Many happily skipping daily showers during the pandemic - Chicago Tribune
Category: Mental Health and Wellness
Via: perrie-halpern • 2 years ago • 71 commentsBy: Maria Cramer (chicagotribune. com)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
By Maria CramerThe New York Times| May 06, 2021 at 8:49 AM
Robin Harper, an administrative assistant at a preschool in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, grew up showering every day.
"It's what you did," she said. But when the coronavirus pandemic forced her indoors and away from the general public, she started showering once a week.
The new practice felt environmentally virtuous, practical and freeing. And it has stuck.
"Don't get me wrong," said Harper, 43, who has returned to work. "I like showers. But it's one thing off my plate. I'm a mom. I work full-time, and it's one less thing I have to do."
The pandemic upended the use of zippered pants and changed people's eating and drinking habits. There are now indications that it has caused some Americans to become more spartan when it comes to ablutions.
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Parents have complained that their teenage children are forgoing daily showers. After the British media reported on a YouGov survey that showed 17% of Britons had abandoned daily showers during the pandemic, many people on Twitter said they had done the same.
Heather Whaley, a writer in Reading, Connecticut, said her shower use had fallen by 20% in the past year.
After the pandemic forced her into lockdown, Whaley, 49, said she began thinking about why she was showering every day.
"Do I need to? Do I want to?" she said. "The act of taking a shower became less a matter of function and more of a matter of doing something for myself that I enjoyed."
Harper, who still uses deodorant and does a daily wash of "the parts that need to be done" at the sink, said she was confident she was not offending anyone. Her 22-year-old daughter, who is fastidious about bathing and showers twice a day, has not made any comments regarding her new hygiene habit. Nor have the children at her school.
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"The kids will tell you if you don't smell good," Harper said, "3-, 4- and 5-year-old children will tell you the truth."
Plumbing and upward mobility changed everything
Daily showers are a fairly new phenomenon, said Donnachadh McCarthy, an environmentalist and writer in London who grew up taking weekly baths.
"We had a bath once a week and we washed under at the sink the rest of the week — under our armpits and our privates — and that was it," McCarthy, 61, said.
As he grew older, he showered every day. But after a visit to the Amazon jungle in 1992 revealed the ravages of overdevelopment, McCarthy said he began reconsidering how his daily habits were affecting the environment and his own body.
"It's not really good to be washing with soap every day," said McCarthy, who showers once a week.
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Doctors and health experts have said that daily showers are unnecessary, and even counterproductive. Washing with soap every day can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry, though doctors still recommend frequent hand-washing.
The American obsession with cleaning began around the turn of the 20th century, when people began moving into cities after the Industrial Revolution, said Dr. James Hamblin, a lecturer at Yale University and the author of "Clean: The New Science of Skin and the Beauty of Doing Less."
Cities were dirtier so residents felt they had to wash more frequently, Hamblin said, and soap manufacturing became more common. Indoor plumbing also began to improve, giving the middle class more access to running water.
To set themselves apart from the masses, wealthy people began investing in fancier soaps and shampoos and started bathing more frequently, he said.
"It became a sort of arms race," Hamblin said. "It was a signifier of wealth if you looked like you could bathe every day."
Bathing less = better skin and a cleaner planet
Kelly Mieloch, 42, said that since the pandemic began she had showered only "every couple of days."
What is the point of daily showers, she said, when she rarely leaves the house except to run errands like taking her 6-year-old daughter to school?
"They're not smelling me — they don't know what's happening," Mieloch said. "Most of the time, I'm not even wearing a bra."
What's more, she said her decision to stop daily showers had helped her appearance.
"I just feel like my hair is better, my skin is better and my face is not so dry," said Mieloch, a mortgage loan closer in Asheville, North Carolina.
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Andrea Armstrong, an assistant professor of environmental science and studies at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, said she was encouraged as more people rethink the daily shower.
An eight-minute shower uses up to 17 gallons of water, according to the Water Research Fund. Running water for even five minutes uses as much energy as running a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And frequent washing means going through more plastic bottles and using more soap, which is often made with petroleum.
The individual choice to stop showering or bathing daily is a critical one to make at a time when environmentalists are calling on countries to take more action against climate change, McCarthy, the environmentalist, said.
"There is nothing like soaking in a deep, warm bath," he said. "There is pleasure there that I absolutely accept and understand. But I keep those pleasures as treat."
