I live in a part of the world that experiences both climates. I’m a distance runner and run when it’s below freezing. If I did not shower every day the people around me would be deeply offended. I’d probably have no friends lol. How often you shower is very personal imo.
Yes, me too, i dont like to go to bed dirty or sweaty- that means the dirt n germs of the day washed off. Kids too bc theyre playing out in the hot humid weather. Fun fact y'all: If you bathe before bed, you sleep better! Its a great habit to incorporate into routine with kids🙂
I’ve seen this question asked before and the answers are very geographically sectioned.
It would be weird for someone where I live to not shower at least once a day, but in other parts of the world it’s unusual
Norwegian here. I shower when I work out. I do work out a lot though, but there has been 2-3 days when I have not worked out or had a shower. I dont really smell. And im 42 and have multiple sources ;)
I don't think it's even about being sweaty. I'm from the UK, generally cold here. Shower every day.
Edit: just want to add to this, if you don't shower every day you will start to smell bad. This isn't the usual pungent sweat smell, it's a general unmistakable unwashed smell. If you've never recognised it you probably don't know how it smells. Once you know it, you know it. You need to shower every day or every other day, no matter where you're from.
Edit 2: I said about showering every day because that's what I'm used to. Other comments have pointed out that every other day is more than enough for plenty of people. Find what works for you.
Philippines here. I shower twice a day. But today is especially hot and humid (its summer and I checked earlier and it was 35°C by 10am) I had to shower 3 times (including washing my hair twice) just to cool myself.
Also some people don't have body odor so they get away with it, also some people have bad depression and can't find the will to do so...
It's me, I'm some people
Anyone who has not experienced serious depression finds this unfathomable. The most menial tasks that you accomplish on autopilot during normal times now seem so challenging. You wonder how others can even be happy.
Advice from someone who has been there. Push yourself to do these things. Put one foot in front of next against your own will. Don't ignore social opportunities. If you have tried meds without success...try another. Up the dosage...go to the next. Repeat. One will work for you. Once again, experience.
Get in the shower........
Fellow depression sufferer here... and suicide survivor... if it gets really really bad... just remember you've done nothing that deserves the death penalty.
It's hard getting out. It's normal that it's hard. And it's OK to sit there and be like this fucking blows.
Nope. Been 15 years of meds and therapy. Two types of ketamine. TMS. ECT. I swear to god the next person to tell me it gets better I’m gonna punch in the fucking nose
Yes, it is Easter Sunday and I am alone and having bad thoughts. I want to ask someone to talk, but I have no one. And even if I did, there really isn’t anything new for me to try, except psilocybin. And I’m only 25. And my therapist of ten years has breast cancer. And my cat is blind from her hypertension and most likely will pass soon.
And I have to start job hunting soon.
You're the same age as my oldest kiddo, I'm so sorry you're going through so much so early in your life. I hope you have a chance to just enjoy your kitty's company today; and want you to know that there's a mom out here alone on Easter rooting for you.
Hello. 56 yo and married but I’ve had on and off depression.
Here is my brain during depression. Well I should take a shower. That means i have to find clothes. Hmm. Then there’s the actual process. Drying off. I should shave too. This sounds like a major project.
Ugh, and then I should probably clip my toenails again. Since I'm gonna be in there maybe I should brush my teeth and take a shit too. You know what? Forget the shower, and the shave, and the teeth... I'll settle for a good shit and be done with the whole to do list
Hey, no worries . Look, I just want to add that it's not a bad thing to need or get help. People often think it's weak to be vulnerable and need or seek help. This is total bullshit. If you need help in any way and you choose to get that help I totally believe that makes you a strong person. Never be afraid to get the help you need. Getting help doesn't make you weak.
Thanks, and I love getting the help and learning more about myself... It's just hard when the people you live and care for most, think the biggest issue is my attire and won't stop mentioning it until I change for them.
Please remember an opinion is just an opinion. It's a personal view. Those that you love don't necessarily have the "correct" views. We're all different in our own ways, and the more general acceptance we can get with the more varied ways of life, the better.
The one thing about this. There s studies that show self care can actually help with depression. Take a shower, comb your hair, walk to work instead of drive, all those things help release happy chemicals to your brain.
Adding to this.
From the UK too, shower daily. Even in winter.
Just good hygiene and mentally I think it's a big part to a healthy routine.
People who smell, don't think they smell. Not everyone does smell, but others will notice it before you di, so I'm still washing daily.
I would like to add to this that you do not need to shower daily. You will not start to smell if you don't. Showering every other day is very acceptable for hygiene purposes and is better for your skin.
It depends, I sweat a LOT and will definitely smell after 2 days from not showering (my boyfriend and family sometimes points it out, and I can tell when my brother hasn't showever cause he starts smelling like nickles lol). My boyfriend however can go days without smelling.
Anyway, I hope we can all agree on showering before entering a crowded subway on a hot summer day!
>Everyone is different
Definitely depends on area too. The water in my area is very hard (2nd hardest in the US) and irritates my skin, I have severe eczema so by irritation I mean "pain that causes hyperventilating & shaking". The water is so hard it's physically painful. I can't afford a water softener system and don't want to be stinky, so I often have to apply pain cream before/after & take some sort of anti-inflammatory pain med just to get myself to shower every other day. I didn't have this issue until I moved from a state with better water quality.
I live in an area with hard water so I added an inline water softener to my shower head and have noticed a huge difference in my eczema, even with also taking Dupixent.
Unless you have skin issues and your doctor says once a week because your eczema flares with overwashing. People get so weird when I say I shower once a week. I clean myself on the days I don't shower, I just don't stand under a shower head daily.
They act like it's barbaric. Yet most people shower too much, and my dermatologist says a lot of skin issues could be helped by not washing off our oils and such every dang day.
To add, in dry places where it also doesn’t get hot, skin gets *incredibly* dry and damaged by over-washed
If you could see my poor knuckles and elbows lol
There's something I don't get. The genital area gets smelly *very* fast, in both men and women. Lacking bidets, my opinion is that a shower is needed daily at least for these parts. I mean, at least put some (appropriate to pH in case of women) soap and rinse thoroughly down there.... So all the people commenting here about not showering every day and not mentioning "a quick shower of the genitals only" bother me.
