Summary

Showering twice a day can significantly enhance personal productivity, especially for those working from home, by providing physical and mental benefits, establishing a work mindset, and boosting self-esteem.

Abstract

The author of the web content advocates for the practice of showering twice daily as a transformative productivity strategy. This routine is not commonly associated with workplace advice, yet it offers a multitude of benefits. Scientifically, warm showers can soothe the body and mind, while cold showers may increase oxygen intake and stimulate calorie-burning brown fat. Beyond the physiological effects, the act of showering creates a sense of accomplishment and serves as a daily ritual that demarcates the start and end of the workday. This ritual helps to cultivate a dedicated work mindset and can improve self-esteem, which is particularly beneficial for freelancers and entrepreneurs who may experience isolation and mental health challenges. The author emphasizes that it's the little daily habits, like showering twice a day, that set successful entrepreneurs up for success.

Opinions

The author believes that the physical act of showering, whether with warm or cold water, has numerous benefits that contribute to increased productivity.
Showering is seen as an achievement that can provide a sense of accomplishment, which is especially important for freelancers who may lack the structured routine of traditional office workers.
The author views showering as a powerful daily ritual that mentally prepares them for work and signals the transition in and out of the work mindset.
Regular showers are credited with improving self-esteem, which can be crucial for maintaining a positive outlook, particularly in the face of the highs and lows associated with entrepreneurship.
The author suggests that it is the consistent practice of small, seemingly insignificant habits like showering that underpin the success of great entrepreneurs.

Why Showering Twice is the Most Productive Thing I Do All Day

Productivity advice in work normally involves things like installing a website blocker or writing sticky notes. But the one thing that changed my life was showering twice each day.

I shower once when I get up and I shower when the day is done, whenever that happens to be. I was amazed at how much more productive and energetic it made me.

These are the reasons why I believe that showering twice per day can make you incredibly productive.

Showering Energises You…Because Science Said So

I don’t like to take cold showers, but warm showers are especially enjoyable for me. Science says that cold water increases oxygen intake by boosting your heartrate. There’s also a theory that cold water can stimulate brown fat, which is responsible for burning calories.

Warm water soothes aches and pains, reduces anxiety, and detoxifies the body through sweating.

Either way, showering has so many benefits. All of these problems reduce productivity and your ability to work, so ridding them can help immensely.

The Feeling of Accomplishment

I believe that showering is an achievement. Trust me, as a freelancer working from home, it’s so easy to skip out on showering if you’re not going outside. It’s easy to stay in your pyjamas and grab the laptop without ever getting out of bed.

But each day getting ready like any average office worker makes me feel like I’ve achieved something.

Even if your day is a terrible one, where everything went wrong, your day started and ended with an achievement.

It rejuvenates me and stops me from feeling so down.

Breeding that Work Mindset

A shower isn’t just a shower. It’s a daily ritual. It took me a few weeks for showering twice daily to become part of my usual rituals.

One thing I noticed is that it breeds that work mindset. In my mind, when I take my morning shower the day has officially started. When I take my evening shower, the working day has officially come to an end.

The power of ritual, when it comes to the mind, is extremely powerful. One study looked into office rituals and they found that when you strip a ritual of its social and cultural context it still has the power to bind people together.

For me, showering is that ritual. It binds me to my work. I’ve developed that trigger that gets me into that work mindset.

Boosting My Self-Esteem

Freelancers and entrepreneurs who work from home can quickly become isolated. It’s no surprise that in a single UK study, 58% of entrepreneurs reported experiencing mental health issues.

When things aren’t going right and you don’t understand why it’s even easier. You become a slave to the success or failure of your business. A bad month means you feel bad. A good month means you’re on top of the world.

But just that act of cleaning up twice a day helps you to feel great about yourself. You smell good, you look good, and you’re ready to go.

As I wrote above, showers are known to boost your mood.

The Little Things Matter Most

I often see articles on the great entrepreneurs around the world talking about their daily rituals and their eccentricities. It’s not that entrepreneurs are all crazy and weird. It’s that entrepreneurs set themselves up for success with the little things they do every day.

What do you do to make yourself more productive?