Taking a shower can be a tedious process, especially when you have to fumble with multiple bottles and products. However, with some strategic planning and preparation, you can streamline your shower routine and get in and out in a snap. Here are some tips for taking a quick yet effective shower:
Plan Your Routine
Start by thinking through your typical shower routine step-by-step and identifying ways to condense or optimize each step. Make a list of your absolute essential shower tasks like washing your hair, face, and body. Streamline by cutting out any extras like shaving, exfoliating scrubs, or hair masks which can be done less frequently. Prioritize the key tasks and items you need access to for a basic clean shower.
Get Organized
Next, get organized by gathering all your shower essentials and tools in one place. Keep your pared down shower products together in a caddy or bins so they are ready to grab and go. Useful items to have on hand are:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Face cleanser
- Shower pouf or washcloth
- Razor (if needed for quick shave)
- Shaving cream (if shaving)
Also make sure your shower area is decluttered with just the essentials inside. The less hunting around you have to do, the quicker your shower can be.
Optimize Your Space
Now look at your shower space and think about how to best optimize it for efficiency. Consider these tips:
- Put shampoo/conditioner at chest height within easy reach
- Hang pouf and razor at accessible heights
- Get a shelf or basket for face wash, soap, etc.
- Invest in a waterproof Bluetooth speaker if you like listening to music
- Get a shower caddy that hangs from your shower head
- Install shelves or bins for organization
Having your products and tools conveniently located will shave off time spent fiddling with items around the shower.
Map Your Routine
With your supplies organized, map out your ideal shower routine order. Think through what tasks make the most sense to do back-to-back. Here is an example optimized 5-minute routine:
- Wet hair and apply shampoo
- Wash/shave face while shampoo sits
- Rinse out shampoo
- Apply/rinse conditioner
- Wash body with soap
- Quick rinse
Customize your own routine for what works best for your hair type, preferences, etc. The key is grouping like tasks together in a logical order.
Shower in Sections
An easy trick is to shower in sections – focus on washing one part of your body at a time. For example:
- Hair: Shampoo, condition, rinse.
- Face: Wash face, shave.
- Body: Soap up pouf, wash body.
- Rinse: Quickly rinse everything off.
Sectioning off your tasks helps you concentrate on each body part efficiently without skipping any steps.
Take a “Navy Shower”
This shower method was developed to conserve water on Navy ships. To take a navy shower:
- Turn on water to get wet.
- Turn off water while you lather up.
- Turn water back on to rinse.
By turning the water off while soaping up, you can cut your shower time and water usage significantly. Install a simple timer if helpful to keep your water time focused.
Listen to Upbeat Music
Make your quick shower feel more enjoyable by listening to some upbeat tunes! Create a 5-10 minute shower playlist to keep you focused and motivated. The music also serves as a timer, so when the playlist ends, it’s time to wrap up your shower. Some examples of fun shower songs:
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
- “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark
- “Singin’ In The Rain” by Gene Kelly
- “ABC” by Jackson 5
Focus on Efficiency
When it’s time for your speedy shower, shift your mindset to focus on efficiency. Move through your routine briskly while still actually washing yourself. Some tips to stay efficient:
- Keep continuous motion vs. lingering.
- Don’t zone out or get distracted.
- Keep eyes open vs. closing them.
- Rinse quickly while facing away from water.
- Stay in a “ready” stance vs. casual standing.
With an efficient mindset, you’d be surprised how fast you can complete a thorough cleansing shower.
Skip Non-Essentials
Finally, stick to your streamlined shower basics and don’t get sidetracked. Avoid time-consuming activities like:
- Shaving legs/body
- Exfoliating scrubs
- Deep conditioning hair masks
- Hanging out for the enjoyment
Keep those extras for a more leisurely weekend shower. For your daily quickie, skip anything that’s not completely essential to get clean.
Conclusion
With the right preparation and efficiency mindset, you can absolutely shower thoroughly in 5 minutes or less. Test out these tips for optimizing your shower space, products, routine, and mindset. You’ll be amazed at how a few small tweaks can lead to big time savings. So grab your shampoo and put your speed shower skills to work!