for a while will help improve blood circulation throughout the body.

4: Healthy brain: According to a study - barefoot running helps to lower the risk of Alzheimer`s in adults. Barefoot walking or running helps in vital stimulation of our brain. Dr Sunesara, General Physician, Mumbai says, the stimulation, which is created in the sole of the foot encourages our brain to boost more neuron connections. Besides, it also helps to increase brain flexibility.

5: Relaxes you: Nakedness is a sort of therapeutic massage for depression, low-self esteem and other mental problems. Lying naked helps to improve your blood flow, detoxifies your system, and thus provides you warmth and freedom.

6: Lowers risk of infection: When clothes are soaked with sweat, they can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause various infections. Nudity lowers your risk to these harmful fungi and bacteria and maintains personal hygiene.

7: Improves fertility: Wearing tight elastic underwear can restrict the blood flow to the penis and genital area. Tight underwear or low waist jeans directly press onto your penis, which further slowly kills nerve receptors in the surrounding area and lowers sperm count.

Source: ToI

BDST: 1949 HRS, NOV 27, 2013