Have I ever mentioned that I was once attacked by a swarm of angry bugs that were particularly interested in my breasts? It was a warm June day, and my kids insisted on taking me to a hidden trail they had found in the woods. I was still in my cleaning clothes, which consisted of a loose tank top equipped with one of those shelf bras. Let’s be honest: for someone with a DD cup like mine, that shelf bra doesn’t provide much support. But I didn’t think I’d need much.
Once we ventured deep into the woods, the flies emerged as if they were waiting for the perfect moment to strike. “Fresh human blood!” they seemed to chant. Being a breastfeeding mom, I guess the flies were lured by more than just my skin. I spent the entire trek swatting them away from my breasts, and oddly enough, they only bothered me—not my kids or my partner. So there I was, the unfortunate target of a milk-hungry swarm.
Initially, it was just a mild itch, but a few days later, I found myself with an array of swollen, red bumps covering my chest. As a busy mom, I sometimes skip showers, but now, I had no choice; the only relief came from cleansing my skin. I even picked up some anti-itch cream from the pharmacy, which offered a bit of comfort, but anything that touched my skin ignited the itchiness.
This situation forced me to go braless for the first time in years. During my teenage years, I had embraced a braless lifestyle as a form of rebellion, but that was over two decades ago, so this felt quite strange. I mostly stayed at home without one, and initially, it threw off my balance. While I usually sleep without a bra, I had a habit of wearing one during the day for that extra support. In fact, I often felt unready for the day until I put one on, as if it held everything in place.
However, with no other option, I spent most of the day without a bra beneath my shirt. To my surprise, it felt liberating. This was not just a means of avoiding the itch; it turned out to be a more relaxed experience overall. I had always assumed bras helped with back support, but without one, I found my neck and shoulders loosened up. I realized I had been depending on my bra for posture, and without it, I had to engage my core muscles more actively. I worried I might appear droopy or heavier, but in comfortable, well-fitting clothing, I actually looked fine. I noticed I was sweating less—not just under my breasts but everywhere. By the end of the day, I felt a newfound sense of confidence (which might have also been boosted by my partner’s enthusiasm for my braless look).
This experience had me pondering whether going braless could be beneficial to overall health. Unfortunately, research on this is scarce (come on, researchers, it’s time to step it up!). A French study suggested that going without a bra might help prevent sagging, as it encourages the muscles to do the work. However, the study noted that this effect only applies continuously and before age 35. Well, oops—too late for me!
I’d also heard claims suggesting that going braless could reduce breast cancer risk, but the studies that supported those rumors have since been dismissed. The American Cancer Society even issued a statement debunking them.
Regardless, I can’t shake the feeling that being braless, at least occasionally, is good for both the body and the soul. Thankfully, my fly bites healed up (thank goodness!), and I resumed wearing bras more regularly. I still prefer one if I know I’ll be doing a lot of walking or running—mostly chasing after my kids but also for exercise. Nonetheless, I’ve embraced going braless more often and have opted for looser-fitting bras when I do wear them. Sometimes, after a long day in a bra, I start to feel an itch—metaphorically speaking, as though my breasts are begging for freedom. When I finally remove my bra, I exhale deeply, feeling lighter and more at ease.
I’m not claiming that going braless will revolutionize your life, but I had completely forgotten how delightful and freeing it could be until those pesky flies reminded me.
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Summary:
Going braless can be a liberating experience, as I discovered when a swarm of flies led to an unexpected itch crisis. While there’s limited research on the health benefits, many women may find that going without a bra occasionally offers relief, comfort, and a sense of confidence. Embracing this choice has led me to feel more relaxed and in tune with my body.
Keyphrase: Going braless benefits
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