Re-wild yourself Part II: Hike in the woods naked

The Hyacinths are popping up, along with the tulips, and daffodils and crocuses have already presented themselves with their delicate petals. On a day like today where it's a overcast, 70 degrees in Kentucky in late February, I find that it's the right time to rake up some brush around the flower
bed so I can mulch soon.
But also on days like this, I go into the woods to my sacred spot that I have dedicated to meditating and sunbathing. Here in the woods I re-wild myself when I take off my shirt, pants, briefs, and boots. My bum is bare to the smooth cold rock shaped perfectly like a bench. The tree above me has its roots wrapped around the rock where my feet are dangling and I'm rubbing my soles on the smooth bark of the Elm. A Hawk calls above me and circles the hillside. Other birds make cute little playful sounds like they're saying yes to the coming Spring. And I spread my body like the flowers emerging from the soil, stretch like the tree, arms out like the hawk, and the fungus growing.

In my previous post on Re-wilding yourself talked about eating wild edibles and some common wild edibles in the woods near you. So I wanted to share with you another way I re-wild myself often throughout the year. Because there is something pleasurably freeing being naked in the woods, I also suppose this experience makes me feel hat like I am reverting back to my animal. I feel that this practice is like therapy in that way.

 I must say that it is a privilege to have access to woods, forest, trees, grass because in urban areas, it's an industrial waste site. And I'm even more privileged because I have woods behind my house. But, try this practice of hiking naked in the woods if you have woods near you, and document your feelings and reactions. There are many things you can add to your meditation practice like standing erect with your back against a tree and holding the base of the tree like you're giving a reverse hug and imagine and exchange of energy being transferred between you and the tree. I tried this today as well and I found it very comforting and healing. So experiment with those holistic practices as well as see if they work for you. Many people require some form of rejuvenating or healing period in their life--and some people call it a vacation--but I tend to create my own retreat when I go into the woods.

BENEFITS OF NUDITY & SUN BATHING NUDE

mrwallpaper.com

Original post by Laura Shults from Gentle World, For the Vegan in Everyone, @ The Benefits of Responsible Sunbathing


1. The Sun Helps Clear Up Psoriasis: Those suffering from psoriasis are treated by dermatologists by having the patient sit under a fluorescent light, simulating the rays of the sun. Going nude does the exact same thing. It's free when sunlight is possible, it's natural, and a relaxing experience.
2. Sleeping Nude: Sleeping nude allows the air to travel freely over your entire body. Your body is therefore better able to distribute heat. As a result, you'll be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter (under blankets, of course).
3. Nudism Helps Prevent Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is carried by a little bug called the deer-tick. Deer-ticks bite when they lodge themselves between your clothing and your skin. You can brush them off more easily before they find a place to bite if you are nude.
4. Skinny dipping can help reduce rash from sea lice: Sea lice, or jellyfish larvae stings cause a painful, itchy rash. The sea lice sting when they get trapped between your suit and skin. The obvious conclusion is to reduce your swimwear to reduce the chances of getting stung.
5. Fertility May Be Improved By Nudism: Going nude allows the male genitals to adapt better to changes in temperature. Clothing inhibits the natural mechanism of the body, especially if that clothing is tight and restrictive. This, in turn, may result in reduced fertility.
6. Alleviate Depression through increase of serotonin and endorphins from sun exposure. When your brain produces serotonin and endorphins your mood can be very helpful in alleviating depression.
7. Reduce Insomnia: Sunbathing can reduce insomnia. Your brain has an internal clock which is set when you are in the sun, as well as causing melatonin production, both of which help with sleep cycle.
8. Clear Your Skin/Even out skin tone: Skin irritations such as acne, rashes, eczema, and athlete’s foot can be cured by sun exposure. Not only does getting some sun clear your skin, it can also give you a healthy glow.
9. Balance Hormones: The sun can help regulate the production of hormones. Lying in the sun can often help decrease symptoms of PMS or menopause. Being in the sun also stimulates the pineal gland of the brain, regulating its secretions, which may allow for more creativity, insight, and mindfulness, as well as helping to improve your mood.
10. Break Down Toxins: Sunbathing can help your liver function, and assist in breaking down wastes and toxins in your body which may cause disease or cancer.
11. Increase Circulation: Exposure to the sun increases both white and red blood cell count and helps the blood circulate more efficiently.
12. Get your Vitamin D: And last but not least is the most well known benefit of sunshine: Vitamin D. Exposure of the skin to the sun’s rays is the best way to attain this essential nutrient. Vitamin D helps the body regulate the immune system, increase calcium absorption, which leads to strong bones, and avoid kidney stones, diabetes, and even obesity. D3 is also thought to improve cognitive functions and decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
In 1903, just over one hundred years ago, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Niels Finsen, a Danish doctor who discovered that the sun's rays could cure tuberculosis, rickets and wounds.