When most people think of superpowers, they might imagine flying, telepathy, or superhuman strength. But what if one of the most overlooked superpowers had nothing to do with saving the world—and everything to do with taking off your pants? As odd as it sounds, there’s growing evidence that people who enjoy being naked at home may possess a quiet mental edge.
And no, it’s not just about comfort or vanity. It turns out that this preference might be linked to a powerful personality trait and—believe it or not—a higher level of intelligence.
Let’s peel back the layers, shall we?
Not Just a Quirk: Why Some People Ditch Clothes at the Door
Picture this: You walk through your front door after a long day. Some people kick off their shoes, others grab snacks, and a certain group? They immediately shed their clothes and bask in the breeze of complete freedom.
To the uninitiated, this might sound bizarre—or at least highly impractical. After all, we live in a world where clothing is expected, even in most private settings. But for some, being nude at home isn’t just a rebellious act or an indulgent habit—it’s their default setting. And interestingly, this behavior doesn’t necessarily signal exhibitionism or even confidence in one’s body. Instead, research suggests it may be rooted in something deeper: a personality trait known as openness to experience.
Meet the Big Five: The Psychology Behind Personality
In psychology, human personality is often studied using the Big Five personality traits, also known as the Five Factor Model. These five categories include:
- Extraversion – Sociability and outgoingness
- Agreeableness – Compassion and cooperation
- Conscientiousness – Organization and responsibility
- Neuroticism – Emotional stability and anxiety levels
- Openness to Experience – Creativity, curiosity, and willingness to try new things
It’s this last one—openness to experience—that plays a starring role in our story. People high in openness tend to be imaginative, adventurous, and intellectually curious. They’re more likely to explore unfamiliar ideas, question social norms, and challenge conventions—including those around nudity.
Read more: Things Highly Intelligent People Unknowingly Do When Bored: Psychology
Research Uncovered the Link Between Nudity and Intelligence
Back in 2017, researchers Lewis R. Goldberg and Benjamin P. Chapman conducted a large-scale personality study involving over 1,000 participants. Their goal was to examine how daily behaviors—ranging from the mundane to the unexpected—lined up with the Big Five traits.
They asked participants about dozens of habits: how often they talk on the phone, whether they sing in the shower, and yes, whether they enjoy being naked at home. What emerged was a fascinating pattern. People who reported enjoying time in the nude also scored highly on openness to experience—the same trait that’s consistently associated with higher IQ levels.
But it wasn’t just nudity that linked back to openness. Two other behaviors popped up as well:
- A strong preference for spicy food
- A fondness for swearing
Put simply, if you love hot sauce, curse creatively, and feel your best in the buff—you might just have a uniquely flexible, curious, and high-functioning mind.
The Psychology of Being Comfortable in Your Skin
Why would nudity and intelligence be linked at all? It’s less about the body and more about the brain.
People who are more open tend to challenge societal expectations. Clothes, after all, are as much a social construct as a practical need. Being nude at home—where it’s safe and private—requires a willingness to break away from the status quo. It signals a level of self-awareness and independence. You’re not necessarily making a statement; you’re simply doing what feels natural without needing anyone’s approval.
There’s also a sensory element. Some people feel more mentally at ease when they’re physically unencumbered. For them, ditching fabric equals ditching stress.
In a culture that often teaches shame around the human body, choosing nudity in a private setting can also be a quiet act of rebellion—one that speaks to mental freedom, not just physical comfort.
A Pandemic Shift: When Nudity Became Normalized
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the world saw a massive change in how people related to their homes—and their clothes. With the majority of the global workforce suddenly stuck indoors, many people began to shed layers both literally and figuratively.
A 2020 informal survey by CouponFollow revealed that 29% of remote workers admitted to working from home in the nude. That’s nearly a third of respondents choosing birthday suits over business suits. Even before that, a 2018 Women’s Health survey found that 48% of women preferred walking around the house naked.
Why the shift? Well, with nowhere to go and no dress codes to follow, people started exploring what actually made them feel good at home. And many discovered that the absence of clothing brought a surprising sense of calm, focus, and liberation.
Even social media forums like Reddit lit up with testimonials from users who only wear clothing when absolutely necessary—usually when guests are expected or when it’s time to leave the house. For many, being naked became a mental reset, a private ritual of sorts.
Read more: Social Rules That Highly Intelligent People Quietly Ignore
Europe’s Relaxed Relationship With Nudity
Across the pond, Europe has long embraced a more casual attitude toward the human body. In many countries, it’s not uncommon to see topless sunbathers or even entire nudist beaches where no one bats an eye. In fact, in 2022, a UK survey found that 14% of respondents identified as nudists, meaning they enjoy being naked in designated social settings like beaches, resorts, or clubs.
An additional 21% of Britons said they had gone skinny-dipping—and enjoyed it.
Compare that to American norms, where public nudity is still largely taboo, and even artistic depictions of the body often face censorship. As travel expert Rick Steves once remarked, some of his TV segments that include European statues can’t be shown before 10 p.m. in certain American towns.
This isn’t just a cultural curiosity—it reflects how societies view the body, identity, and personal expression. And research suggests that greater comfort with nudity may reflect more open-minded, mentally agile societies.
Beyond Comfort: The Mental Benefits of Nudity
Aside from personality links, some psychologists suggest that nudity—particularly in a safe, familiar environment—can have psychological benefits. These include:
- Reduced anxiety: Being nude at home can help some people disconnect from the pressures of appearance, comparison, and body image.
- Improved self-acceptance: Regular exposure to one’s own body, without judgment, can foster body neutrality or even positivity.
- Enhanced sensory awareness: Feeling air on your skin, sunlight, or even your bed sheets in their natural texture can sharpen your connection to the present moment.
These benefits are subtle but real. And when combined with a flexible, open mindset, it creates a recipe for stronger self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
So… Is Being Naked at Home Really a “Superpower”?
If we define a superpower as something that gives you a unique edge, then yes—it kind of is.
The choice to go clothes-free at home may seem trivial, but it quietly reflects traits like:
- Cognitive flexibility
- Creative thinking
- Nonconformity
- Emotional independence
It doesn’t mean you’re better than everyone else. But it does suggest that you’re more likely to question norms, explore new ideas, and live according to your own values—hallmarks of intelligence and personal freedom.
Even if you never go full nudist, embracing a little unconventional comfort could unlock something surprising in your own life.
Read more: If You’re Highly Intelligent, You Probably Avoid Watching, Following, Consuming These Things
The Bottom Line: Intelligence Might Not Wear Pants
Whether you’re someone who loves flannel pajamas, a plush robe, or nothing at all, the important takeaway is this: our small daily habits can say a lot about how we think and who we are. Choosing to be naked at home isn’t just about feeling breezy—it could point to a brain that enjoys wandering off the beaten path.
So the next time you find yourself alone with the blinds drawn and the house to yourself, consider what it might feel like to ditch your clothes—and the expectations that come with them.
You may just find that your most relaxed, most authentic, and yes—most intelligent self—emerges when you let go of what you should wear and simply be.