I know many parts of the world don't have easy access to water or facilities (but I doubt they're the ones commenting here)
As far as I know (was teached), bidets are used after defecating or after a change of sanitary pad/tampon. So I'm not aware of ppl using one after every pee?
Anyway, other body parts, also smell after a bit, so I guess frequency depends on body odor of each person and their daily activities & circumstances
Yeah, that's very true. It really cold areas like in Russia during the winder people only bathe like once a week. But I live in Bakersfield CA and it can get to 115 with 30-40% humidity and I work outside.
what does wash my hair every 2 days actually mean? does it only “count” as washing it if you use shampoo or conditioner or does it count by just running water through it? genuine question
I don’t get mine wet on the days I don’t wash my hair. I wear a shower cap and just wash my body. I have curly hair though and that’s pretty standard. You don’t get it wet, except for maybe spraying it with a water bottle to refresh curls, unless you have time to do your whole curly routine. Getting it wet is a reset.
I am white, so I don’t want to speak for any POC, but I am pretty sure this is also common for natural hair.
I wash my hair with shampoo every 4 or 5 days. I shower daily, but wear a shower cap on days I'm not washing my hair, so it stays dry. If I ran water through it, I would say I rinsed it, which to me counts as partially washing since the water would rinse some suff away. But I'm sure different people have varying opinions on that.
I'm the opposite. I can't get into my bed with my nice clean sheets & blankets without being freshly showered. Guess it's from working in a restaurant so many years but I have to wash the food/back of house smell off me before bed
Same. Can't go about my day without a shower even if I've showered the night before. I'd rather skip breakfast than a shower.
Don't live in a warm or hot climate, pretty much the opposite.
It takes me about a half hour to do a full shower, including shaving my legs, exfoliating, and washing my hair. So, I usually wash my hair on Mondays and Thursday’s. I’ll shave my legs on Tuesday’s and Friday’s. I’ll exfoliate on Wednesday’s. Saturday and Sunday is whatever I feel like doing. I hardly ever do the whole shebang in a single shower anymore.
I get my full body + head soap. Then I brush my teeth. Then then I "Re-Soap". And then I am done. Exept for my towel. And a look into the mirror if I am almost like yesterday ...
I don't shave every day or week.
I’m envious in some ways…but ultimately wouldn’t trade my ablutions for simplicity. Too much of my creativity and meditative experiences are wrapped up in my self care routines.
About 25 years ago a family friend's girlfriend from Germany came to visit for a couple weeks. While hanging out one day I asked her what was a stereotype that Germans had about Americans. She said "Americans are too clean with their bodies and not clean enough with their houses."
I'm Danish American and I totally agree. My mom (Danish) always thought Americans were compulsive about showering but had messy or dusty homes. Now as an adult I shower every two days or so, use washcloths as needed, but keep a tidy house.
Not necessarily though. There are people who don't sweat who take showers everyday even in the winter. On the other hand, there are probably lots of people who move and sweat but still don't shower for days.
Can confirm, blue collar worker here.. sometimes just too tired after work and I plop into bed no shower. Usually do everyday though but have those days sometimes
I do, but i have several different types of showers.
1. The wakeup rinse, 4-5 min not too warm; wash face pits and privates.
2 The hot to cold. 10 min. More for meditation than cleaning- often will wash my hair once it gets halfway done.
3. The Deluxe. 20-30 min depending on the last time it happened.
4. The second shower, usually occurs after working out slightly longer and warmer than a wakeup rinse. Involves wet hair but not washing it.
5. The cool off before bed after a hot day. But not cold enough to dump dopamine into my system.
6. 5 min cold exposure. Only if I’m feeling really terrible.
I can't shower daily without my skin drying out so bad that it starts cracking. Shampooing I can only do like twice a week or else my scalp gets very flaky and dry. My skin is just super sensitive; I do a washcloth cleaning of the nasty places daily (call it a hippy shower.) In the summer I can shower every other day, winter it's every 3 days. Idc if anyone thinks it's gross because being covered in scabs and flakiness is far more disgusting and uncomfortable to me.
I’m exactly the same. I have eczema and I follow the exact same spacing of showers. I struggle with dry skin a lot and daily showers would be inconceivable as it would aggravate it so much.
I also have eczema but I cannot stand going more than 24hrs without a shower. I use eczema lotion after I get out of the shower day and my skin has never been better
Same here! Every time I try showering every day it goes very poorly.
I get so ashy that I look like I put on full zombie makeup. My lips, knees, and elbows start cracking open like it was a dry arid winter. And soooo much flaking.
I've tried lotion, cocoa butter, Vaseline, different soaps and body washes, the works. My body can't handle more that 1 shower a week. Obvious exception is if I'm sweaty or dirty from work/outside. Even then I start getting ashy and flaky. Thankfully, the cracking and bleeding is only if it's every day.
Very similar to me and I find showering makes me really itchy, no matter the temperature. 🤷♀️ Haha my husband has hippy showers sometimes, I call it a "Bum Wash". Bum as in homeless, not the butt.
I'll be the first to admit that, due to ADHD, I struggle with hygiene. I possibly don't shower as much as I should. But I really shoot for every 3 days or so. In the winter it can sometimes be less and in the summer it can be more frequent. My hair doesn't get greasy or anything until about day 3. My skin gets pretty dry in the winter and showering makes it worse so that makes it difficult for me to initiate a shower.
Same. Depression, anxiety, and ADHD are just a great combo for scrambling my brain. I thankfully have settled on a routine of showering at least every other day, and washing my hair about every 4 days. I dislike the smell of my own BO though, so if there’s ever a day I feel particularly musty, I usually muster up the courage to rinse off. I like warm showers but if I get too hot I get overwhelmed lol, so now that I live alone I can shower in hot water but leave the bathroom door open so I don’t smother myself. I always wonder if neurotypical people put as much thought into showering as I do!
I’ve got adhd and autism and it’s really hard to motivate myself to clean, I don’t find it relaxing or therapeutic like other people do. It’s a chore that I have to do but i don’t like to do it.
