Brits embarrassed by their bodies are skipping the beach altogether (Image: Getty)
Body embarrassment is keeping one in seven Brits away from the beach, according to research. The study of 15,000 adults found 82% feel embarrassed or self‑conscious about their bodies, with 17% feeling stressed at the thought of wearing a swimming costume or trunks. Among those who feel insecure about their weight, 26% have been covering up for as long as they can remember.
The issue is most common among younger adults, with 24% of Gen Z giving the beach a miss, and of those, 40% cite embarrassment about their weight as the main reason. But overall, 37% of adults believe there is still a strong stigma around the so‑called ‘ideal’ body type.
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The research was commissioned by Voy which is sponsoring the UK’s oldest and most famous nudist beach, Brighton Naturist Beach, to tackle body stigma and celebrate every ‘beach body’.
As part of the sponsorship, it will provide beach chairs, towels and yoga mats to make the stony shore more comfortable and welcoming for visitors.
As well as a takeover of the city’s eastern beach, the digital healthcare provider has partnered with Naturist UK & Worldwide and Naturist UK & Beyond – a community of nearly 20,000 people.
Dr. Earim Chaudry, chief medical officer at Voy, said: “For many, especially younger people, the beach or a summer holiday is not a place of freedom, but exposure. Instead of relaxation, it can trigger self‑consciousness and anxiety, turning moments that should be joyful into experiences to dread or avoid altogether.
“As summer kicks off and this wave of anxiety sweeps across the UK, we want people to know that you are not alone in this feeling.
“That’s why we are bringing some much‑needed upgrades to the famous Brighton Naturist Beach to make it more welcoming than ever for beachgoers.
“This is a place designed to be stigma‑free, so we are inviting all Brits to change the narrative, shed their insecurities and join the community at the beach.”
The research found Brits’ body image fears span from head to toe – with weight, teeth or smiles the most common insecurities. Body shape, signs of ageing such as wrinkles and hair loss also ranked highly, according to the data from OnePoll.com.
Over two in three (68%) of these added this negatively impacts all parts of their everyday life, from what they wear to how they socialise and work.
A spokesperson for Naturist UK & Worldwide and Naturist UK & Beyond added: “For us, naturism is a normal, everyday way of being.
“It encourages people to feel comfortable in their own skin and creates a welcoming, supportive space where everyone can truly be themselves.
“It’s wonderful to see our stigma‑free way of life being embraced, and we look forward to welcoming even more newcomers to the beach this summer.”
NATURIST UK & WORLDWIDE AND NATURIST UK & BEYOND TOP TIPS ON HOW TO EMBRACE A ‘SKINNY-DIPPING’ LIFESTYLE:
Take small steps:
Start at your own pace, even by taking layers off over time. You could start by walking around your home clothes-free to get familiar with the feeling, separating nudity from sensuality. Then move up to short trips to the beach or pool and build up gradually. Think of it as easing in, like testing the water, just with slightly less layers.
Let confidence grow naturally over time:
Confidence doesn’t happen instantly. The more you spend time in judgment-free environments, the more normal it feels. Positive experiences will help build your confidence. It’s important to remember that, in these spaces, everyone is welcoming and in the same boat.
Don’t forget your essentials:
Always bring sunscreen, water, and a towel. Yes, even when you’ve committed to the “less is more” lifestyle, you still need protection, hydration, and something to sit on. After all, there’s plenty of skin to protect.
Focus on connection over appearance:
Shift your attention away from how bodies look and toward shared experiences, whether that’s conversation, being in nature, or relaxation. It doesn’t take long before nudity becomes background noise and you’ll soon realise the big secret: no one’s really watching you.
Practice self-compassion:
Everyone has insecurities, and that’s completely normal. What really matters is how you treat yourself. Showing kindness goes a long way, and confidence tends to grow naturally when you feel at ease with who you are.