Buzz
Everyone understands the importance of personal hygiene, but there are times when stepping into the shower feels like the last thing you want to do. Whether you’ve had a long, exhausting day or you’re cozily lounging on the sofa wrapped in layers of warm clothing, the thought of getting wet all over can be unbearable. In any situation, a few simple tips can help you find the motivation to shower. These tips are mostly psychological and require you to shift your perspective, making the task of showering feel more manageable and even enjoyable.
Steps
Push Yourself to Shower Immediately
Turn on the water. Sometimes, tackling a daunting task becomes easier when you take it one small step at a time. For now, all you need to do is step into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Adjust the water to a comfortable, warm temperature and imagine the soothing sensation of stepping under the stream. Once you’re actually in the bathroom and everything is ready, the process will feel much less overwhelming.
- The hardest part is often taking that first step.
- Remember, the only obstacle here is laziness, and once you overcome it, nothing can stop you.
Take off your clothes. Once you’ve made it to the bathroom and turned on the shower, try removing your clothes to see how it feels. At this point, it might seem silly to turn off the water and get dressed again after overcoming so many hurdles. You’re already in position, everything is ready, and putting your clothes back on would take just as much effort—so why not go ahead and shower?
- When you’re lounging on the sofa, the list of steps needed to finish showering can feel overwhelming. Instead of focusing on the entire process, tackle each step one at a time.
Remind yourself why showering is necessary. If you’re lacking motivation, think about what happens when you don’t shower regularly. Dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can build up, leaving your skin sticky and uncomfortable. If you go too long without showering, this can lead to issues like itching, clogged pores, and skin infections. Over time, your body will also start to smell, which can be embarrassing in social situations.
- Neglecting to shower can have serious consequences. Skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, and persistent body odor can develop, making you look and feel unhealthy.
- You don’t necessarily need to shower every day. In fact, dermatologists now believe that showering a few times a week is better for your skin. This might make the task feel less daunting.
Establish a Routine
Encourage yourself. Instead of waiting for motivation to strike, tell yourself that you’re determined to get it done and stick to your word. Imagine you’re your own coach. Cheer yourself on with positive affirmations and inspiring thoughts. You’ll feel stronger as soon as you shift your mindset from "I don’t want to do this" to "I can do this."
- Often, the difficulty in motivating yourself comes from fear of effort or a lack of interest. Understand that life always involves tasks we must do, whether we want to or not.
- Using your own name can also make you feel more empowered, as it helps you step outside yourself momentarily and reminds you of personal responsibility.
Treat the task as a challenge. Think about your pride and view overcoming your reluctance to shower as a way to prove yourself. If you can’t even manage to shower, what else can you accomplish? It might sound trivial, but it’s also an opportunity for personal growth. Show yourself that you can follow through on your commitments, which will help you feel more in control of other areas of life.
- Start by creating a daily to-do list and place showering near the top.
- Every time you push past your hesitation and shower, you’ll feel stronger and more in charge.
Turn it into a habit. Once you’ve pushed yourself to shower, repeat the process the next day, and the day after that, and so on. Don’t allow yourself to skip a day or make excuses until it’s too late. After about a week, you’ll overcome your inertia, and showering will become a regular part of your daily routine.
- Set a shower schedule based on your needs and preferences. Some people shower daily, while others shower a few times a week or even once a week. Choose days and times that fit your schedule.
- Once showering becomes a habit, you’ll start to feel off if you miss a session.
Force Yourself to Shower
Exercise. Do a high-intensity workout about half an hour before you need to shower. The likelihood of wanting to shower increases significantly when you’re sweaty and uncomfortable. Think about how refreshed you’ll feel afterward, or at least imagine how bad it would be (and what others might think) if you didn’t shower.
- High-intensity workouts will soak your clothes, leaving your skin and hair sticky and smelly.
- A cold or lukewarm shower can also help cool you down after an intense workout.