Still, Armstrong said, it would take a huge number of people changing their bathing habits to make a difference in carbon emissions. To make a real impact, local and federal governments have to invest in infrastructure that makes showering and water use in general less harmful for the environment.
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"It pains me to think of fracking every time I take a shower and use my hot water heater in the home," Armstrong said. "I'm in Pennsylvania. There is not much of a choice."
Social mores versus science
Despite the compelling science, it is difficult to imagine Americans as a whole embracing infrequent showers and baths, said Lori Brown, a professor of sociology at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
"We've been told so much about not smelling and buying products," she said. "You're dealing with culture. You're not dealing with biology. You can tell people all day that this is not doing any good for them, and there are still going to be people who say: 'I don't care. I'm going to take a shower.'"
Nina Arthur, who owns Nina's Hair Care in Flint, Michigan, said she had many clients who were going through menopause and were so uncomfortable that they felt they needed to shower twice a day.
"I've had women who are having hot flashes in my chair," she said.
One client was sweating so much, she asked Arthur to come up with a hairstyle that could withstand constant perspiration.
The pandemic has not swayed the bathing habits of such clients, Arthur said.
"When you have menopause, the smells are really different," she said. "They're not your normal smelling smells. I don't think there is any woman who would want that smell on them."
Arthur, 52, said she understood the environmental argument for showering less, but it would not move her to change her bathing habits.
"Nope," she said. "I'm not that woman."
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Rub a dub dub... what's going on in your tub?
We are talking about whom? The professional class who are married to their computers and even have their food delivered?
I guess some might say they stink, but I try not to do that.
Yesterday I got a distinct whiff of "old people smell".
While I was all alone...
That can be a traumatic moment in one's life, especially the old part.
It's hard to describe but you know it when it hits.
Ugh... Is that what I have to look forward to....
There are several scents that can cover up the smell of moth balls and formaldehyde. As long as you shave your ear hairs, getting older won't be offensive to others.
Lavender? Rose body creams? Coco-butter?
Baby wipes help a lot
Ask a kid. I'm pretty sure granny didn't know...
A lot of people dont shower every day anymore. In fact it is recommended by some skin specialists I believe.
www.msn.com /en-us/health/medical/why-showering-every-day-is-bad-for-your-health/ar-BB1fTCGg
Why showering every day is bad for your health
4-5 minutes Invalid Date
There's nothing better than taking a long hot shower or a relaxing bath to wash away the day's stresses and pamper your skin. But did you know that indulging in a daily shower or bath could actually be causing your body more harm than good?
While showering rejuvenates the skin, mind and provides a host of additional health benefits, such as increasing blood flow, ITV's This Morning resident doctor Dr. Chris has lifted the lid on why showering every day can actually be bad for your health. So before you pick up the best eReader to accompany you for the long hot soak in the bathtub, here's why you might want to skip your daily showering obsession.
"It can be harmful because the skin is densely populated with friendly bacteria," When it comes to highlighting why showering every day is bad Dr. Chris explained, friendly bacteria help to maintain healthy skin , he warned, "Having a shower every day can remove friendly bacteria."
And he's not the only one showing cause for concern. University publication Harvard Health pointed out that normally, healthy skin maintains a layer of oil and a balance of friendly bacteria and other microorganisms but washing your body on a daily basis it removes this barrier. Even the best eye creams and best moisturizers for dry skin will struggle to create friendly bacteria.
"Washing and scrubbing remove these, especially if the water is hot," Harvard Health explained. This can trigger a number of complications - one follows on from the skin becoming dry, irritated, or itchy.
The university publication further explained why showering every day is bad, "Dry, cracked skin may allow bacteria and allergens to breach the barrier skin is supposed to provide, allowing skin infections and allergic reactions to occur."
When it comes to explaining why showering every day is bad, another common issue is that antibacterial soaps can actually kill off normal bacteria and as a result, they can encourage more harmful organisms that are resistant to antibiotics. The publication added, "This upsets the balance of microorganisms on the skin and encourages the emergence of hardier, less friendly organisms that are more resistant to antibiotics."
Meanwhile, other warnings previously revealed why you shouldn't wash your face in the shower .
And Healthline reports that dermatologists only recommend a shower every other day, or two to three times a week.
