As a woman, I’ve always had a long, painful, love-hate relationship with my bra.
These pretty, elegant undergarments are one of the most potent symbols of femininity around, and they are solidly tied to the idea of what it is to be a woman. Women have been wearing them in one form or another since antiquity, as we saw with this ancient undergarment.
Today, bras are ubiquitous in daily life, worn by just about every woman, with the belief that they provide much-needed chest support. But how much of the bra’s usefulness is real, and how much of it is a myth?
It may surprise you to learn just how many advantages of the bra are a bit exaggerated. While it totally depends on your body type and comfort level, there are tons of situations and occasions where a bra might be totally unnecessary.
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In fact, there are a ton of benefits to ditching the undergarment entirely!
Scroll through the gallery below to see exactly what you can gain from losing the bra!
Perk #1: Bras Have Zero Effect On ‘Perkiness’
A lot of women feel that they have to wear a bra, because otherwise their 'girls' will start to sag and lose their perkiness.
In fact, a long-running French study has proven that bras most likely have the opposite effect, causing breasts to lose their shape over time.
According to the study, that's because the "support" of the bra weakens the muscles in the chest, making the breasts droop and reinforces the idea that a bra is necessary in a never-ending cycle.
Perk #2: Your Circulation Will Get A Boost
We don't normally think about our bras causing health symptoms, but you might be surprised by the impact on your cardiovascular wellness.
After all, when you think about it, what is a bra if not a giant rubber band squeezing around your chest?
All that tightness and squeezing can slow and impede your circulation by compressing your major blood vessels.
Establishing a bra-free routine will help the blood flow freely, and might boost your energy and overall health as a result!
Perk #3: Your Sleep Cycle Will Thank You
If you have a hard time getting to sleep at night, your bra may be to blame.
For one thing, it used to be common practice to wear your bra at night, which inevitably led to discomfort and difficulty sleeping.
For another, even if you don't wear a bra at night, they might still be wreaking havoc from afar by impacting your circadian rhythms, as demonstrated by this study, and keeping you from getting a full night's sleep.
If you ask us, getting a full night's sleep is well worth ditching bras for good!
Perk #4: Your Breast Health Will Improve
That same French study about breast 'perkiness' also makes sure to state that bras are not actually dangerous to your health in most cases.
The exception is bras that don't fit well, which can cause rib pain, shortness of breath, and other medical complaints, according to Cosmo.
Going sans-brassiere may also improve the health of your skin and muscles as blood flow improves, muscle tone tightens, and sweat and dirt are no longer trapped against the skin by material that doesn't breathe.
Perk #5: You’ll Be Comfy
There's a rush of relief that comes with taking off your bra at the end of a long day.
And the relief of stripping down is about twice as sweet if the bra in question happens to be lacy, itchy, or just a hair too tight.
Now, imagine feeling that level of comfort and freedom all day, every day.
If you ask us, that alone is a blissful enough reason to change your relationship with the bra!
Perk #6: You Might Gain A Cup Size
Lots of us reach for a push-up bra when we want to look more buxom. It seems like the easiest way to create instant cleavage and a bigger chest.
In fact, the best way to build up your cup size long-term might just be ditching the cups entirely.
That's because letting your breasts hang naturally forces the pectoral muscles to work and resist gravity.
Though the breasts themselves won't actually grow, the firmed-up muscles will help to boost your chest and make it appear fuller overall.
Perk #7: You Can Save Money For Another Time
Bras do not come cheap, even when you manage to snag one on sale.
Often, the process of tracking down the right bra in the right size leaves you so worn out that you're willing to buy it at any price, which leads to lots of women forking over an arm and a leg for any bra that fits.
Why not save the $58 (double that if you buy it in black, too) and spend it on something that you really want or need?
Cutting down on your bra purchases will certainly save you a pretty penny in the long run!
Perk #8: It Will Enhance Your Shape
While you don't have to skip the bra absolutely all of the time, establishing the habit of going all natural has a great effect overall on your breast shape.
If you want your breasts to appear fuller, rounder, and perkier, ditching the bra can have a huge long-term effect.
Don't expect to see results right away, but letting your 'girls' go free is essentially an effort-free fitness regime.
Your chest muscles will strengthen over time and help to round you out for your ideal shape!
What do you think? Would you ever give up your bras? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to SHARE so friends can weigh in, too!
