The global health crisis has made me reevaluate how I used to live my life—you know, the one when we were still allowed to go out and when the government wasn’t endangering the lives and sovereignty of the whole country.
A newfound wariness regarding germs, skin-to-skin contact and handwashing are at the top of my mind. Eating healthier and saving money is second. And the constant fear and speculation about what the world would be like post-pandemic is third.
One of the things that the coronavirus pandemic is teaching people around the world is that what’s “normal” pre-coronavirus can just as easily become defunct or obsolete once the pandemic ends. The division between what is essential and non-essential has also led people to be more practical and pragmatic about the things they own and consume.
One pre-pandemic thing I’ve removed from my life? Bras. And I’m not the only one. People on social media have ditched these chest and rib prisons while at home. As the temperature rises, more and more people have also chosen to let their breasts taste freedom, especially because the alternative is buckets and buckets of boob sweat.
If you’re inspired by the people going all out in making #FreeTheNipple happen, there is no better time than now to ditch your oppressive bra: You’re in the comfort of your own home, with (hopefully) no one telling you how to get dressed. But if you’re still on the fence about getting rid of that bra, here are some amazing benefits that will really convince you that bras are non-essential.
Improved circulation
Sometimes, it feels like bras are just giant rubber bands squeezing your chest the whole day. And for about 80 percent of the women who wear the wrong bra size, it’s pure torture. Letting go of that bra will allow your skin and muscles to loosen up and for your blood vessels to be decompressed. Once you stop wearing that bra, blood flow will no longer be impeded. Once freed, blood flow can significantly help in boosting your energy and overall health.
Help to the finances
Girl, bras are a luxury. And if you’re someone who’s very particular about quality in terms of your underwear, don’t expect it to come cheap. Bras also have a surprisingly short shelf life, especially wired ones. A bra usually stays at peak condition for up to eight months—any time after that, especially if you engage in strenuous physical activity or aggressive laundry practices, expect wear and tear like thread unspooling, wires popping and foam pads disintegrating. Thankfully, not wearing a bra means not paying for one and if the coronavirus recession is really as devastating as experts say, then we need to save all the cash we can get.
Stronger breasts
Breasts are mounds of muscle and not wearing a bra can tone and strengthen your breasts. Not wearing a bra means that your breasts will be affected by gravity and when that happens, your pectoral muscles will work hard to resist it. This will result in firm chest muscles that can even help your breasts look fuller and perkier.
There’s even a study conducted by sports scientist Jean-Denis Rouillon that spans over 15 years of experiments and evidence saying that long-term bra usage is not beneficial at all. In the study, wearing your bras long-term can result in weakened chest muscles and can even increase the chances of your breasts sagging.
Imagine if it’s normal for girls to be out topless
ANG INET!!#artph pic.twitter.com/iSMe9f8Plb
— 🕊️ COMMISSIONS OPEN 🕊️ #OUSTDUTERTENOW (@franshookie_art) May 9, 2020
Clears up skin
If your bra has made your skin red, irritated and chafed, say I.
Due to the material of some bras, skin issues are definitely a problem that many women face. The imprints left on the skin from prolonged use can become wounds or scratches if the material is uncomfortable. There’s also a chance that you’ll develop skin infections or acne mechanica (acne caused by repeated friction against the skin) because of the dirt and sweat that build up underneath the bra. In the summertime, boob sweat is not something you can just stop, so it’s better to prevent all that by saying goodbye to your bra.
Increased comfort
Comfort dressing is the best thing to happen to me, someone who wakes up late and has to endure the daily commute to work (at least, before the ECQ was implemented). Nowadays, locking my bras up in the drawer and never letting them see the light of day is the peak of comfort dressing. Of course, at home where I just wear my oversized shirts and loose shorts, I’m already comfortably dressed. But on the rare times that I have to go out (hey there, fellow quarantine tributes), I don’t even think of putting on a bra. It’s really comfortable and I don’t have to think of pulling a strap up or trying to scratch my back and failing because the hooks are rubbing against my skin.
Because it’s up to you and only you to decide what to wear on your body
At the end of the day, being in charge of how your body looks and the clothes you decide to wear will make you feel good and empowered. There are also some circumstances where a bra can be useful: when you’re engaging in physical activity or when you’re swimming in a non-nudist beach. Each body is different too; some people need that boob support as they go on throughout the day while some can conveniently go without. The decision of wearing a bra or not ultimately falls on your own hands because only you can say what feels truly good and comfortable for you.
Listen, I’m not gonna pretend that deciding to ditch the bra is the most amazing thing that I’ve learned this quarantine—because that’s just me. Weigh the options, the pros and cons, and decide for yourself if you want to bring your bra into the new normal after all the madness of the pandemic.
But if it’s just me deciding? I’ll leave my bra behind me and I’ll never look back.
Art by Tricia Guevara
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