If you shower too much it can lead to discomfort, and you may experience, itching dry, flaky skin, flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well as dry, brittle hair.
Showering and bathing less also has a positive impact on the environment as you will be using less water and saving money on your utility bill - especially if you are on a water meter as the Alliance for Water Efficiency estimates that the average shower lasts about 8.2 minutes and uses roughly 17.2 gallons of water.
But showering too little has negative effects too. It can trigger an imbalance of good and bad bacteria on your skin. Too much bad bacteria on your skin also puts you at risk for skin infections. This may lead to dermatitis neglecta, where patches of plaque develop on the skin due to inadequate cleansing.
Bathing also removes dead skin cells. So when you don’t bathe enough, these cells can stick to your skin and cause hyperpigmentation. Resuming good hygiene can correct this condition.
The best way is to listen to your body and skin, to find a balance that is both good for you and your health.
Okay, what this is 'sayin' without stating it clearly. . . wash your 'hot' spots without a full-on shower or bath? Or just take a spritz? (Yes, I am being serious to 'get this.')
This is true. Daily showering only became a thing in the 20th century.
That is a sure fire way to stay single.....
I don't shower every day any more most days. When it's cold out - I only shower every other day - unless I've really worked hard or done a lot of walking and got all sweaty. In the summer time - when it's hot - if I've gotten all sweaty, I'll go ahead and take a quick shower on a daily basis.
Okay, eeewww. (I'd admit to showering later in the day at times, but its those 'instances' where I can't (LOL) remember if I showered or not. . . now those are the worse! And, I smile to myself as I take my 'daily' at bedtime.)
Now if I only had somebody to love me and squeeze me, I am pretty sure I could keep up with this better!
That's ok because we aren't sitting next to one another. That's why we love the internet.
Others may think you're cute. I don't.
That's a shame because i could see us being best internet friends. I was kidding, I really would hope you would be ok with that. I am sorry if i offended you.
Sorry for going off the handle. I realize it was supposed to be funny. Don't know why I have such a hair trigger temper over the silliest things.
Well, at least it's a good way to save water.
I take Sunday off.
We know...
Who said they smelled old man smell and they were alone? Hmmmmm???
I think you smell like roses.
It was too obvious a setup to pass up. Sorry!
Weeks old and moldering in stinky vase?
No need to be sorry. I laughed and tapped you back
Well, yeah, but hey, nothing beats dried out roses, right?
You know it's in the bible. "And on the sabbath, thou shall not shower".
Explains the no nookie on the Sabbath thang!
Moose Knuckles must be washed daily or they smell.
Yeah, I would say so.
Morning Moosey...plus you might get a nasty infection in there... can't have that..
Koalas don't have that problem..
Smells like sourdough yeasty rolls up in here...
So if roughly the same percentage of Americans did the same, let's call it 20% just to make the math easier, we have about 330 million Americans and about 70 million Brits. So 20% of 400 million is 80 million at least skipping a shower every other day and the average shower uses about 17 gallons of fresh water which means we could be saving around 1.4 billion gallons of clean drinking water every other day due to a rather small change in daily habits.
If I got to stay home during the pandemic I probably wouldn't have showered ever day, either
How about brushing the teeth? A mask is a 'concealer' of (good/bad) mouth hygiene. To be clear, I do my 'pearlies' whites every morning and night. (Nope, not at lunch time.)
Brushing the teeth daily is a must
Don't skip brushing your teeth. Not taking a shower every day won't increase your risk for hypertension and heart disease but poor oral hygiene can. If your gums are bleeding from teeth covered in plaque that bacteria from your teeth can get in your blood stream and cause many serious heart conditions over time.
Unless you want to look like your English.
Now, that's instructive. I have a crown replacement that I have been 'caring for' since 2020, but neglecting to get redone as a matter of principle. I guess I had better get over myself and 'gone' and get it fixed as a matter of good health.
Does it smell? Toof issues can smell sometimes.
Nope. I have great mouth hygiene (Listerine: Gum Therapy.) And yes, it probably is one of the dumbest things I have ever done to myself as a point of principle . I got really angry that my crown did not last for life: gee whiz, they told me that crowns have no nerves left and I thought it would be a once and done! Just goes to show you that sometimes to take action you really have to interact with others on a matter— will take for action immediately .
(Yes, I have been told by my regular dentist that it needs work, but I, well you know
.)
