We’re not suggesting anything extreme, just an assortment of activities to do, designed to gently nudge you out of your covered-up comfort zone.

1. Take a Bath

If you’re like most people, you don’t spend much more than 8 to 10 minutes in the shower. Bathing in the tub will help you to slow down your ablutions and will give you the perfect opportunity to become better acquainted with your body all over again.

2. Share Dinner in the Nude

Next to sex, eating is the most sensual thing we do. It engages every sense—even hearing, as we crunch into a crisp apple, say, or sip a spoonful of soup. A romantic dinner is often the prelude to lovemaking. It sustains us and is vital to our very well-being. And yet, we almost always do it clothed—for obvious reasons, of course. But, for the purposes of becoming more comfortable in the nude, there’s much to be said for pairing nakedness with a delicious meal.

3. Snooze in the Nude

Leaving your pajamas in the drawer for a night is a worthy experience. But to get the most out of your naked 8 hours, don’t just climb into bed, strip under the covers, and go straight to sleep. Spend some time experiencing the sensation of being sans nightie before you doze off. If you like the way your sheets make you feel, splurge on a new set that has a higher thread count than you’re used to and make it a regular thing.

4. Get a Massage

This step is a way to “practice” being nude by spending time in an environment where it’s okay. The most important thing to remember if you’re squeamish is this: The therapist will not be judging you in any way. The massage therapist will be focused only on what’s going on underneath your skin: the musculature and any tense areas that might need extra attention.

5. Get Fitted for Sexy Lingerie

Like a massage therapist, a professional lingerie fitter will take an objective view of your body. Unlike a massage therapist, she’ll go over with you what she sees as she measures you and evaluates the items you try on. Pay attention to what she says: She sees dozens of nearly nude bodies every day, and her reactions to yours will underscore just how normal it is—and, more important, what your best assets are.

6. Take That Nude Photo

Besides giving you an opportunity to be naked in a situation where you would normally be clothed, being photographed naked will yield a souvenir that you can use as inspiration. Even so, it should be as flattering as possible: The idea is to provide a sense of pride and possibility. Stick to black and white-it’s less distracting than colour, and you’ll see fewer irregularities in skin tone-and use soft, diffused light to soften any lumps, bumps, or other imperfections on your skin.