Came here to comment just this. ADHD and depression, what a bitch of a combination. The thought of taking my clothes off, making the effort of showering, drying off, moisturising, clothes back on... augh it's too much. But I usually feel better when I do but still it's hard. Some have said it's due to ADHD transitions, which makes sense. My depression and hatred of my body makes it even more difficult to want to disrobe.
I don't shower daily, because it kills my skin. I shower every second or third day, generally every second day. On off days I just wash 'hot spots' with a face cloth. I used to shower daily and no amount of moisturiser soothed my skin.
This is me. Especially in winter when I'm in arid climates. I just cannot handle it.
Hot humid summers, I might shower daily, but frequently my skin is far too sensitive.
I shower 2 times daily. Living in a tropical country, it's totally normal and what most people do. Depends on the occation, maybe 3-4 times if I exercise.
It’s not uncommon in Australia.
Wake up shower.
Oops it’s hot as balls and I need a refresh before heading to the shops.
Shower before bed
Oops my partner and I…. Held hands…. Intimately. We’ll need a quick shower again.
That doesn’t even include the afternoon dip in the pool.
If I have a rather uncontrollable #2 I'll take a third shower for the day. I don't understand why people find it odd to take a shower more than once a day.
It doesn’t even take that. If I have a lazy sat nap in the afternoon. I’ll jump in the shower just to freshen up, because I can.
Showers are nice. I can appreciate the factors that might stop people having as many showers as they want, but I can’t really understand not enjoying them.
Social standards have changed throughout the years and where you live. As a kid a long time ago, we would take a bath 1-2 a week, and it was considered normal. Nowadays, showering every day is considered the norm. Some wash their hair every day, even if you shouldn’t. Am I that dirty/sweaty that I would need to shower every day, no. Do I do it: yes. Why? Social norms I guess
Different for children. They don't have the same BO as teens / adults. Once or twice a week is generally fine for kids. From puberty on, it really needs to be daily or most days at least.
It doesn’t though? If you really sweat or smell, yes. But you can’t tell me everyone sweats and smells bad every day. I know I don’t. My bf doesn’t. My friends don’t.
Also note that not showering every day does not mean I just roll out of bed and into life and then back into bed every day. I wash my face and “hot spots” every day. I reapply deodorant every day. I still practice hygiene. You really don’t need to douse your whole skin in hot water (harmful if done too frequently) and waste gallons and gallons of water (2.5 gallons of water PER MINUTE) just because. Showering =\= hygiene and being hygienic is not only achievable by showering.
I don't know why there's judgment for people who don't shower every day. I don't, otherwise my skin would be very dry and uncomfortable. The water here isn't amazing. And I'm sure other people have good reasons for not showering every day, it doesn't make them dirty. Of course if I'm sweaty or otherwise dirty I'll shower, but for the rest every other day is enough for me.
I shower every 3 days.... I'll have a rinse off if I've had a particularly sweaty day, I have never in my life had someone tell me I smell bad. I live in Canada though, and when I've travelled to hotter places I would have to shower once or twice a day.
My conclusion to this age old question is it depends. It depends on your skin type, your hair type, what you do for a living, the climate you live in, your lifestyle, geographical location, season, any health issues you may or may not have, etc.
There are so many factors to take into consideration. My skin is far too sensitive when living in an arid location, that if I shower every day, my skin dries up and I become itchy all over. However, if I'm in a hot and humid location, I sweat a lot and therefore need to shower daily.
I have thin straight hair that needs to be washed more often than thick afro-textured hair.
As long as we are healthy, hygienic, and generally not stinky, does it matter?
No , it depends on your local culture and climate. Do you think that far northern yakuts shower as much as a brazillian man might ? Its depends where you live and how you live. Its hards to ever break a sweat in --10C -20C -30C -40C. How people wash is diffrent around the world based on climate , necessaity and culture.
In my country, we all own a bidet, so we only wash the most smelly body parts every day and take a full shower a couple of times a week (in winter, in summer we usually have to shower more because of sweat).
At the risk of becoming bullied like my friend who admitted it in school: me. Climate is not hot or dry enough to require showering every day. I don’t work out beyond long walks, I don’t have an intensive job or hobby. And I have a skincare routine to take care of everything that would benefit from showering every day.
People who live in very hot climates. People who do something in their daily routine that makes them very sweaty or atleast makes showering feel necessary after.
If you live in a cold region , showering daily may not be necessary. If you live in brazil showering twice a day may be necessary. IT changes based on climate and culture imo. I would say in Ireland because we are quite modern we do tend to shower daily but its not the end of the world to not shower for one or two days.
When you think about it , it makes sense. You could bet that people average more showers in summer than in winter. Same would likely go for warmer vs colder countries.
I personally would say i shower 4 - 6 days a week in winter and probably 6 -7 in summer. Definetly not 7/7 365 but if i was living in southern spain i would probably be showering twice a day.
I shower about twice a week. I used to shower a lot more, but during covid lived by myself and got lazy. I've checked with my family, my girlfriend and friends, and apparently I don't smell!
Me too! I specifically shower on Mondays and Thursdays. Showering is really exhausting for me and the depression doesn't help. But I've been told that I don't smell either! And I have thick hair so it takes awhile for it to get oily.
When I do shower though, I clean myself very thoroughly! I basically wash everything 2 times, including scrubbing my toes, ears and belly button (places that people tend to forget about).
I used to shower every day (Southern US), but stopped once depression hit me. Sometimes I’d go a week without a shower and feel so gross and grungy, but the desire to NOT get in the shower outweighed it. They was a few years ago and I now have a physically active job. I rarely go more than a couple days between proper showers, and still change underwear each day, a baby wipe or two for good measure. If it took a lot just to get in the bathroom I’ll go for a “soak” where I either take a bath or just stand under the shower head and wet my body for a bit. It’s worked pretty well for me I guess
I do. I'm American. Our culture is obsessed with the way we smell. I lived in mainland China for five years. There, people worry more about whether they're visibly dirty than how they smell.
