Achieving the Perfect Shower

Unfortunately for her and other bath enthusiasts², there’s rarely time in our busy schedules for a proper bath. But showers can be as relaxing as baths or as reviving as a cup of coffee with the right tools at our disposal.

The Recipe for Relaxation

Most people think of showers as the perfect way to wake up in the morning, but they’re an equally great pre-sleep ritual as well. The hot water elevates our body temperatures, which makes us relaxed and sleepy. Pairing hot water with other similarly soothing³ actions will ensure a peaceful and contented⁴ state of mind.

1. Invest in a good shower head.

A shower can go from enjoyable to downright infuriating if the water pressure is not right. Showering is something most of us do quite often, so there’s no reason to skimp⁵ on small luxuries like a decent shower head. Find one with a massage⁶ setting to ease tense muscles and joints⁷.

2. Get clean with your favorite smells.

One of the best parts about taking a bath is using bath soap with calming scents⁸ like lavender or vanilla⁹. Luckily, brands like Calgon and the Body Shop make aromatherapy body washes that have the same effect.

3. Take yoga to the shower stall.

I’m not suggesting you start doing downward dog poses and sun salutations behind the shower curtain, but yoga techniques like breathing deeply and closing your eyes to find peace can be easily incorporated into a shower session. Long showers waste water, but just taking an extra minute to decompress will have a great effect on your emotional well-being¹⁰ with minimal¹¹ environmental impact.

Invigorating Ideas

Many people I know rely on showers to get them out of bed and out the door in the morning. It’s the only thing other than a jolt¹² of caffeine that shakes the sleep from their eyes. However, a quick spray of water isn’t always enough to get the job done. That’s where these shower tricks come in handy.

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4. Lather¹³ up with rejuvenating¹⁴ face soap and shampoo.

Just like vanilla and lavender are relaxing scents, there are certain smells that invigorate the senses, too. Peppermint¹⁵ and citrus are especially good at turning on the brain, so look for face washes and shampoos in these scents. Minty products also have the benefit of making skin tingle¹⁶, which stimulates¹⁷ both body and mind.

If you’re really desperate, there’s also a soap called Shower Shock that releases caffeine into your system when you wash yourself with it. According to its makers¹⁸, it’s the equivalent of two cups of coffee.

5. Play uplifting music.

Shower time fun increases exponentially with a good soundtrack. Choose music that puts you in a good mood, especially songs that you can’t help but sing along to. Listening to music will get you pumped and ready to tackle the day in high spirits. Don’t let fear of being overheard stop you. The shower will help drown out some of the sound and besides, it’s a proven fact that everyone sounds better in the shower.

6. Turn down the heat.

Hot showers raise the body temperature and prepare us for sleep, so taking a steamy shower isn’t the best way to revive yourself in the morning. Some believe that our bodies benefit from alternating blasts of cold and lukewarm water. Water at these temperatures is supposed to improve blood flow throughout the body, which makes the brain more alert.

Showers are often given a perfunctory status, but there’s no reason why we can’t make our showers work for us—either by giving us a natural burst of energy in the morning or lulling¹⁹ us into the perfect mindset for slumber²⁰. With a few adjustments to our regular shower routines, we can have all the luxury of a bath or even more invigoration. Either way, taking a little extra time to make the most out of our showers will surely refresh, in one way or another.

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