DISEASE MANAGEMENT: Tips for making showering easier

 

To anyone not battling a chronic illness, the title of this post probably sounds ridiculous, but us chronic illness warriors, it makes perfect sense. Showering and other grooming tasks can be incredibly draining for those of us with limited energy, and often doesn’t seem worth it. Here are some tips to help you through the sometimes arduous process of showering. This advice comes courtesy of The Mighty.

  1. Avoid taking a full shower on days when you have many required tasks. Instead, do a sponge bath or spot wash, and take care of the rest another day. It won’t kill you to go a day or two without showering.
  2. Use a shower handle with strong suction cups. That way, you don’t have to install anything or need tools, but you’ll have a way to help yourself balance.
  3. Try a combination shampoo/conditioner/body wash. You can use one product to take care of most of your needs, rather than bending and twisting to pick up and put down numerous products.
  4. Find a place to hang your towel where you can reach it easily. If it’s within arm’s length, you won’t have to risk a fall on a slippery tub or floor.
  5. Use an electric razor so you can do any necessary shaving outside the shower if needed.
  6. Dry yourself with your blow/hair dryer if you have difficulty reaching all the spots. Just don’t put it on high.
  7. If you feel you must take a shower every day, divide your tasks. Wash your hair one day, shave the next, etc.
  8. Stretch before showering to warm yourself up and make your muscles and joints less likely to seize up.
  9. Try a handheld shower head to minimize the pressure on your skin and to more easily maneuver to those hard-to-reach places.
  10. Install a shower water filter if chemicals bother your skin.
  11. Use dry shampoo on the days you don’t have enough energy to wash it in the shower.
  12. Buy a terry cloth bathrobe and let that do the work of the towel, then just hang it to dry when you’re done.

Do you have any other tips for dealing with showering? Tell me in the comments!