Don’t Hibernate — Stay Connected

September has arrived, and with it comes that familiar change of rhythm. The evenings begin drawing in, temperatures become increasingly Welsh and sitting naked in the garden starts requiring rather more enthusiasm than it did in July.

For many naturists, autumn can therefore mark the beginning of an unofficial hibernation.

Camps become less frequent, spontaneous outdoor gatherings become harder and people we have laughed with throughout summer can gradually disappear from view until spring.

I would rather we did something different.

I want us to stay connected.

There is good reason to take that seriously. Public Health Wales reported this year that 13% of people aged 16 and over in Wales experience loneliness, another 13% are socially isolated, while 71% describe themselves as fairly or very connected. 

Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that loneliness affects approximately one person in six. Of course, putting people into an online group does not magically create friendship. We have all encountered internet spaces containing hundreds of people where somehow nobody appears to be talking to anybody.

The research is more interesting than that. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined 40 randomised controlled trials involving 6,062 people and found that digital approaches containing group and interactive elements showed greater promise for reducing loneliness than simply giving people solitary things to do online. The researchers also caution that the evidence remains mixed and further high-quality research is needed.

That distinction matters to us.

We don’t simply want you to hear from Naturism Wales. We want to hear from you.

Our community chat belongs to the community, so share away. Tell us about your hobbies, holidays and adventures. Share somewhere interesting you’ve visited, a book you’re enjoying, something you’re learning, photographs you’re proud of, ideas for future gatherings or simply something that made you smile.

Ask questions. Start conversations. Recommend things. The person you’ve met at camp may turn out to share your obscure hobby, while somebody you’ve never met may have just returned from the place you’re thinking of visiting.

There is more coming too. We are developing new interactive online features designed to create more opportunities to participate, contribute and remain involved rather than simply scroll.

And online connection is only half of the story.

As we explained recently in A New Year-Round Home for Naturism Wales, our developing indoor provision in North Wales means autumn and winter can now bring social gatherings and indoor activities rather than an annual countdown to spring.

We are also expanding the conversation itself.

I’m delighted to welcome Dave Thomas, who joins our writing team with a particular focus on wellness and wellbeing, bringing a calm, practical and evidence-aware perspective to living well. Lauren joins us from the travel and outdoors side, exploring places, journeys and experiences worth discovering. Alongside Eira and me, that gives Naturism Wales four different voices and four different ways of looking at the world.

Yesterday, in Summer Ends Today. Naturism Doesn’t., I argued that naturism shouldn’t disappear simply because the calendar changes.  Today is really the next part of that conversation.

Naturism is how we live, and community should not depend upon sunshine.

So don’t hibernate. Come indoors. Join the chat. Share something. Try something new. Read, contribute, laugh and stay involved.

We aren’t winding down for winter. In many ways, we’re only just getting started.

What would help you feel more connected to the Naturism Wales community this autumn and winter?

Sources and further reading

Public Health Wales — Wales leads globally in recognising social connections as a public health priority

Welsh evidence on loneliness, social isolation and social connection, including the figures used in this article. Read Public Health Wales⁠

World Health Organization — Social Connection

The WHO evidence behind the estimate that approximately one in six people globally experiences loneliness. Read the WHO evidence⁠

Digital Bridges to Social Connection — Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Research examining 40 randomised controlled trials and 6,062 participants, including the role of interactive and group-based digital approaches. Read the research on PubMed⁠