Bliss in the Mist

You may think of a soak in the bath as a wellbeing holy grail. It’s relaxing, soothing and time just for you. But baths require a lot of water (and patience to run them), so you might reserve them for an occasional treat. It turns out, a quick and efficient shower could provide just as much of a self-care boost, if you do it right.

Wellbeing experts agree that taking small bursts of time for yourself every day can make a big difference. “Small moments are what it’s all about, they all add up,” says Margo Marrone, a homeopath and natural health specialist. “Showering is a great opportunity to feel good: no phone, no talking, nothing but you, the water and your thoughts.”

It starts with how you view it. Stop thinking about showering as a brisk must-do and start looking forward to it as a me-time moment that can help you turn inward. Whether you want to feel energised for the day ahead or soothed for a good night’s sleep, your shower can do it all. Read on for our top tips to help you transform your daily habit into a self-care ritual.

Treat your Skin

Many shower products are now formulated with ingredients you’d once only find in your skincare routine, meaning your daily wash can actively support the health of your skin barrier. Hydrating heroes such as glycerin, ceramides and hyaluronic acid are increasingly appearing in body washes to help draw moisture into the skin while you cleanse, preventing that tight, stripped feeling traditional soaps can cause. You’ll also spot niacinamide, vitamin C and gentle exfoliating acids like lactic or salicylic acid in some formulas, designed to smooth rough patches, brighten tone and keep pores clear. Plant oils and botanicals, like oat, aloe vera, jojoba and shea butter, help calm irritation and replenish lipids that keep skin soft and resilient. Choosing a well-formulated shower product means your skincare routine starts the moment the water hits your skin. Try Naturium The Glow Getter Multi Oil Body Wash ($32, Sephora), a silky oil-to-gel cleanser packed with oils, squalane and glycerin.

Cleanse Negativity

For some spiritual guides, showering goes beyond simply keeping clean. “The shamans in Ecuador and Peru use a shower as part of a spiritual and energetic cleanse,” Margo says.

“There, they use flowers with the power of water to rid the energetic body of negativity and stagnation. So, the next time you shower, think of it as not only cleaning the physical body but also the mind and energetic body.”

Use a fragrant body wash and, as the water flows over you, imagine that you’re releasing all negative thoughts such as anger, sadness and doubt. We love QED Skincare The Body Cleanser ($48, qedskincare.com), a rich cleansing shower gel with a variety of essential oil and fragrance-free blends to choose from. Our pick? Bergamot and Lavender, Mandarin and Jasmine, or Fresh Petitgrain and Rosewood. Lather, inhale and be instantly transported.

Day or Night?

The choice is yours. Morning showers can be longer as you might like to wash your hair, too, but keep your pre-bed shower a little shorter as too much heat can energise the body rather than relax it. Stick to one shower a day as over-washing can rob your skin of moisture.

Inhale Some Magic

Essential oils can help with all kinds of wellbeing glitches and allowing them to steam up your shower can be a great way to feel the benefits. “Simply add six to 10 drops of essential oil on a washcloth placed at the opposite end of the shower tray to where you’re standing and the water, steam and heat will help the oils do their thing,” suggests aromatherapist Glenda Taylor. “Breathed in, the tiny molecules of essential oil enter the bloodstream via the alveoli in the lungs.”

Here are Glenda’s picks for some super-effective essential oil remedies to:

CLEAR A COLD: Eucalyptus and myrtle

Eucalyptus instantly clears a bunged-up nose, but once the “hit” has passed, there’s nothing to support it. Back it up with myrtle; soothing and a little slower at opening those airways, the perfect combo to ease congestion.

Try: Endota Breathe Essential Oil ($30, endotaspa.com.au), featuring eucalyptus, lemon and lavender to help open your airways and boost relaxation.

FIGHT FATIGUE: Peppermint and grapefruit

If you’re showering in the morning, this duo is super uplifting. Peppermint can both warm and cool the body as needed, making you feel more comfortable in your own skin, which in turn makes you feel more energetic. Together, they can help to clear your head.

Try: Perfect Potion Certified Organic Peppermint and Grapefruit Essential Oils ($18.95, perfectpotion.com.au).

ENJOY RELAXING SLEEP: Yarrow and lavender

Yarrow features azulene, known for its painkilling properties, so if you have niggly aches, this is a great oil for winding down. Add lavender, which seems to wash the mind of all that night-time chatter, perfect for evening.

Try: Ikou Relax ($25.95, ikou.com.au), a 100% pure essential oil blend of lavender, neroli and orange, or Happy Myrtle Yarrow Essential Oil ($32, happymyrtle.com.au).

BONUS: “The essential oils also ensure that flannels stay clean as pretty much all of them are anti-bacterial,” says Glenda. “Dry them on a heated towel rail and the room will smell amazing even after you’ve rinsed them.”

Why Not Try a Midday Cleanse?

Who says showers need to top and tail the day? A quick midday shower could be your best bet if you’re feeling foggy, fatigued or creatively drained. Ideal if you’re working from home!

Breathe Away Stress

If you’ve had a tense day, or you predict a full-on day ahead, use your shower to reset. Begin by adding a few drops of frankincense essential oil to the base of the shower (don’t worry, used neat they’re not slippery). Thanks to its sedative properties, this oil can aid meditation and soothe frayed nerves. We like Oil Garden Frankincense Pure Essential Oil ($52.99, oilgarden.com.au).

Turn on the water and let the fragrance rise. Step away from the water and breathe deeply for a while: in for three seconds, hold for four, then exhale for five. Repeat until you feel calm. Enjoy the warmth of the water while still breathing in that controlled way. Turn off the spray and be still for a moment to come back to the room.

TIP: Try a shower bouquet. Instead of using shop-bought essential oils, you can pick fresh herbs and hang them in your shower – the heat and steam will help them release their amazing oils. Try rosemary to improve focus, memory and concentration. A fresh bunch will last for a couple of weeks of daily showering.

Think About Doing a Midday Cleanse

Who says showers need to top and tail the day? A quick early afternoon cleanse could be your best bet if you're feeling foggy, fatigued or creatively drained. Ideal if you're working from home!

Find Calm in the Cold

Turning your dial to cold, even briefly, can be great for easing anxiety. Set your shower to cold for 30 seconds, hold your breath and let the chilly water hit your face around the nose and nostrils. Afterwards, you should feel more relaxed and less angsty. It works thanks to the mammalian dive reflex: a primal response activated by cold water hitting receptors around the nostrils that signals we are about to dive and oxygen will be restricted. “This can cause your body to calm down, helping to slow breathing and anxious thoughts.” But it’s not recommended for those with heart problems.

If you have time, carry on the feel-good moments with some neck and shoulder stretches to iron out the kinks. Roll a bath towel lengthwise (warm is best) and put it around your neck, holding the ends with both hands. Lean back and arch your neck, holding it for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat five times.

Now place the towel around the front of your shoulders. While gripping the ends of the towel, place your fists in the small of your back as you move your elbows back and open your chest. Hold for a few seconds then release. Feel any tension ease. Repeat five times.