Blow away the January blues with Mindful Showers
It’s low January and Christmas now behind us and seems like a long time ago. We are now faced with Vegan and Dry January, diets and all the other new year resolutions. It’s no wonder we’re left feeling a little low and down especially when we look out of the window and dark cold and gloomy weather is hanging about.
Januarys like getting back off a great holiday and work, money and cold weather all looming, all you can think is what a great time you had and you want to go back.
It can be quite serious. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes called ‘winter depression’, is a type of depression that can leave sufferers feeling extremely listless and lacking in energy.
How can we lift our mood and get back into sync? 
What if I said there is a quite simple way to feel good and doesn’t involve heading to the spar and spending more to add insult to injury.
How about you give this interesting solution a go, you can do it at home in the shower.
The Mindful Shower
One way to lift your spirits instantly is through the practice of mindfulness.
Essentially, mindfulness is a simple form of meditation. It encourages you to quieten the relentless ‘noise’ of your mind, by focusing on the moment, where better than in the warm steamy shower.
It’s the perfect place to practice mindfulness and here’s how.
You don’t need your phone so it’s good to leave it in another room. You don’t want any distractions.
You need to prepare Instead and focus simply on the enjoyment of taking a shower.
How to take a mindful shower
Start by laying out your fluffy towel close by, you can leave it on a radiator that’s even better so it will be nice, warm, and cosy.
Take some time to consider what you will need i.e. nice smelling soap, exfoliating creams, hair shampoo when you step out of your shower what smell would you like to linger?
Remove clothing, pay attention to each item you take off and be aware of buttons textures zip’s this is your mindfulness.
A little cleansing trick
When you are ready and all is in place, as you step into the shower enclosure, take a moment to adjust the temperature does it feel comfortable?
Just breathe in and count ten breaths in and out, as you do so, notice the way the water feels as it runs down your body.
Steam enters your nose and heads to your lungs clearing all your sinus tubes on the way, then push all the steam back out as you exhale.
If you find your mind wandering, just bring it back to your breathing the here and now. Take the time to wash your body in a caring loving way. Thinking about how you love your skin and want to care for it, you can say it out loud. I love my hair and giving it some TLC a little massage on your head will go a long way to unwinding as you apply shampoo. 
Then after conditioner does the same feel the silkiness of your hair as you give it love.
For men, there are just as many products and just as relaxing.
Don’t forget to keep counting to ten while you smell and enjoy the fragrance and perfume breathing in and out again for the relaxing and good feeling.
Whenever you feel ready, step out of the shower. You should feel a refreshing sense of calm and relaxation.
Enhance your shower experience with aromatherapy
Another way to make your shower a more rejuvenating experience is to indulge your sense of smell and luxury. Washing with soap or shower gels scented with soothing essential oils is one option. Mint is refreshing while lavender will help you sleep and relax.
Eucalyptus 
A fresh piece of eucalyptus out of your garden. It works wonders in the shower! You simply tie it to the showerhead and let the hot water cascade down over the leaves as you shower. Soon the cool, fresh fragrance of eucalyptus will fill the shower enclosure, giving you your very own spa experience! Again, focus your mind on your breathing, taking a deep breath in and out as you enjoy the soothing scent. Just what you need for clearing your head and getting your day off to an invigorating start.
Some interesting information about eucalyptus
taken from a medical report. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10884
A eucalyptus vapour bath may relieve symptoms of a cold or flu.
It has been shown to reduce:
- Nausea
- Pain and body aches
- Anxiety, agitation, stress, and depression
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Muscular aches
- Headaches
- Circulatory problems
- Menstrual problems
- Menopausal problems
- Alopecia, or hair loss
Some types of psoriasis may find relief with aromatherapy, but a healthcare professional should advise about use and application and an allergy test is recommended.
Sea Salt 
Sea salt is so good for your skin there are some amazing products available with different scents and oils added. Rubbing gently with a buff brush or a nice hand glove will exfoliate all your dead skin and open’s pores encouraging good blood circulation a double whammy.
‘If Music Be The Food Of Love’
Well, let’s enjoy music mindfully at least.
If you listen to music in the shower, it’s all too easy to let the sounds wash over you without really paying attention. But, focusing more closely on what you’re hearing can really lift your mood.
Put your favourite song and step into the shower. As the music starts to play, close your eyes and slow your breathing down. Listen to the words and meanings of why was this song was written or this piece of music. See if you can pick out individual elements of each track. Wich part of the song music do you identify with for instance. Try singling out the drums, then the bassline, then the guitars, brass or the melody. Think about how each element makes you feel. What emotions are you feeling, is it happy making you feel good? Do you want to sing along?
The Rain Forest
Turn the shower on slowly. Notice the sounds the water makes as it releases from the showerhead and sprays down onto the shower tray, imagine a water hole in the forest and your there in the water feeling the sensation of water pouring on your skin in the warm heat. faster and faster as you turn up the pressure. If you can, remove the showerhead does that make the sound louder? Does it remind you of rain? How does that make you feel? Can you turn the heat off a little and experience colder water on your face like those days when you were caught out in the rain.
Spend a few minutes just listening, lost in the sound of the ‘downpour’, breathing in and out slowly and enjoying this amazing time or reminiscing a past experience.
Whichever you decide enjoy your beautiful shower!
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