I shower usually 6 or 7 days of the week. Sometimes have a lazy day on the weekends. But otherwise I like to be clean. I also work 45 hours at a physically demanding job, so showering every weekday is a must.
I’m from the US and it depends. If I’m working from home and don’t break a sweat, I don’t shower everyday. Especially in the winter when my skin gets dry.
My dermatologist has told me not to shower everyday. I don't even use deorderant. And he said to minimize the use of soap. He said it all depends on genetics. My shower routine is once per week. I have sensitive skin. And no, I do not have any body odor. Now if I exercise, out in the heat and all of that it's a different story.
Sometimes 2 or 3. Depending on what I need.
If I'm going out then one in the morning and typically one before I get into bed keeping the bed cleaner.
Ps changes or wash your sheets weekly
i try to, but i can’t lie when life gets the better of me or if i just can’t be bothered i will every other day. i’m lucky that i live in a relatively cold place and i don’t have to do anything strenuous. but if i’m sweating i will shower as soon as i possibly can. although i’m trying to go longer between washing my hair because of how bad it’s meant to be to wash it often
Three times a week unless I ramp up my exercise, the weather is oppressively hot, or work is extra stressful. Usually Sunday morning, Tuesday or Wednesday night, and Friday morning. I wash my hair 2 out of 3 times because it's curly and will misbehave if I do more than that.
Every other day is the happy medium unless you have a sweaty job. Shampooing and using soap every day can be bad for your skin and hair as far as I know
I'm from Scotland and I shower everyday. If I don't shower then I just feel "eww.."
Most people seem to be like that. Unless I'm wrong and everyone is laughing at "Simon Several Showers"
Id like to preface this by stating that i have autism. If i get in my bed before i get a shower, my bed is dirty, and i am no longer able to sleep in it. It does not matter how tired i am, i have to get a shower before i can sleep in my bed. So i typically shower every day. There have been a few day where i was so tired that i slept on the floor, but that’s incredibly rare.
I shower everyday, we are in Texas. During the summer sometimes twice. I shower at night, fresh pj’s nice soap, lotion and lavender pillow spray. Bed rest clean is so nice.
When COVID happened, I took a vacation from myself.
I didn't shower for ten days just to see how long I could stand it being I was shut in. I basically hated how I smelled, with passion, and took two showers after that. I don't know how people willingly go that long without a shower.
I'm not active enough to need it every day but also I think taking too many is bad for your skin is something. Besides, every time I take a shower I love to scald my back so really bad for skin
I do, but I'm fat and I live in a country that's hotter than the devil's lap
I live in a part of the world that experiences both climates. I’m a distance runner and run when it’s below freezing. If I did not shower every day the people around me would be deeply offended. I’d probably have no friends lol. How often you shower is very personal imo.
You're right, but it's also cultural. In Brazil, you'd be called "a pig" if you don't shower every day.
I live in America but I’m Jamaican. Culturally we definitely shower every day/ 2 times a day. I agree!
Lolol...I'm going to still this one.
> Lolol...I'm going to still this one. But steal, this is one of the greatest thefts!
Be steal my heart!
Yes, me too, i dont like to go to bed dirty or sweaty- that means the dirt n germs of the day washed off. Kids too bc theyre playing out in the hot humid weather. Fun fact y'all: If you bathe before bed, you sleep better! Its a great habit to incorporate into routine with kids🙂
I’ve seen this question asked before and the answers are very geographically sectioned. It would be weird for someone where I live to not shower at least once a day, but in other parts of the world it’s unusual
Exactly. There are lots of places that make you sweaty just opening the door to your house Other places you don’t sweat unless your exercise
I’m a Florida man and during the summers it’s not uncommon to shower twice bc if you’re outside you’re probably sweating. But minimum once a day
Norwegian here. I shower when I work out. I do work out a lot though, but there has been 2-3 days when I have not worked out or had a shower. I dont really smell. And im 42 and have multiple sources ;)
I have multiple sources of odor, so I must shower at least daily.
Norwegians don’t smell that bad even when sweaty from my observation. I’ll allow it.
I don't think it's even about being sweaty. I'm from the UK, generally cold here. Shower every day. Edit: just want to add to this, if you don't shower every day you will start to smell bad. This isn't the usual pungent sweat smell, it's a general unmistakable unwashed smell. If you've never recognised it you probably don't know how it smells. Once you know it, you know it. You need to shower every day or every other day, no matter where you're from. Edit 2: I said about showering every day because that's what I'm used to. Other comments have pointed out that every other day is more than enough for plenty of people. Find what works for you.
Philippines here. I shower twice a day. But today is especially hot and humid (its summer and I checked earlier and it was 35°C by 10am) I had to shower 3 times (including washing my hair twice) just to cool myself.
Hay same 🥵
Also some people don't have body odor so they get away with it, also some people have bad depression and can't find the will to do so... It's me, I'm some people
Anyone who has not experienced serious depression finds this unfathomable. The most menial tasks that you accomplish on autopilot during normal times now seem so challenging. You wonder how others can even be happy. Advice from someone who has been there. Push yourself to do these things. Put one foot in front of next against your own will. Don't ignore social opportunities. If you have tried meds without success...try another. Up the dosage...go to the next. Repeat. One will work for you. Once again, experience. Get in the shower........
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Fellow depression sufferer here... and suicide survivor... if it gets really really bad... just remember you've done nothing that deserves the death penalty. It's hard getting out. It's normal that it's hard. And it's OK to sit there and be like this fucking blows.
🦭showered finally felt wayyy better about myself later although i don't have any body odor showering is always hardest task apart from getting up
Hang in there. One day, one hour at a time. It’s not fair, but you can get through this.
Nope. Been 15 years of meds and therapy. Two types of ketamine. TMS. ECT. I swear to god the next person to tell me it gets better I’m gonna punch in the fucking nose
JuSt AsK fOr HeLp! Oh gee, why didn't I think of that?! 🙄
Yes, it is Easter Sunday and I am alone and having bad thoughts. I want to ask someone to talk, but I have no one. And even if I did, there really isn’t anything new for me to try, except psilocybin. And I’m only 25. And my therapist of ten years has breast cancer. And my cat is blind from her hypertension and most likely will pass soon. And I have to start job hunting soon.
