BARE NECESSITIES
I spent a week naked to see if it made me healthier like naturist Fred Sirieix – my son thought I’d lost the plot
The pros and cons of naked yoga revealed as Sun writer tries living naked for a week
I’M A Celebrity fans have had an eyeful of buff Fred Sirieix, with the First Dates star frequently stripping off in the jungle.
His partner, known as Fruitcake, this week admitted: “He loves to be a naturist and walk around with hardly any clothes on.”
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And it turns out jungle Fred might be on to a good thing because being naked is scientifically proven to improve your physical and mental health.
But how much can doing mundane tasks such as cooking and cleaning in the nude make you a happier and healthier person?
Sun Sexpert Georgette Culley, 36, spent a week in her birthday suit and wore a Fitbit to see the impact as she carried out everyday tasks.
She says: ‘I’ve always been healthy and my resting heart rate is 65 beats per minute (a normal rate should be between 60 to 100bpm).
“Generally, a lower heart rate at rest means better heart health and fitness.
“However, getting your heart to beat faster while you are exercising is important as it moves oxygen and blood to your muscles more efficiently, which burns more calories and helps lower cholesterol.
“I work out four times a week and enjoy a balanced diet. So I was interested to see how my health might improve when I carried out everyday tasks without clothing. Can it really make a difference?”
Here, reveals what she discovered over her six days in the buff . . .
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DAY 1
MY alarm goes off at 6am so I get out of bed and take off my pyjamas, knowing it’s the last time I’ll have clothes on for a few days.
I live with my two kids, Jude, four, and Eva, 18 months.
Jude thought I’d lost the plot when I opened up the blinds naked.
As I live in a semi-detached house which is a bit overlooked, I was a worried that a neighbour may see me — the local vicar lives next door and I didn’t want to give him a fright.
I plonk the kids in front of CBeebies in the living room and eat my breakfast by myself in the kitchen.
The vitamin D from the morning sun feels good — and there’s scientific research that backs that up.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, sunlight on our skin improves bone health, strengthens our immune system and may even help fight cancer.
My heart rate drops to 55bpm — ten beats lower than normal — a great sign it’s working.
But then a neighbour spots me from outside and I nearly have a heart attack.
I look at my Fitbit and my heart rate has shot up to 120bpm.
I draw the blinds and wash up.
Thankfully, with my newfound privacy, my heart rate goes down to a respectable 60bpm again.
DAY 2
URGH, it’s bin day, the worst day of the week.
I’m going to have to brace the cold to get this done and I’m praying there’s no prying neighbours around.
I quickly make a dash for it.
My heart is racing as I run outside completely starkers.
Not only is it freezing but the fear of getting caught sends my heart rate into overdrive and it goes up to 130bpm — the rate it normally is when jogging.
Cold temperatures can cause your heart rate to increase because your heart needs to work harder to keep you warm.
But I think this is more the adrenaline rush from the fear of being caught.
Later, I pop to Tesco to do my weekly food shop.
I pop on a long coat so I don’t get arrested for indecent exposure and make my way around the aisles.
I do get a few funny looks still.
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It’s pretty chilly and my heart rate is 140bpm, which is 40bpm higher than when I do the same activity in clothes.
It means I’m burning more calories than normal.
DAY 3
IT’S my third night sleeping au naturel and I have to admit I’ve slept really well since I ditched my PJs.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a drop in body temperature can help you to fall asleep more easily, so disrobing could be the answer.
Ultimate movie sex symbol Marilyn Monroe famously slept nude.
The actress once revealed she wore “a few drops of Chanel No 5” and nothing else.
I channel my inner Marilyn.
In the morning, I look and feel refreshed and my resting heart rate is 55bpm.
DAY 4
I’M halfway through my experiment and I’ve not done any exercise yet.
Sadly, I can’t rock up to the gym in my birthday suit so I opt for a bit of yoga at home instead.
I feel very exposed doing the downward dog starkers, but being nude means you can properly connect with your body.
After a few minutes my heart rate is 155bpm rather than the usual 140bpm — a good sign that I’m working out harder than normal.
DAY 5
I AM working remotely, so my big worry is accidentally joining a Zoom call with my camera on.
I definitely feel more alert working in the buff, but when I have to take a work call — with the camera off — my heart rate still spikes to 120bpm.
DAY 6
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IT’S Friday night and I’m not in the mood to cook so I shove a frozen pizza in the oven.
TV presenter Amanda Holden revealed she loves cooking in the buff so perhaps that’s the secret behind her age-defying looks.
Although, I’m sure she doesn’t get her figure from munching on a Tesco’s Finest pizza.
I accidentally burn my tummy taking the food out of the oven.
My heart rate has shot up to 110bpm so I reach for my trusty apron.
Fortunately, my heart rate comes back down when I chill out in front of the telly with a glass of vino.
There’s something strangely liberating about watching Pointless in the buff.
How did I feel at the end?
MY skin is glowing and I feel less stressed.
My resting heart rate was lower than when I carried out the same activities in clothes, although this may change when I see my gas bill!
And when doing exercise it was even higher than normal, which is good.
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I felt sexier, too.
What’s more, you look better naked, research shows, as when your body temperature drops, a growth hormone is released which helps regenerate you, making you look fresher.
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