Yes, that’s right the humble shower is a great place to find some tranquillity and destress. If all you’ve ever heard about was relaxing in a bath but were never really a bath person or simply don’t have the space for a bath read on.
Research shows that people are enjoying showers over baths today. This could be a result of our busy lifestyles, or simply that many smaller apartments don’t have the space for a bathtub.
Whatever the reason there are many benefits to a shower. It can be a calming and tranquil place to recharge yourself. Incorporating aromatherapy into your shower can be a game-changer in making the shower a great tool for relaxing.
Benefits of a Shower
A hot shower can be a great place to unwind after a busy day. Hot showers produce steam and warmth, which can soothe tense muscles, help clear your mind, boost your levels of oxytocin and release toxins. Cold showers can help boost your immune system, help burn fat and help improve depression.
A study done in 2016 showed that starting with a hot shower and then lowering the temperature later helped to boost the immune system and resulted in adults taking fewer sick days over the course of a year. (reference – National Library of Medicine). In fact, in ancient times, Roman bathing was based on the practice of moving through a series of heated rooms culminating in a cold plunge at the end. Today this traditional ritual of the frigidarium is still practiced in most spas around the world.
A shower or bath before bed can also be a great way to improve the quality of sleep, research shows (reference – National Library of Medicine) that showering 1 -2 hours before bed for just 10 minutes can improve the quality of sleep.
Promoting Mindfulness and Tranquillity in the Shower
A shower is also a great place to practice mindfulness and promote feelings of calm. As it’s a familiar place that is warm and comforting it is easier for our mind and body to relax, free of distractions.
Start by placing a few drops of your chosen essential oil on the shower floor ideally in a corner that you won’t be stepping on before running the shower and let the steam enhance the scent. As you shower let your senses fully engage, breathe in deeply inhaling the scent. Try to inhale for a count of four and exhale for a count of six a few times before returning to your normal pace.
Do a body scan, feel the heat of the water on your skin and pay attention to how your muscles are feeling. Start by focusing on your feet and work upwards. Focus on the sensations as you lather up, scrub, and clean. Take a moment to enjoy the scent and feel of your chosen shower products. Close your eyes and let the water gently run over you. Take a deep breath and imagine the water washing away all the worries and stresses of the day down the drain.
Using Essential Oils in the Shower
From historical use and the many scientific studies available today we know that aromatherapy can be a very useful tool in helping us manage stress. Depending on your intention you can choose which essential oil you wish to use as a part of your showering ritual.
Here is a list of essential oils that are particularly beneficial in the shower try adding a few drops of one or two of these oils to the floor of your shower
- Relaxation – Lavender, Chamomile, Bergamot
- Boost energy, focus and wake up – Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Rosemary
- Boost positive energy and uplift – Sweet orange, lemon, Grapefruit
- Boost creativity – Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Clary Sage, Mandarin
- Respiratory support – Eucalyptus, Peppermint
