Possible benefits of not wearing a bra

Key takeaways

• Not wearing a bra often may have some benefits, such as increased blood flow, prevention of acid reflux, and improved sleep quality.
• Going braless does not cause a sagging breast or cause the breast to lose its elasticity.
• Things that can contribute to breast sagging include hormonal changes, pregnancy, and aging.

Nothing beats that feeling of getting home after a busy day at work, unbuttoning your shirt, and going straight for your bra to yank it off your chest. 

There is a pleasure and relief that comes with taking off that strappy piece of clothing that has been clinging to your body all day long. But besides that feeling of relief, there is more the body can benefit from when you skip wearing bras every moment. 

Below are 5 good reasons you must not always wear a bra.

1. Increases blood flow

Wearing a bra can cause a discomforting and constricting sensation. This feeling may be worsened by wearing bras that are too tight. Such bras can impede blood flow to muscles of the chest and back and can lead to back pain.

However, when you take off your bra, it helps improve blood circulation through the formerly constricted area. This is one possible benefit of not wearing a bra. People who have bigger cup sizes are more likely to experience a drastic improvement in circulation when they toss aside their bras.

2. Prevents acid reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive system disorder that causes the stomach’s acid-containing contents to persistently flow back into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the esophagus).

The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus is called acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause irritation of the esophageal lining; thus, causing a burning sensation in the throat and chest. It can also lead to back pain.

If you have GERD, taking off your bra can help relieve acid reflux. One of the causes of acid reflux is wearing tight clothing. Tight clothes can increase intra-abdominal pressure so that acid gets pushed from the stomach to the lower end of the esophagus. 

3. More sleep

Some people sleep in their bras, and that can be very uncomfortable. First, you will feel the straps pinching at your shoulders, the hooks cutting into your back, and the underwire digging into your ribs. 

Wearing a bra while sleeping may disturb your sleep cycle, affect your circadian rhythms, and cause discomfort; thus, reducing the quality of sleep. 

Therefore, one way to ensure you enjoy your sleep is by going braless! If you are thinking of one benefit of not wearing a bra, this is it. You can even go entirely naked, as sleeping naked has health benefits, including improving sleep quality.

Note that poor sleep quality can cause both mental and physical health problems.

4. Improves skin

Not wearing a bra always can also benefit your skin. Going braless can prevent skin irritation and acne mechanica.

When a person wears a bra regularly, the bra tends to trap dirt, moisture, and sweat on the breast's skin. This can cause the pores on the breast skin to clog.

Sweat can get trapped underneath the breasts in women with larger busts, further causing skin irritation. This can lead to a type of acne called acne mechanica. Acne mechanica is a type of acne that results from friction or applying pressure to the skin. 

Also, wearing a tight bra can cause inflammation of the hair follicles. Fungus or bacteria on the skin's surface can easily penetrate the hair follicles, leading to an infection.

5. Works under-breast muscles

Not wearing a bra may be one way to work the muscles and ligaments that support your breasts. It can help tone the breast. When you wear bras often, the muscles and ligaments can become lazy over time. 

At first, people with fuller breasts may feel a strain on their back when they are not wearing bras, but with time, they build up strength in their back and chest muscles for breast support. 

Targeted breast exercises can help strengthen the ligaments and build muscle strength faster. The body has the ability to support itself; you should allow it. 

Going braless does not cause breast sagging

The popular belief that not wearing bras can cause breasts to sag is false. On the contrary, when you stop wearing a bra often, your breasts might retain their shape and stay perkier. 

While wearing bras can improve posture and prevent some spinal problems, there is no concrete evidence that it causes saggy breasts.

If sleeping in a bra is comfortable for you, there is nothing wrong with that. However, an article on John Hopkins Medicine pointed out that “sleeping in a bra will not make a girl’s breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy”.

In fact, a study found that wearing a bra increased breast sagging in women aged 18-35. According to the study, on average, the nipples of women who didn’t wear bras were lifted about seven millimeters in one year in relation to the shoulders.

A woman’s breast may droop depending on different factors such as:

• Aging
• Larger breast size
• Gaining weight rapidly and then losing it (or vice versa)
• Collagen deficiency
• Estrogen deficiency
• Multiple pregnancies
• Menopause

You may want to try some natural methods for improving saggy breasts or opt for breast augmentation surgeries.