Clear mind, clear skin, upgraded you

The feeling of hot water raining down on your tired muscles can be a form of relaxing meditation, especially after a long day of work or a night of sleep. Whether blankly standing under hot water or getting in a few quick scrubs before work (no judgment here), we’re pretty confident you’re already doing showering right — even five minutes under the shower head is the perfect amount of time to regroup and refresh.

So make the most out of your cleansing routine with these lush but simple tips. It doesn’t take much to make your skin, hair, and mind feel brand new.

While there are no scientific studies done on dry brushing (yet), wellness experts and skincare professionals alike tote the benefits of dry brushing for two to five minutes before a shower. The process removes dead skin cells (which is important for cell turnover and regeneration) and invigorates the skin, possibly temporarily reducing cellulite. And according to Mariska Nicholson, founder of the sustainable, nontoxic, oil-based beauty company Olive + M, it helps detox the lymphatic system, just like a massage. A quick reminder: The lymphatic system has many important jobs, including distributing fluid and nutrients through the body and removing toxins.

“Dry brushing the skin in long strokes towards the heart helps stimulate the sweat glands and open pores, which release toxins often trapped by antiperspirant and lack of exercise,” explains Gloria Gilbere, PhD, CPD, ND. “The hard bristles may leave your skin a bit red at first, but after your shower, it’ll have a rosy glow and a supple feel to the touch.”

Tackle those skin cells with this natural brush, which is made from boar bristles. Don’t share this with your friends or significant others though — dry brushing removes so much dead skin, you’ll want to keep this to yourself./p>

Cool water for improved focus and healthier skin

Steaming hot showers, however life changing they may feel at the moment, are actually not optimal for a few reasons. Nicholson says hot water strips our skin and hair of their natural oils, leaving them dry and brittle (not great for existing skin conditions like eczema or acne). Instead, Nicholson suggests trying cool or tepid showers.

Cranking up the cool is good for your mood too — in fact, it has an antidepressive effect. One studyTrusted Source found showering in water about 68 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three minutes daily stimulates the central nervous system. Cold exposure releases the pain suppressing hormones beta-endorphin and noradrenaline, which can decrease depression symptoms. For those who don’t have depression, this boost of hormones may kick-start clear thinking, increase blood flow and muscle engagement, and decrease inflammation. Another studyTrusted Source reports participants that showered in cool water for 30 days reported a 29 percent decrease in self-identified sickness.