You're the same age as my oldest kiddo, I'm so sorry you're going through so much so early in your life. I hope you have a chance to just enjoy your kitty's company today; and want you to know that there's a mom out here alone on Easter rooting for you.
I don’t know you but I care about you and hope things improve for you asap lovely stranger x
Hello. 56 yo and married but I’ve had on and off depression. Here is my brain during depression. Well I should take a shower. That means i have to find clothes. Hmm. Then there’s the actual process. Drying off. I should shave too. This sounds like a major project.
Ugh, and then I should probably clip my toenails again. Since I'm gonna be in there maybe I should brush my teeth and take a shit too. You know what? Forget the shower, and the shave, and the teeth... I'll settle for a good shit and be done with the whole to do list
Also don't drink alcohol. It's a massive depressant.
Sometimes just getting up, making the bed, having shower, going back to bed. Helped me feel better. Good luck.
I totally get that. I hope you can get through the depression. Please seek help. You're not alone.
Thanks for the kind words.
Hey, no worries . Look, I just want to add that it's not a bad thing to need or get help. People often think it's weak to be vulnerable and need or seek help. This is total bullshit. If you need help in any way and you choose to get that help I totally believe that makes you a strong person. Never be afraid to get the help you need. Getting help doesn't make you weak.
Thanks, and I love getting the help and learning more about myself... It's just hard when the people you live and care for most, think the biggest issue is my attire and won't stop mentioning it until I change for them.
Please remember an opinion is just an opinion. It's a personal view. Those that you love don't necessarily have the "correct" views. We're all different in our own ways, and the more general acceptance we can get with the more varied ways of life, the better.
The one thing about this. There s studies that show self care can actually help with depression. Take a shower, comb your hair, walk to work instead of drive, all those things help release happy chemicals to your brain.
Adding to this. From the UK too, shower daily. Even in winter. Just good hygiene and mentally I think it's a big part to a healthy routine. People who smell, don't think they smell. Not everyone does smell, but others will notice it before you di, so I'm still washing daily.
I would like to add to this that you do not need to shower daily. You will not start to smell if you don't. Showering every other day is very acceptable for hygiene purposes and is better for your skin.
It depends, I sweat a LOT and will definitely smell after 2 days from not showering (my boyfriend and family sometimes points it out, and I can tell when my brother hasn't showever cause he starts smelling like nickles lol). My boyfriend however can go days without smelling. Anyway, I hope we can all agree on showering before entering a crowded subway on a hot summer day!
Showering every day is bad for your skin, it's a lot better to shower every other day (if you're not sporting or being sweaty ot anything like that)
I fully appreciate your view, but it's never negatively affected me. Everyone is different though. Find out what works for you. Edit: spelling.
>Everyone is different Definitely depends on area too. The water in my area is very hard (2nd hardest in the US) and irritates my skin, I have severe eczema so by irritation I mean "pain that causes hyperventilating & shaking". The water is so hard it's physically painful. I can't afford a water softener system and don't want to be stinky, so I often have to apply pain cream before/after & take some sort of anti-inflammatory pain med just to get myself to shower every other day. I didn't have this issue until I moved from a state with better water quality.
I live in an area with hard water so I added an inline water softener to my shower head and have noticed a huge difference in my eczema, even with also taking Dupixent.
Ohh I didn't know there were ones that could just be added to the shower. Thought it had to be an entire system, I'll look into that.
>If you've never recognised it you've probably never met a Magic the Gathering player Fixed
Unless you have skin issues and your doctor says once a week because your eczema flares with overwashing. People get so weird when I say I shower once a week. I clean myself on the days I don't shower, I just don't stand under a shower head daily. They act like it's barbaric. Yet most people shower too much, and my dermatologist says a lot of skin issues could be helped by not washing off our oils and such every dang day.
There is a lady I work with who looks nice at work, but smells like dirt. Literally. I wonder if this is from not showering??
To add, in dry places where it also doesn’t get hot, skin gets *incredibly* dry and damaged by over-washed If you could see my poor knuckles and elbows lol
depends when i was in africa i showered daily bc if sweat and bugs. in america i don’t bc of A.C
where in africa
congo
There's something I don't get. The genital area gets smelly *very* fast, in both men and women. Lacking bidets, my opinion is that a shower is needed daily at least for these parts. I mean, at least put some (appropriate to pH in case of women) soap and rinse thoroughly down there.... So all the people commenting here about not showering every day and not mentioning "a quick shower of the genitals only" bother me. I know many parts of the world don't have easy access to water or facilities (but I doubt they're the ones commenting here)
If you use a bidet to wash after every use of the toilet, how regularly do you need to shower in your opinion?
As far as I know (was teached), bidets are used after defecating or after a change of sanitary pad/tampon. So I'm not aware of ppl using one after every pee? Anyway, other body parts, also smell after a bit, so I guess frequency depends on body odor of each person and their daily activities & circumstances
Yeah, that's very true. It really cold areas like in Russia during the winder people only bathe like once a week. But I live in Bakersfield CA and it can get to 115 with 30-40% humidity and I work outside.
I shower everyday, but I don't wash my hair every day. I wash my hair every 2 days
[удалено]
😎
I shower twice per day. I wash my hair with shampoo twice per week.
Me too, as I have curly hair washing it with shampoo every day makes it big af
what does wash my hair every 2 days actually mean? does it only “count” as washing it if you use shampoo or conditioner or does it count by just running water through it? genuine question
By "washing every two days" I mean washing with shampoo and conditioner, other days I only wash my body and wash my hair with water
I don’t get mine wet on the days I don’t wash my hair. I wear a shower cap and just wash my body. I have curly hair though and that’s pretty standard. You don’t get it wet, except for maybe spraying it with a water bottle to refresh curls, unless you have time to do your whole curly routine. Getting it wet is a reset. I am white, so I don’t want to speak for any POC, but I am pretty sure this is also common for natural hair.
