Mindfulness simply means to be in the present moment, not letting your mind wander to things that have happened or could happen. Be right here, right now. Despite its simplicity, mindfulness has been found to have some amazing benefits for our mental wellbeing and stress levels. It’s a prompt to break the cycle of worry and just be.
Keeping on top of stress and switching your mind off like this doesn’t need to be complicated. You can turn parts of your everyday routine (so things you’re already doing) into a mindful moment. That way, it’s easier to do regularly and you’ll really feel the benefits.
Having a mindful shower is one way I practice mindfulness. Let me show you how.
How showers can wake us up in the morning
A cold shower is a refreshing way to start the day. It properly wakes you up. The coldness cools down your body tissue and your bodily systems respond to this. Some of the bodily functions set off by the coldness help with your physical health like circulation, metabolism and immunity. Others help with your mental wellbeing including boosting your mood and focus.
You only need to be under cold water for a couple of minutes. Deep breathing will help you manage any discomfort and support mindfulness. Just focus on your breathing and how the water feels on your skin.
You can enhance the benefits of a cold shower with essential oils. Certain essential oils work through the limbic system in the brain to wake you up. They stimulate your nervous system and other bodily responses so you’re awake, alert and focused.
I’ve formulated an essential oil blend for this very purpose. Use the Refresh & Uplift shower gel followed by the matching body oil. Always hold the product up to your face and take three deep breaths before applying to help the aromas reach your brain faster. You’ll find yourself feeling more switched on and in the present moment by the end of your shower.
How showers can help us wind down at night
On the other hand, warm showers can be really relaxing when it’s time to wind down. It’s helpful to have as part of your evening routine because it can become a signal to the brain that it’s time to switch off. A shower can feel like a way to wash off the stress of the day. There’s more to it than that.
Studies have found that a warm shower can aid sleep because it triggers the temperature regulation we need for a good night’s sleep. The warmth also supports muscle relaxation, lowers blood pressure, aids decongestion and other physical aspects that make mindfulness, calm and sleep easier.
You can amplify the relaxing benefits of showers with essential oils too. Once again, working through the limbic system of the brain, certain essential oils help to slow bodily responses down. It can take us from the intensity of fight or flight mode to the floatiness of rest and digest mode. Also, over time, it creates a scent memory so whenever you smell the essential oil aromas you use before bed, your body will know it’s time to wind down.
Use the Relax & Unwind shower gel to start the process of switching off the mind and body. Then follow up with the matching body oil to relax even deeper and envelop yourself in the soothing aromas for the night. Any stress and tension will have melted away by the end of your shower.
Bonus mindfulness tip
Trying to focus your mind on the present moment and not get carried away in thought is easier said than done. Essential oils definitely help because of how they influence our stress response. Another way to influence your brain’s reaction is through bilateral music. You can find clips of this online.
Bilateral music includes sounds that alternate between the left and right ears. As it engages both sides of the brain separately, it supports communication between both sides and this has an effect on how we process stress, trauma and the events of the day. Instead of feeling tense or worked up about it, we’re grounded and calm.
Add this to your shower routine as well. You’ll have to do it before or after you hop in the shower because you need to listen to bilateral music with headphones so it can alternate between the ears. Walking has a bilateral calming effect too as I explain here.
You see, self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to work. There are simple things we can bring into our routines to centre ourselves – a shower, essential oils, and bilateral movement and music. Sprinkle these into your everyday and you’ll find yourself feeling less overwhelmed and stressed. Pick up the essential oil bath/shower gel and body oil duos and browse the rest of our essential oil infused products as tools to help your body and mind relax.