Who Knew That Showering Daily Is Actually Bad For You

Everyone loves a hot shower, but research suggests our daily scrubbing regiments might be doing our bodies more harm than good. That stinks and stench be damned, a new study is showing that you might be right to avoid taking a shower every day!

What gets you up in the morning? A warm shower can feel like a world of difference, but the latest immunology research says showering daily is unhealthy. Your skin has millions of microbes living on its surface. These microbes form a protective layer, acting as a natural moisturizer.

Some have antibiotic qualities to defend against harmful bacteria. Showering daily scrubs away these protective microbes and strips the skin of its natural oils. Tilting the balance of your body’s good bacteria raises your risk of illness. In 2015, sick days cost US employers $225.8 billion. Could showering be the culprit?

Proper bathing practices have been disputed for centuries. Ancient Romans used to frequent public bath houses daily. In the 1300s people feared bathing would open their pores and expose them to the plague. Bathing remained unpopular for the next 500 years. Today, doctors suggest showering every other day or as little as once a week. This prescription may not jibe with those who always want to look and smell their best. So, let’s just say whatever helps you sleep at night and whatever gets you up in the morning.

While slathering your body with an arsenal of aromatic and soothing lotions and soaps might seem like a great idea, especially on the social-interactions front, combining that with scrub-a-dubbing under hot water might not be a great idea. A steamy shower is fantastic, but you know what else is kinda great? Breathing!