Achieving the Perfect Shower

Achieving the Perfect Shower

 There are two types of people in this world—showers and bathers. (Well, I guess a third category would be those who do neither, but I’d rather not explore that.) I’m a lifelong devotee to the nighttime shower; for me, there’s no other way to end a long day. One of my good friends, however, thinks showers are only for convenience and takes long baths for relaxation 1 instead.

Unfortunately for her and other bath enthusiasts 2, 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 soothing 3 actions will ensure a peaceful and contented 4 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 skimp 5 on small luxuries like a decent shower head. Find one with a massage 6 setting to ease tense muscles and joints 7.
2. Get clean with your favorite smells.
One of the best parts about taking a bath is using bath soap with calming scents 8 like lavender or vanilla 9. 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-being 10 with minimal 11 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 jolt 12 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. Lather 13 up with rejuvenating 14 face soap and shampoo.
Just like vanilla and lavender are relaxing scents, there are certain smells that invigorate the senses, too. Peppermint 15 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 tingle 16, which stimulates 17 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 makers 18, 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 lulling 19 us into the perfect mindset for slumber 20. 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.