At Clark University where I teach, I often field media request regarding mindfulness. I’m not sure who asked for this, where or if this contribution was ultimately published, but I thought I’d share with you my thoughts on the link between mindfulness and bathing.
- Tying a mindfulness practice to a daily (or frequent) habit like bathing or brushing your teeth is genius, because you will be more likely to stick to the new behavior. The linking of a new habit to an old, engrained routine is called “habit stacking.” Create new rituals out of this daily routine by adding aroma therapy with oils, candles, scented soaps or creams. Enhance your sensory experiences with brushes, bubbles, clothes, etc. Play relaxing music or tie bathing to a brief guided meditation using an app or simple deep belly breathing.
Other reasons why bathing is a good time to practice mindfulness:
2. Employing our senses—tools we always have with us—provides an avenue into mindfulness. When we bathe, multiple senses are engaged: sight, sound, smell, and touch. Slow down and really notice how each of these senses is engaged.
3. We are alone in isolation and so have the time and space for mindfulness practices.
4. The time/timing is right. Especially for beginners—the length of a shower or bath can be just right for a meditation or mindfulness practice.
5. Further, many find baths and showers relaxing. Therefore, we are naturally guided into mindfulness through bathing.
6. The bath can tie mindfulness with other practices that bolster the spirit, mental and physical health. It is a good time to show gratitude and appreciation for one’s body. Bathing can naturally link mind and body. Imagine cleansing away what you want to release and let go of from the day. It can also be a good time for breathing practices or for the ritual of positive self-talk or affirmations. (See Louise Hay’s mirror work toward self-love to employ in the bathroom mirror morning or night.)
7. Outdoor bathing—showers, hot tubs, sauna, sitting in the stream under the sun and pine trees (as we do at my retreats) provides another layer of health and wellness that the Japanese coined shinrin-yoku, aka forest bathing! There is a lot more to say about the science of forest bathing and outdoor bathing. So, stay tuned for another post on this topic alone.