Make Showering Your Personal “You Time”
Self-care please!
Self-care is definitely something you need to make time for. And there’s nothing quite like spending some of that time with yourself, your thoughts, and your body in a hot, steamy shower.
Most people jump in and out of the shower like a chore, cleaning themselves, washing their hair, shaving their legs as quickly as possible. However, you can turn your shower into the ultimate pampering station.
After all, there are two different types of people in the world. Some prefer to lounge in the bathtub, reading books, sipping wine, and taking in the aroma of scented candles until their arms and legs begin to look like prunes. Others would rather shower. They view it as more hygienic and a little more efficient.
Even though it does take less time to shower than to take a bath, there’s no reason why you can’t turn it into a pampering experience, filled with self-care activities. How, you ask? Let’s explore some ways to make your shower experience your own personal “me time” haven!
It's All About Self-Care
Why is self-care important? As the quote from fashion designer and icon Diane von Furstenberg goes, “The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.”
You need to have that “me time” in order to reflect, soothe, and grow.
Whether you’re taking a break from your significant other, your kids, your pets, your roommates, or whoever and whatever else you need a breather from, this is the time to indulge in some much-needed self-care.
According to the experts, self-care is good for your mental health, it can boost your self-esteem, and it can even connect to your emotions and your sense of spirituality, whatever it may be. You need to take that time to yourself, so why not spend it in the shower?
Don’t think of it as multitasking (cleaning and centering yourself at the same time), instead, consider it as a way to pamper and take care of your whole self. Disconnect for a bit and lose yourself in the steamy bliss, as your cares melt away (at least for the moment)!
Set the Mood
Make “you time” special! Before you get into the bathroom and turn that water on, the first thing that you need to do is set the mood. You need the entire spa experience from start to finish, including the ambiance. There’s nothing like a relaxing atmosphere to spend time unwinding in.
Sure, you could always leave everything in your bathroom as it normally is, but where’s the fun in that? Take the time to get everything set up properly. If you love candles, light them. If you love wine, pour it. If you love music, find your favorite Spotify station! It’s your time, so anything you say goes.
Create Some Ambiance
Not sure where to start? Turning your bathroom into a spa is a fairly easy endeavor once you know what you’re looking to accomplish. And the best part is that it doesn’t have to require spending a lot of money. Small things make the difference, like a gilded mirror, a cool shower caddy, and even some plush rugs and oversized soft towels.
There are a number of other things that you can do to adjust and perfect your spa-like ambiance, so here are a few things we’re happy to share.
Lighting
Lighting matters! Your bathroom probably has standard utilitarian fixtures, such as those above the vanity and over the shower. This bright light has a purpose, like waking you up in the morning and helping you keep the space clean since you can see every little stray hair. The problem is that it doesn’t do much for your relaxing “me time” ambiance.
Consider putting your lights on a dimmer or finding additional frosted shades to cover them with in order to create a place to relax.
Candles
In addition to lighting, there are also candles. Who doesn’t love a good scented candle? Arrange some on the edge of the tub or on the vanity if you can do so safely (setting your shower curtain on fire won’t quite help you relax).
Choose some relaxing scents, like lavender or ylang-ylang. A mix of fresh or flowery scents can help create the atmosphere that you want the most. Simply dim the lights or turn them completely off, light your candles, and enjoy!
Music
Cue the music. If you really want the spa experience, set some of your favorite soft tunes. While many spas choose simple tunes designed to induce a state of relaxation, you can play anything you want. If ACDC relaxes you, then go for it! Pick whatever songs you want.
Remember, the goal is to design a place where you can be yourself and spend some introspective time.
Pamper Yourself
What do you love most? Once your ambiance is set and you’re ready to disappear into the shower for a little “me time,” you have some additional options to put together for the self-care spa experience of your dreams.
Gather a few pampering products and place them in your shower, so they’re ready to go when you are. Then slip right in for a few moments of quiet bliss!
