Recently, I visited three different naturist resorts within easy reach of London. Each one had its own character and atmosphere, and I enjoyed something different about each of them. But having experienced all three, I started to notice how many simple benefits they had in common.

For me, one of the nicest things was simply being outside and feeling the elements directly on my skin. Walking through nature without clothes, sitting in the sunshine, swimming naked and feeling the breeze across my body felt incredibly natural and relaxing. And, of course, there is the little bonus of having no tan lines! I enjoyed the feeling of getting an even, natural tan, while also getting some sensible sun exposure and vitamin D.

What I particularly liked was how non-sexual the whole experience was. Before visiting, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I quickly realised that people were simply there to enjoy themselves. You see all sorts of bodies, ages and personalities, and nobody seems particularly concerned about how they look. For me, there was something quite liberating about that. I felt less self-conscious and more comfortable in my own body.

I also enjoyed the freedom from fashion. No deciding what to wear, no worrying about whether you look good in something, and no need to dress up for the day. I could simply get up, walk around, swim, have a picnic, read a book, chat with people or sit at the bar and enjoy a glass of wine. Everything felt very relaxed.

There was also something quite sensual about the experience, although not in a sexual sense. I became much more aware of simple physical sensations — the warmth of the sun, the water when swimming, the breeze on my skin and the feeling of walking barefoot through nature. This is something I can relate to from my experience with Tantra and tantric massage: becoming more present in the body, slowing down and paying attention to what we actually feel rather than constantly being in our heads.

I was also fascinated to discover that naturism is not necessarily just something people do for a day or a weekend. At two of the three resorts I visited, there are bungalows where some people actually live permanently. I found that quite interesting — for some people, naturism isn't simply a holiday or occasional escape, but a genuine lifestyle and a community they choose to be part of.

Of course, you don't have to take it that far. You can visit for the day, stay overnight, camp or spend several days there. I found the resorts to be a good value for money too, especially compared with many conventional wellness or spa experiences.

After visiting these three places, I can understand why people enjoy naturism so much. For me, it isn't really about simply being naked. It's about feeling free, spending time in nature, being around people who are generally accepting and non-judgemental, and be comfortable in your own skin.

Perhaps that is the part I enjoyed most: nothing to hide; simply being present in the body.

With warm wishes

Joy xx