Morning CB..ahh not much point hanging on to a point of principle if you are six foot under..all from a tooth...
Bite the bullet and go and get it fixed.. nothing lasts forever, including us...
I will. I have already begun to take action towards getting my appointment setup. Thanks guys—Especially DP!
I shower every Saturday whether I need to or not...
Well, if you're not doing it the rest of the week, I would say you need it.
Perfume, Deodorant, cologne etc. do not cover up bad odors from people who don't bath regularly. Onions and rose petals do not smell good together.
I just found a french recipe that mixes those two together.
I've gone as long as 2 days (Sat & Sun) without a shower. It's rare, though. I'll normally shower at least one of those days.
Don't worry. I won't tell anyone if you skip both.
Orianne Cevey claims Phil Collins didn’t shower or brush his teeth for almost an entire year. Picture: Getty Images.
That would be too much to ASK for me to handle, I would have been dropping 'hint' bombs all around the premises. Nature-natural? . . . no 'sir,' get your butt in the tub or else.
LMAO!!!
Sounds like the man wants/needs a divorce to me.
He was advised by his attorney not to shower so she would file first?
That explains this song....
Great theme song for the topic.
It's a great song. Phil is a great man. But, nuh-uh on the lack of bedroom etiquette!
I am trying to remember the first star I heard did something like this (no shower); was it Guns and Roses lead singer? The star performer did an 'experiment' and lived life raw for a month performing and letting women into his 'life' without bathing. And he dared tell about it. Can't remember his name right off. Anybody know the 'story'? I am trying to find it. . . .
Now I have to look that one up!
It was slash who didn't bath regularly and he wore the same leather pants for an entire tour.
I was shocked and disgusted that he would have such arrogance. The smells 'overlapsing' each other. . . ugh. Even worse, . . . what if you couldn't quite place what the issue was?
Ewww. I think we just discovered Covid19’s true ground zero.
I'm calling 'em out today. Some of these people will stink, but a mask covering 'forgives' quite a bit of stench! Viva la Masque!
Hell no, I'm not even human till I've had my morning shower.
I've had to go several days to a couple of weeks without a shower due to ops or exercises, I hate it and am ready to crawl out of my skin by the end
I know the feeling too! I love my 'water-works'; but, I can try a spritz and a shorter period and 'scrub-down' if it helps me overall! All and all, it's a good article! On the flip-side, the married folks have some 'considerations' with their 'parts' to manage. . . . (Smile.)
I worked from home for several years prior to retirement. I dealt with East Coast and foreign countries so had a very varied work schedule. I usually showered every other day, in those days there was no zoom meetings only voice. I showered daily when I was on a work trip. I have been retired for 8 years this May and kept every other day shower unless I have worked up a sweat. My skin and hair seem healthier with less showering, but I could never go more than 2 days.
When I was working, a shower first thing every morning was typical for both wake-up and cleanliness, now once every few days is too often. Even then, we only have a shower (which is typical here except for wealthy people) and I run it to wet myself, then turn it off, soap myself, turn it on to wet my hair and then off, apply shampoo and massage head, then shower on again only long enough to wash off all soap and shampoo. I do my best to save both water and gas (water heater) because utilities here are expensive.
All of my adult life, I was a every morning shower guy. COVID and an extended illness changed that.
I spent two months in a hospital with the first five weeks pretty much bedridden. I had a wonderful caregiver that gave me a sponge bath most mornings, She would come in early, before the morning rounds, and turn up the room temperature, set the lights very low and used several heated antibacterial wash clothes. Kalisa had beautiful voice and would softly hum or sing while caring for me. It was a relaxing, peaceful start to what otherwise might be a trying day of tests and treatments.
After that and two more hospital stays, I was very week and even wife my wife's help and a shower chair, I only managed one shower a week and typically took a nap after it. With a compromised immune system, I still work from home. I no longer have any difficulty showering but only take one twice a week. When it gets hot this summer, I might increase the frequency to follow long walks outside.
I do treat myself to Savon Marseille olive oil soap (available on Amazon). It is both gentle on the skin but very effective cleaner. It makes an enormous lather that you can shave with (I don't do that daily either). My real luxury is a warm water bidet toilet. I learned to use one while living in Europe and it makes daily showers much less necessary. Greatly reduces the amount of TP used as well. If you get one, it will become a necessity.