Article 19: Washing Away Stress and Immersing Yourself in Cleaning – Mindful Bathing and Emergency Cleaning Kit

There's a famous saying, "When all else fails, take a shower." That's great advice. Now, taking a shower in the evening is part of my routine, replacing peanuts and fried food. Soap bubbles and warm water relieve my stress better and longer than eating. If I feel like eating before showering, all those thoughts disappear after I'm done.

-Gil

Hydrotherapy originated in ancient Roman times. The Romans built bathhouses for bathing and treating physical ailments. Heat and water are two of nature's most powerful therapeutic agents. When combined, they effectively massage and relax the body.

Hot baths not only make people feel comfortable, but also have clinical benefits. The medical effects of hot baths have been confirmed by scholars. Type 2 diabetes patients who take a 30-minute hot bath six times a week show results within just ten days: weight loss, reduced insulin requirements, better sleep, and increased well-being.

Beyond the physical benefits, bathing is often easy to do. It also provides a private space to recharge, where few people will disturb you. However, many people fail to fully reap the benefits of a soothing bath because they bring their problems into the bathroom instead of examining them outside. These people can only cry in their private bathrooms; they use bathing to hide their feelings instead of washing them away.

If your situation is like this, then try a new way of bathing-mindful bathing.

Self-soothing techniques

Mindful bathing

Mindful bathing is taking a bath alone, letting go of all your worries.

As you wash your body, try to stop dwelling on worries and uncertainties in your mind. Instead, try to feel what your body is doing. Focus on the water droplets on your arms. Inhale the aroma of the soap suds. If you find your mind returning to daily stress, quickly bring your thoughts back to the present and focus on your bodily sensations.

Before you take a shower, add a few drops of soothing shower gel, bath salts, and essential oils. The foam, especially scented foam, locks in the fragrance. These bubbles can then transmit calming scents to the brain. The olfactory nerves are closely linked to the limbic system, the brain structure that manages emotions. This means that if you send pleasant scents to the brain, they are more likely to evoke comforting emotions.

If you're having trouble getting rid of your worries, visualization can be very helpful. When you apply shampoo to your hair, imagine that it will wash away your negative thoughts.

There are many ways to help us de-stress, especially when we're in water. Adopt a soothing habit: play the same music as before; after a bath, wear a soft, white bathrobe to relax.

Besides showering, you can also make a face shield. Pour hot water into a bowl, then place your face above the bowl, keeping a safe distance. Next, place a towel over your head, allowing the towel strip to slowly rise from the hot water, ensuring unobstructed breathing.

If it's noon and you can't take a shower, you can go to the bathroom and rinse your hands with warm water for a minute. Focus your awareness on the feeling of the hot water on your hands.

Immersed in cleaning

Most people think cleaning is a tedious chore. But scrubbing and organizing gives me a sense of relief. I have countless drawers to organize. It's a very creative process, and it also helps me get rid of thoughts about stuffed bread in the pantry.

-Jenna

Cleaning is meant to keep you busy, to give you a creative and rewarding task, to get your body moving and thus provide comfort. Note: This is not about cleaning an extremely tidy house or making everything in the room perfectly clean and orderly, but about immersing your body and mind in this energetic and beneficial activity.

Housework can be exhausting when you have a long list of chores to do, and you feel you have to finish them all or to please someone else. However, the cleaning tips discussed here are simply to help yourself. They're not about getting everything done or making the room spotless, but about helping you manage your food cravings.

Self-soothing techniques

Stress-free eating

Make an emergency cleanup kit. Searching for a cleaning sponge when you're trying to stop emotional eating can be incredibly frustrating.

Choose a small task, such as organizing a cabinet or drawer in your desk. If the area you plan to clean is too large, you may feel overwhelmed, which will make you feel worse.

Determine which cleaning task you prefer. Perhaps you hate cleaning windows but enjoy ironing clothes because you can stand up. Maybe you prefer quiet cleaning to using a vacuum cleaner (because it's too noisy). If you're a detail-oriented person, then scrubbing tiles is a good fit for you. Throwing a huge pile of laundry into the washing machine might not be for you.