Archives:
- Latest posts
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
Writers:
Pleasure of Hot Showers
Posted on Jan. 14, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. by Jill.
In an upcoming podcast, Laurene and I are going to be discussing the "Navy shower," where one takes a very brief shower, turning off the water while lathering up, as a way of conserving water.
It does conserve water -- as much as 57 gallons of water per shower, if you're the type who might luxuriate otherwise in a 10-minute long cascade. And beauty experts say it's good for your skin to take quickies.
But I don't see myself switching any time soon. If I have to save water, I'd rather skip a shower once or twice a week than I would take a shower that I don't enjoy. "Use ordinary repetitive occasions in your own house as invitations to practice mindfulness," Jon Kabat Zinn writes in Wherever You Go, There You Are. "Be present for things like taking a shower, or eating. When you are in the shower, are you really in the shower? Do you feel the water on your skin, or are you someplace else, lost in thought, missing the shower altogether?"
Remember after a camping trip, and how amazing the hot shower felt upon your return? Every day can be like that. A shower is a completely incredible thing, not to be missed.
my name commented, on January 20, 2008 at 2:15 p.m.:
I love camping and I equally love that shower on the return to urban life!
Aside from global warming the next biggest environmental threat (or bigger than, depending on your perspective) is the lack of access to clean, potable water.
Living in Chicago, it's hard to look at the big, beautiful Lake and think that water conservation should really be a priority - I mean look at it! It's huge and seemingly never-ending. But as more of our neighbors to the south experience water sources drying up, we'll have to share more and more. Water-shortages will (they really already do) effect everyone in the US very shortly if we continue on our wasteful path.
Therefore, water conservation should be a part of everyone's everyday life. And this includes in the shower.
The two easiest ways to continue to stay shower-fresh while saving water are:
1. Yes, really do take a shorter shower. There are timers you can install in the shower that alert you when 5 minutes is up. Even with a 4-5 minute shower, though, you can still use up to 40 gallons of water! So,
2. Install aerators on the shower head or purchase a low-flow shower head. I found a shower head that cost about 30 dollars (it's the hand-held type that I like so I can wash the dogs and water the plants) and is rated to flow at 1.5 gallons a minute.
This site has many options... http://eartheasy.com/shop/water_save_...
So if I take my 5 minute shower I will use about 7.5 gallons of water (maybe a little more to let the water heat). I have been practicing 5 minute showers since I was a child and I find it to be a fun challenge. I've got it down to a science now...shampoo and then condition, leaving the conditioner on, lather and wash face and body; then the rinse from head to toe. Done!