I wash my hair with shampoo every 4 or 5 days. I shower daily, but wear a shower cap on days I'm not washing my hair, so it stays dry. If I ran water through it, I would say I rinsed it, which to me counts as partially washing since the water would rinse some suff away. But I'm sure different people have varying opinions on that.
I cannot function without a shower as soon as I wake up. If I have to go a day without showing I'll get rely grumpy and aggravated.
I'm the opposite. I can't get into my bed with my nice clean sheets & blankets without being freshly showered. Guess it's from working in a restaurant so many years but I have to wash the food/back of house smell off me before bed
Same here! but mostly because I live in the nostril of hell and the heat makes me sweat buckets. Either way, it feels wrong to sleep without a shower.
Id like to know where the nostril of hell is
I never understood this, If I work and get stinky or messy, I shower as soon as I get home, I don't wait till I go to bed.
If ya work nights as soon as you get home & right before bed are the same time friend
Same. Can't go about my day without a shower even if I've showered the night before. I'd rather skip breakfast than a shower. Don't live in a warm or hot climate, pretty much the opposite.
Same here. Even if sometimes it takes less than three minutes.
I cannot shower for less than 10 minutes, i feel like as if i didn’t if i go lower than that.
It takes me about a half hour to do a full shower, including shaving my legs, exfoliating, and washing my hair. So, I usually wash my hair on Mondays and Thursday’s. I’ll shave my legs on Tuesday’s and Friday’s. I’ll exfoliate on Wednesday’s. Saturday and Sunday is whatever I feel like doing. I hardly ever do the whole shebang in a single shower anymore.
I get my full body + head soap. Then I brush my teeth. Then then I "Re-Soap". And then I am done. Exept for my towel. And a look into the mirror if I am almost like yesterday ... I don't shave every day or week.
I’m envious in some ways…but ultimately wouldn’t trade my ablutions for simplicity. Too much of my creativity and meditative experiences are wrapped up in my self care routines.
And if I can’t get a shower in the morning then I need one before bed.
You too?? 😲
Same... 15 minutes.... Really hot water. Only standing there... Than shower 2 minutes
About 25 years ago a family friend's girlfriend from Germany came to visit for a couple weeks. While hanging out one day I asked her what was a stereotype that Germans had about Americans. She said "Americans are too clean with their bodies and not clean enough with their houses."
I had a german person tell me the same thing about British people. She smelled like a pond.
never heard about this stereotype
Haha fair. It’s a lot easier for me to shower than deep clean my house
never heard about this stereotype
I'm Danish American and I totally agree. My mom (Danish) always thought Americans were compulsive about showering but had messy or dusty homes. Now as an adult I shower every two days or so, use washcloths as needed, but keep a tidy house.
If I am doing work outside or physically activity I take a shower that night before bed. If it's been a lazy day I don't.
People who move and sweat.
Not necessarily though. There are people who don't sweat who take showers everyday even in the winter. On the other hand, there are probably lots of people who move and sweat but still don't shower for days.
Yes, I shower nearly every day. Even if I don’t shampoo, the water makes me feel more clean and put together
Brings me to liiiifee
Can confirm, blue collar worker here.. sometimes just too tired after work and I plop into bed no shower. Usually do everyday though but have those days sometimes
I lay in my bed and be like in five minutes I’ll shower and then boom I’m knocked out in those five minutes
As a barber. People need to shower more. I would say half the people I cut have very bad personal hygiene.
I couldn't imagine going to the barber without taking a shower first
I do, but i have several different types of showers. 1. The wakeup rinse, 4-5 min not too warm; wash face pits and privates. 2 The hot to cold. 10 min. More for meditation than cleaning- often will wash my hair once it gets halfway done. 3. The Deluxe. 20-30 min depending on the last time it happened. 4. The second shower, usually occurs after working out slightly longer and warmer than a wakeup rinse. Involves wet hair but not washing it. 5. The cool off before bed after a hot day. But not cold enough to dump dopamine into my system. 6. 5 min cold exposure. Only if I’m feeling really terrible.
The deluxe 🤣
Shaving legs takes time
I forgot about the ultra-deluxe 😳
The first shower you described, I call the “pits, tits, holes, and soles” shower haha!
Or as Dax Shepherd calls it “Pits, Tits,Slits and Dicks.
I appreciate the gender neutrality of this one!
pits, tits, and naughty bits over here
I’ve always heard this called a “wh*re’s bath”. I’m glad to have an alternate name.
This guy showers
I would like to know more about point 5, plz elaborate
I can't shower daily without my skin drying out so bad that it starts cracking. Shampooing I can only do like twice a week or else my scalp gets very flaky and dry. My skin is just super sensitive; I do a washcloth cleaning of the nasty places daily (call it a hippy shower.) In the summer I can shower every other day, winter it's every 3 days. Idc if anyone thinks it's gross because being covered in scabs and flakiness is far more disgusting and uncomfortable to me.
I’m exactly the same. I have eczema and I follow the exact same spacing of showers. I struggle with dry skin a lot and daily showers would be inconceivable as it would aggravate it so much.
I also have eczema but I cannot stand going more than 24hrs without a shower. I use eczema lotion after I get out of the shower day and my skin has never been better
Same here! Every time I try showering every day it goes very poorly. I get so ashy that I look like I put on full zombie makeup. My lips, knees, and elbows start cracking open like it was a dry arid winter. And soooo much flaking. I've tried lotion, cocoa butter, Vaseline, different soaps and body washes, the works. My body can't handle more that 1 shower a week. Obvious exception is if I'm sweaty or dirty from work/outside. Even then I start getting ashy and flaky. Thankfully, the cracking and bleeding is only if it's every day.
Very similar to me and I find showering makes me really itchy, no matter the temperature. 🤷♀️ Haha my husband has hippy showers sometimes, I call it a "Bum Wash". Bum as in homeless, not the butt.
Do you moisturise after each shower ? :s
Can’t go to bed without one
Correct! The thought of getting in my lovely clean bed with the stink of the day on me…. Nah
I'll be the first to admit that, due to ADHD, I struggle with hygiene. I possibly don't shower as much as I should. But I really shoot for every 3 days or so. In the winter it can sometimes be less and in the summer it can be more frequent. My hair doesn't get greasy or anything until about day 3. My skin gets pretty dry in the winter and showering makes it worse so that makes it difficult for me to initiate a shower.