Wait until you can’t delay any longer. If you have a meeting, dinner date, or important event coming up where you need to look presentable, wait until the last possible moment so you’re forced to shower before getting ready. The closer the deadline, the more urgent your need to shower becomes, leaving you no choice.
- Don’t forget that you might make a bad impression if others know you haven’t showered.
- You’ll feel more motivated if you find reasons you have to do it rather than just feeling like you should.
Ask a friend for help. Ask a sibling or close friend to remind you to shower whenever they get the chance. Have them ask, “Did you shower today?” or even scold you when you’re being stubborn, making you feel ashamed or guilty if you don’t shower. Tell your helper to nag and pester you if necessary. Eventually, you’ll decide to shower just to get them to stop.
- If you really want accountability, hand over your wallet and tell them to return it only after you’ve showered.
- Sometimes, it’s hard to self-motivate when you’re the only one holding yourself accountable, but having an authority figure or adult supervise you can push you to act out of fear of disappointing them.
Set a timer. A few alarm reminders on your phone can nudge you toward showering. If you tend to forget, this method will remind you of your pending responsibility. If you’re particularly resistant, the alarms will act like a stern, persistent voice demanding you complete the task. Do you want to hear those triumphant alarms? Probably not. So, go take a shower!
- Set a few spaced-out alarms initially, followed by increasingly frequent ones as your deadline approaches (bedtime, preparing for a date, etc.).
- Alarm reminders are an excellent solution if you often forget to shower.
Make the Showering Process More Enjoyable
Use the opportunity to relax. Showering doesn’t always have to be a chore. In fact, it can be a refreshing experience. Turn on the warm water and feel the gentle spray against your skin. Breathe in the steam and let the warmth spread through your body. Take your time. You’re not just cleaning yourself—you’re enjoying a moment of relaxation.
- Shower time is also a chance to step away from the world and enjoy some alone time in peace and quiet.
- Be careful not to overdo it—frequent long, hot showers can strip your skin of its natural oils.
Invest in new shower products. Buy fragrant soaps, moisturizing body washes, shampoos, or facial cleansers with appealing scents, or get a new loofah. It’s harder to delay showering when you’re excited to pamper yourself. Using these products will leave you feeling refreshed and looking forward to the next shower.
- Every few weeks, switch up the scents and types of body wash to avoid monotony. For example, use a fresh floral scent in the summer and switch to an evergreen fragrance during the winter months.
Clean the bathroom. It’s not enjoyable to step into a moldy, soap-scum-covered tub, a slow-dripping showerhead, or a drain clogged with hair. A dirty bathroom can ruin the pleasure of showering. Clean everything thoroughly and see if you can resist the allure of a sparkling, inviting bathroom.
- To prevent mold and keep your bathroom clean and appealing, aim to clean it every 2-3 weeks.
- Mix a simple organic cleaning solution with 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part warm water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant scent.
Play music. Make your shower time more enjoyable by playing your favorite tunes and turning up the volume. Music gives you something to focus on instead of the repetitive motions of soaping, rinsing, and repeating. You can even throw a solo dance party—as long as no one in the house minds.
- Invest in a waterproof phone case or a waterproof speaker that you can bring into the steamy bathroom.
- Create a shower playlist featuring hits like “Splish Splash,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and “Wade in the Water.”
Tips
- Remember: It’s not a big deal… it’s just a shower! Showering is part of daily life and offers numerous benefits, helping you look presentable and feel refreshed.
- Showering only takes a few minutes but helps nourish your skin and hair, prevents illness, and kickstarts your day.
- Shower in the afternoon or evening when you’re more alert, or during a time when you’ve already been productive.
- You can also try showering right after waking up in the morning to get it out of the way.
- If you often struggle with sleep, a warm shower might be just what you need to relax and drift off.
- One perk of regular showering is less laundry, as your clothes and bedding won’t get dirty as quickly.
Warnings
- Dancing in the shower is fun, but be careful not to get too carried away and risk slipping.
- Don’t lock the bathroom door if you’re home with trusted family or friends, as no one will be able to help if you accidentally get hurt.