Shower Steamers
Ever heard of a bath bomb? They add some scent and color to a bath as they dissolve, and many have additional properties, like moisturizing and relaxing the muscles. Clearly, bath bombs aren’t made for the shower, but shower steamers are! Designed to add scent and a little steam to the air, shower steamers dissolve when the stream of water hits them.
While they may not be as moisturizing as a bath bomb and you certainly won’t be sitting in a pool of colored water, a shower steamer can definitely add to your overall spa-like experience. You’ll feel as though you’re no longer in your own bathroom as you soak up the relaxing aroma and steam of your new shower buddy!
Scented Shower Gels and Exfoliants
If there’s one thing that solidifies the full spa experience, it’s scented shower gels and exfoliants. Have you ever been to a spa that has a number of baths available, all with a different scent theme? This is what you’re trying to recreate.
Choose a lovely sugar scrub for a little physical exfoliation, as well as some coordinating (or contrasting, the choice is yours) shower gels or soaps. They’ll leave you feeling as squeaky clean on the outside as you feel on the inside.
Shampoo and Deep Conditioner
We can’t forget the shampoo and deep conditioner. While both are fairly standard shower products, using them after you soap up and exfoliate will not only complete the bathing process, but also give you a little bit more time under the warm water.
If you have dry or combination hair, a deep conditioner can do wonders, as well as provide you with a little time to meditate, or simply explore your body.
Use that deep conditioner after you shampoo your hair, and you’ll emerge looking and feeling better than ever!
Meditations
Meditation can truly take your “me time” to the next level! So, while you’re enjoying your warm, soapy shower, feel free to do a few quick meditations. You can pick a phrase to focus on, or follow through with your existing meditation practice, just in a different setting.
A little quiet reflection and focus might be just what you need to relax and rejuvenate.
Post-Shower Routines
Let the party continue! There’s no need to stop the pampering after you’re done with your shower. Why not enjoy a few more minutes of “me time” with some extra post-shower treatments? There are several things that you can do in order to extend the experience and take some additional time for yourself.
Feel free to lather on a face or body mask, indulge in a silky moisturizer, or even just take a moment to let your body be naked and free. The end result will leave you feeling even more relaxed than you were before.
Fluffy Robes and Towels
Everyone loves soft, fluffy robes and towels! Although you don’t need to spend a lot of money to turn your shower time into a spa experience, there’s a few things that you shouldn’t skimp on – your robes and towels. Go to a high-end store and pick the fluffiest ones that you can afford. Look for real cotton, not a poly blend, and choose a few good options.
When you get home, hide them if you need to in order to keep anyone in the house from using them. After all, these are your personal pampering tools, reserved just for you!
Moisturizer
Once you’re wrapped in your fluffy towel or robe, apply a nice, fairly thick layer of moisturizer to your entire body.
If you like, pick one that smells nice (unless you have scent allergies or sensitivities, of course) and lather it on. Sit and relax (if possible) in the bathroom while it sinks in. Finish your glass of wine or whatever makes you happy.
This gives you a few extra minutes to yourself. Plus, you’re giving your skin a little extra TLC which it always enjoys. There’s nothing like being extra indulgent!
Face and Body Treatments
While you’re waiting for that moisturizer to sink in or are just prolonging your spa-like shower experience, take the time to treat yourself with a few face and body treatments. Apply a face mask or complete a butt facial in order to capture smooth, glowing skin… all over!
You just spent quite some time resting your mind, so why not complete the experience on the outside of your body as well?
In Conclusion – The Shower is a Great Escape
Showering has never sounded so enticing, has it? Turning your shower into a little haven of personal “me time” is entirely possible – and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune. You just need some pampering self-care products, as well as the right ambiance, in order to set the mood.
Once you have everything in place, your shower will be the recharging self-care station that you’ve been craving.
So, turn the water to hot, get steamy, relax, and enjoy your own personal “me time.” You are beautiful, and you deserve it!
Sources:
https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/turn-your-shower-into-a-spa-retreat
https://www.networx.com/article/get-some-me-time-in-your-bathroom
https://www.wellandgood.com/relaxing-spa-like-shower-products/