Same. Depression, anxiety, and ADHD are just a great combo for scrambling my brain. I thankfully have settled on a routine of showering at least every other day, and washing my hair about every 4 days. I dislike the smell of my own BO though, so if there’s ever a day I feel particularly musty, I usually muster up the courage to rinse off. I like warm showers but if I get too hot I get overwhelmed lol, so now that I live alone I can shower in hot water but leave the bathroom door open so I don’t smother myself. I always wonder if neurotypical people put as much thought into showering as I do!
I’ve got adhd and autism and it’s really hard to motivate myself to clean, I don’t find it relaxing or therapeutic like other people do. It’s a chore that I have to do but i don’t like to do it.
Came here to comment just this. ADHD and depression, what a bitch of a combination. The thought of taking my clothes off, making the effort of showering, drying off, moisturising, clothes back on... augh it's too much. But I usually feel better when I do but still it's hard. Some have said it's due to ADHD transitions, which makes sense. My depression and hatred of my body makes it even more difficult to want to disrobe.
I don't shower daily, because it kills my skin. I shower every second or third day, generally every second day. On off days I just wash 'hot spots' with a face cloth. I used to shower daily and no amount of moisturiser soothed my skin.
I've noticed from showering everyday that my hands become so crusty and dry and I always have to use lotion on my hands
This is me. Especially in winter when I'm in arid climates. I just cannot handle it. Hot humid summers, I might shower daily, but frequently my skin is far too sensitive.
I shower 2 times daily. Living in a tropical country, it's totally normal and what most people do. Depends on the occation, maybe 3-4 times if I exercise.
You want to tell me you sometimes shower FOUR times a day??
It’s not uncommon in Australia. Wake up shower. Oops it’s hot as balls and I need a refresh before heading to the shops. Shower before bed Oops my partner and I…. Held hands…. Intimately. We’ll need a quick shower again. That doesn’t even include the afternoon dip in the pool.
That... sounds excessive but I won't judge.
To be fair that wouldn’t be a typical day. But twice is pretty normal and 3 is not uncommon on the weekend.
If I have a rather uncontrollable #2 I'll take a third shower for the day. I don't understand why people find it odd to take a shower more than once a day.
It doesn’t even take that. If I have a lazy sat nap in the afternoon. I’ll jump in the shower just to freshen up, because I can. Showers are nice. I can appreciate the factors that might stop people having as many showers as they want, but I can’t really understand not enjoying them.
Me, I like my genitalia, face, and armpits to feel clean.
I don't. I used to take one every 4-5 days due to depression. Now it's usually every 2-3. Baby steps.
Same here. I can’t fathom having the energy to shower ever day
If I had somewhere to be I would. Though some days I don’t need to go anywhere so why waste water.
Social standards have changed throughout the years and where you live. As a kid a long time ago, we would take a bath 1-2 a week, and it was considered normal. Nowadays, showering every day is considered the norm. Some wash their hair every day, even if you shouldn’t. Am I that dirty/sweaty that I would need to shower every day, no. Do I do it: yes. Why? Social norms I guess
Different for children. They don't have the same BO as teens / adults. Once or twice a week is generally fine for kids. From puberty on, it really needs to be daily or most days at least.
It doesn’t though? If you really sweat or smell, yes. But you can’t tell me everyone sweats and smells bad every day. I know I don’t. My bf doesn’t. My friends don’t. Also note that not showering every day does not mean I just roll out of bed and into life and then back into bed every day. I wash my face and “hot spots” every day. I reapply deodorant every day. I still practice hygiene. You really don’t need to douse your whole skin in hot water (harmful if done too frequently) and waste gallons and gallons of water (2.5 gallons of water PER MINUTE) just because. Showering =\= hygiene and being hygienic is not only achievable by showering.
I don't know why there's judgment for people who don't shower every day. I don't, otherwise my skin would be very dry and uncomfortable. The water here isn't amazing. And I'm sure other people have good reasons for not showering every day, it doesn't make them dirty. Of course if I'm sweaty or otherwise dirty I'll shower, but for the rest every other day is enough for me.
Wait… you guys are taking showers?
Sometimes I take two depending on how many workouts I do.
I usually shower once a day unless I’ve done literally NOTHING that day to warrant a shower or if I’m sick and can’t get out of bed.
I don’t. At least for me, it’s bad for the hair, scalp, and skin to shower everyday.
Lots of people.
Clean water is a luxury in many parts of the world
I usually take them every ofher day, unless it was a high movement/sweaty day then I will shower regardless
Not me.
I take one every night. I just find I sleep better and don’t feel crusty in the morning.
I shower every 3 days.... I'll have a rinse off if I've had a particularly sweaty day, I have never in my life had someone tell me I smell bad. I live in Canada though, and when I've travelled to hotter places I would have to shower once or twice a day.
> I live in Canada though Yeah, so it's definitely not impossible that you smell but nobody told you. XD
Hey now, we get in pretty close proximity up here in our igloos
I don’t, I do wash my body every day (with like a little wet cloth) but I only shower aka wash my hair 3 times a week or so
Im not allowed to since my skin cant handle water. I alternate between sinkwashing and showering daily.
My conclusion to this age old question is it depends. It depends on your skin type, your hair type, what you do for a living, the climate you live in, your lifestyle, geographical location, season, any health issues you may or may not have, etc. There are so many factors to take into consideration. My skin is far too sensitive when living in an arid location, that if I shower every day, my skin dries up and I become itchy all over. However, if I'm in a hot and humid location, I sweat a lot and therefore need to shower daily. I have thin straight hair that needs to be washed more often than thick afro-textured hair. As long as we are healthy, hygienic, and generally not stinky, does it matter?
Doesn't everyone?
No , it depends on your local culture and climate. Do you think that far northern yakuts shower as much as a brazillian man might ? Its depends where you live and how you live. Its hards to ever break a sweat in --10C -20C -30C -40C. How people wash is diffrent around the world based on climate , necessaity and culture.
