It's looking like summer 2015 is shaping up to be The Summer Of The Breast. It could be the sudden onset of hot weather that wills us all to shed our clothing; it could also be the Internet obsessing over everything breast-centric, from the courageous #SayHerName protestors to Miley Cyrus' Instagram account. Inspired to take your top off? Here are some compelling arguments to #FreeTheNipple right now.
To Wake Up Refreshed
Going to bed with less clothing makes for a deeper sleep. According to a 2008 study done at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, the optimal temperature for restorative sleep lies between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that people "consider going au naturel" to avoid getting overheated, a problem that can actually reduce the melatonin production needed to achieve restful sleep.
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To Stick It To The Media
Freeing the [female] nipple is still not allowed on Instagram, but a female nipple strategically obscured or just barely covered tends to be acceptable. See: Insta-heroine Miley Cyrus’ history of nip flashes and pasty-rocking. However, some strides are being made, as the site recently updated its community guidelines to allow "photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding” as well as “nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures.”
To Have More Connected Sex
Going to second base brings female-bodied folks closer to their sexual partners. According to Larry Young, PhD, of Emory University, when the female nipple is stimulated, it sends a signal to the brain to release oxytocin, generating a feel-good mood and an instant emotional connection to the stimulator. Dr. Young's study found that this "ancient neural circuit" is an evolutionary adaptation that's kept couples hot for one another throughout the ages. Which is a win-win for everyone.
Going to second base brings female-bodied folks closer to their sexual partners. According to Larry Young, PhD, of Emory University, when the female nipple is stimulated, it sends a signal to the brain to release oxytocin, generating a feel-good mood and an instant emotional connection to the stimulator. Dr. Young's study found that this "ancient neural circuit" is an evolutionary adaptation that's kept couples hot for one another throughout the ages. Which is a win-win for everyone.
To Protest (& Empower)
Showing skin can be a clever way to expose social issues. Back in May, a group of activists from the BlackOUT collective took to the streets of San Francisco sans shirts to bring attention to the #SayHerName movement, created in reaction to the release of information surrounding police brutality against black women. Even more badass was the fact that many protesters were survivors of various kinds of trauma and sexual violence; they told Buzzfeed News that they saw their actions as a way to “reclaim their bodies in a public space." It just goes to show how truly powerful a topless woman can be.
Showing skin can be a clever way to expose social issues. Back in May, a group of activists from the BlackOUT collective took to the streets of San Francisco sans shirts to bring attention to the #SayHerName movement, created in reaction to the release of information surrounding police brutality against black women. Even more badass was the fact that many protesters were survivors of various kinds of trauma and sexual violence; they told Buzzfeed News that they saw their actions as a way to “reclaim their bodies in a public space." It just goes to show how truly powerful a topless woman can be.