CELEBRITIES COME CLEAN
HAVE A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY 3 Tips for a Merrier Time
They’re Not Washing Daily — Should You? This past summer, celebrities went out of their way to tell us they don’t bathe very often. With the higher temperatures, it was an odd time to announce a casual relationship with soap, but that didn’t stop stars like Ashton Kutcher, Kristen Bell, and Jake Gyllenhaal. It got so bad that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Momoa released statements assuring us that they do shower daily. The anti-shower celebrities’ argument was that too much soap is bad for your skin. Bathing too often, they argued, was not just unnecessary but could also be unhealthy. The hullabaloo has since died down, but it’s worth asking: Do the celebs have a point? As it turns out, frequent showers are more of a cultural than health practice. For example, two-thirds of Americans shower every day, but only about half of Chinese people do. Meanwhile, almost 90% of Mexicans shower daily, and Brazilians average two showers per day. Climate, access to clean water, and cultural norms all play a role. But, according to dermatologists, the stars might be onto something. While there’s no consensus on how often you should shower, dermatologists agree that washing with soap every day is unnecessary for most people. Soap dries out the skin, often making it itchy, irritated, and more prone to infections and allergic reactions. Antibacterial soap can kill off good bacteria that helps our bodies, and some evidence even suggests that washing with soap too frequently can weaken the immune system. That said, dermatologists agree that some people should shower every day, including those who work out regularly, literally get dirty at their jobs, or work with harsh chemicals and odors. And anytime you start to smell, you should definitely lather up. If you want to reduce how often you shower, dermatologists agree you should wash your face, armpits, and groin area with soap daily. Then, when you do shower, wash with warm (not hot) water and a moisturizing soap and try to keep your shower under 10 minutes. It’s important to wash gently instead of scrub your skin hard, and you should pat (not rub) yourself dry and apply lotion after your shower. These tips will ensure you stay clean while also protecting your skin. In the end, it’s how you shower — and not how often — that likely matters most to your skin health.
The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer.
RECHARGE FIRST
Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on.
GET STARTED EARLY
Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety.
DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION
The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.
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