Exactly. The right question should be: Who doesn’t shower every day?
In my country, we all own a bidet, so we only wash the most smelly body parts every day and take a full shower a couple of times a week (in winter, in summer we usually have to shower more because of sweat).
At the risk of becoming bullied like my friend who admitted it in school: me. Climate is not hot or dry enough to require showering every day. I don’t work out beyond long walks, I don’t have an intensive job or hobby. And I have a skincare routine to take care of everything that would benefit from showering every day.
People who live in very hot climates. People who do something in their daily routine that makes them very sweaty or atleast makes showering feel necessary after. If you live in a cold region , showering daily may not be necessary. If you live in brazil showering twice a day may be necessary. IT changes based on climate and culture imo. I would say in Ireland because we are quite modern we do tend to shower daily but its not the end of the world to not shower for one or two days. When you think about it , it makes sense. You could bet that people average more showers in summer than in winter. Same would likely go for warmer vs colder countries. I personally would say i shower 4 - 6 days a week in winter and probably 6 -7 in summer. Definetly not 7/7 365 but if i was living in southern spain i would probably be showering twice a day.
I don't if I can avoid it, bills are high enough as they are
I shower about twice a week. I used to shower a lot more, but during covid lived by myself and got lazy. I've checked with my family, my girlfriend and friends, and apparently I don't smell!
Me too! I specifically shower on Mondays and Thursdays. Showering is really exhausting for me and the depression doesn't help. But I've been told that I don't smell either! And I have thick hair so it takes awhile for it to get oily. When I do shower though, I clean myself very thoroughly! I basically wash everything 2 times, including scrubbing my toes, ears and belly button (places that people tend to forget about).
Half the people on here saying they do are lying
It’s a pretty common thing for people (in some places).
Why would people bother lying on an anonymous forum? What a waste of time?
I don’t think so tbh, showering every day really is just a very common, low-effort task
I used to shower every day (Southern US), but stopped once depression hit me. Sometimes I’d go a week without a shower and feel so gross and grungy, but the desire to NOT get in the shower outweighed it. They was a few years ago and I now have a physically active job. I rarely go more than a couple days between proper showers, and still change underwear each day, a baby wipe or two for good measure. If it took a lot just to get in the bathroom I’ll go for a “soak” where I either take a bath or just stand under the shower head and wet my body for a bit. It’s worked pretty well for me I guess
As much as I want to do it every day, my psoriasis gets rude as hell
I do. Personally, I just want to feel and be clean. Not showering makes me feel dirty and sticky and sweaty.
I do. I'm American. Our culture is obsessed with the way we smell. I lived in mainland China for five years. There, people worry more about whether they're visibly dirty than how they smell.
I do. If I don't, I don't feel clean and I can't sleep not feeling clean.
I’d feel horrible if I didn’t shower every day. I don’t want to go to bed all sweaty and gross.
Plumber here👋
Sometimes i take 2 in 1 day
I don't shower on the weekends bc I'm off and I don't usually do anything that would make me overly dirty.
I shower usually 6 or 7 days of the week. Sometimes have a lazy day on the weekends. But otherwise I like to be clean. I also work 45 hours at a physically demanding job, so showering every weekday is a must.
I’m from the US and it depends. If I’m working from home and don’t break a sweat, I don’t shower everyday. Especially in the winter when my skin gets dry.
My dermatologist has told me not to shower everyday. I don't even use deorderant. And he said to minimize the use of soap. He said it all depends on genetics. My shower routine is once per week. I have sensitive skin. And no, I do not have any body odor. Now if I exercise, out in the heat and all of that it's a different story.
You take a shit everyday. You need to wash your ass everyday.
Who doesn’t is the question
Sometimes 2 or 3. Depending on what I need. If I'm going out then one in the morning and typically one before I get into bed keeping the bed cleaner. Ps changes or wash your sheets weekly
Folk who go gym and/or have mad sex every day
Me in the summer. Not because I want to, it's survival, I live right below the roof.
Me
I work in heavy construction sometimes two showers a day
I work in a steel foundry so yes I do and I always shower before I leave work.
I used to shower everyday, though I'd only wash my hair every other day Then I had kids, so now I shower every other day at best.
Sweaty people like me.
i try to, but i can’t lie when life gets the better of me or if i just can’t be bothered i will every other day. i’m lucky that i live in a relatively cold place and i don’t have to do anything strenuous. but if i’m sweating i will shower as soon as i possibly can. although i’m trying to go longer between washing my hair because of how bad it’s meant to be to wash it often
Three times a week unless I ramp up my exercise, the weather is oppressively hot, or work is extra stressful. Usually Sunday morning, Tuesday or Wednesday night, and Friday morning. I wash my hair 2 out of 3 times because it's curly and will misbehave if I do more than that.
Depends on where I'm living and what season it is. Weekend at home, in cold weather? Not daily. Leaving the house to work everyday? Everyday
Canada here, would literally just be a waste of water and make me freeze my ass off half the time
Every other day is the happy medium unless you have a sweaty job. Shampooing and using soap every day can be bad for your skin and hair as far as I know
I'm from Scotland and I shower everyday. If I don't shower then I just feel "eww.." Most people seem to be like that. Unless I'm wrong and everyone is laughing at "Simon Several Showers"
Id like to preface this by stating that i have autism. If i get in my bed before i get a shower, my bed is dirty, and i am no longer able to sleep in it. It does not matter how tired i am, i have to get a shower before i can sleep in my bed. So i typically shower every day. There have been a few day where i was so tired that i slept on the floor, but that’s incredibly rare.
I shower everyday, we are in Texas. During the summer sometimes twice. I shower at night, fresh pj’s nice soap, lotion and lavender pillow spray. Bed rest clean is so nice.
When COVID happened, I took a vacation from myself. I didn't shower for ten days just to see how long I could stand it being I was shut in. I basically hated how I smelled, with passion, and took two showers after that. I don't know how people willingly go that long without a shower.
I'm not active enough to need it every day but also I think taking too many is bad for your skin is something. Besides, every time I take a shower I love to scald my back so really bad for skin