“Everything showers” have taken over social media, with users sharing elaborate procedures that involve scalp massages and treatments, dry brushing and exfoliation, and both hair and face masks. However, a new opposing trend known as “nothing showers” is making its way across the platform, with TikTokers sharing how they take a nothing shower only for their mental—not physical—wellness. In The Know spoke with a mental health expert on whether or not hot baths help with mental health.
An everything shower is one that includes a variety of body, skin, and hair beauty treatments. It treats the entire body, from head to toe, and makes one feel physically better after entering the shower. TikTok users show off their all-over cleansing and moisturizing shower procedures. “Keep everything hydrated, inside and out—something my grandma used to say—and she knew,” @soul_snatcher_11 joked.
A nothing shower is more concerned with mental well-being
Some people’s everything shower routines include working out and even taking nutritious supplements before even touching water on their skin. “I’m literally the same; it’s a whole day event,” @jdcurreri observed. While respecting its physical foundations, you can call an everything shower an act of self-care. A nothing shower, on the other hand, is more concerned with mental well-being. According to TikTokers who report taking one, there are no restrictions on a nothing shower; however, users believe that the benefits of a nothing shower include a chance to clear the mind with no actual focus on purifying the body.
Mollie Fraser (@__mull) describes the nothing shower as a “spiritual cleansing” rather than a physical one. “Need to rinse off the day and just stand there,” she added. TikToker Alexandra Simpson (@alexandra.r.simpson) even admits that her nothing shower doesn’t even involve cleaning any part of her body. “They aren’t called nothing showers for nothing,” she quips in her video.
Melissa Miller, a FOLX Health clinician and mental health expert, told In The Know by Yahoo that there could be a link between taking a hot shower and “grounding” during times of worry or despair. “The ultimate goal of grounding is to reorient to the present moment and not get lost in thought or emotion,” Miller added in a statement. Focusing or directing attention to anything else can serve to ground or distract.
As individuals continue to associate relaxation with hot showers, the more they will condition their minds to associate showering with relaxation
“In helping people cope with intense anxiety or panic, [dialectical behavior therapy]-style therapists aim to help people develop and implement a set of self-soothing techniques and skills,” Miller said. “Many times, self-soothing skills are focused on the use of the five senses as a grounding anchor.” In this scenario, listening to a favorite song stimulates the hearing sense, while using a favorite soap stimulates the sense of smell, and taking a hot bath or shower stimulates the sensation of touch. Using as many of the five senses as possible at the same time can assist people in combating physical feelings of anxiety.
“Overall, I think there is a lot of validity and real-life experience that demonstrates how and why hot water is soothing to our bodies and minds,” Miller added. “Additionally, as individuals continue to associate relaxation with hot showers, the more they will condition their minds to associate showering with relaxation.” “Box-breathing is a technique that is proven to relax the mind and improve concentration in the present moment,” Miller said. “1. Breathe in for a count of four. 2. Hold that breath for a count of four. 3. Breathe out for a count of four, and 4. Hold your breath for the count of four. Repeat one to two more times or until calm.”
Some other exercises may also include the following:
- Drinking a large glass of cold water
- Holding or eating an ice cube
- Taking a cold shower
- Doing a body scan meditation
- Counting backwards from 100 by 3s
- Snapping a rubber band on your wrist
