Today we dedicate ourselves to the 'sprinkling bath with water spraying in thin streams from a perforated bulb' or, more commonly called shower.
We will try to answer the questions we most often ask ourselves every time we put our feet on the shower tray.
WHY DO THE BEST IDEAS COME IN THE SHOWER?
THANK AUTOMATIC ACTIVITIES!
Strokes of genius occur when we are intent on performing automatic tasks, which do not require much mental effort, such as, for example, washing! This, like other activities, allows the unconscious to engage in associations between ideas and the prefrontal cortex (the decision-making centre of the brain) to relax and activate the default mode network, a neural network that works when we are busy resting. New connections are thus created that allow new solutions and ideas to be found.
In addition, in the shower we are not distracted by activities and objects (smartphones and texts/calls) giving the brain a chance to 'vent' and arrive at the insight we had hoped for hours before.
DOES TAKING A HOT SHOWER BENEFIT THE BODY? ABSOLUTELY!
- The warm water stimulates circulation and blood flow, loosens and relaxes joints, tendons, tissues and muscles;
- Steam cleanses the skin. Water and steam open the pores of the skin, releasing impurities and facilitating skin cleansing;
- The warm water jet relieves pain, whether due to a stiff neck or shoulder pain. 5/10 minutes and you will feel your muscles relax;
- Reduces stress and insomnia. the hot shower is considered a natural sedative, calming the body, mind and nerves.
A SHOWER A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY? NOT AT ALL...
Scientific research shows that frequent washing, especially with excessively hot water, excessively dries out the skin, depriving it of the 'good' bacteria that naturally exist on our bodies.
In addition, with excessive dryness, the skin is more easily at risk of abrasions, which can easily cause infections.
Parabens (preservatives found in shower gels and shampoos), chemicals and perfumes act aggressively on our skin, paradoxically making us more prone to dermatitis and eczema.
Showering every day, therefore, becomes harmful because it removes the protective film on the skin that protects us from bacteria, maintaining the natural balance of the dermis. By eliminating it and trying to rebuild it with creams and moisturising products, you are more likely to grease your skin and thus dirty it much more easily.
The ideal? Shower every 2-3 days!
ARE THERE THINGS TO DO OR NOT TO DO IN THE SHOWER? YES AND THEY ARE DIFFERENT!
- Rub your feet: this is a safe method to avoid fungus and bacteria.
- DON'T hang your sponge in the shower: it is full of dead skin cells, which, in a humid environment such as the shower, leads to the growth of bacteria.
- DON'T wipe too eagerly: avoid vigorous rubbing or air-drying. Ideally, use a cloth and pat the skin gently to avoid cracking and dry skin.
- DO NOT wash your hair every day: washing hair every day is an unhealthy habit for our hair. it is sufficient to wash it once or twice a week.
- Use moisturising cream correctly: do not wait until you are completely dry to put on moisturising cream. This is a procedure that needs the skin moist, not completely dry.
- DO NOT take showers that are too long: the ideal shower duration is 5 to 10 minutes, the ideal time to prevent the skin from drying out too much.
- DON'T just use boiling water: A habit we should all acquire in the shower is to finish it off with a jet of well-cold water for about 30 seconds. The benefits of this are many: better stress tolerance, strengthening of the immune system and improved fat-burning capacity.
