The Psychological Benefit of Washing with Soap

No one ever wants their MOUTH washed out with soap. I don't even have to try it to know that it's not an experience that I would want to replicate. But what about your MIND? Is there any psychological benefit to washing with soap? If so, how can we intentionally use that to our advantage?

Cleansing has been a part of human culture since ancient times. Soap was used for religious ceremony, to signify purity, and cleanliness of body. And today, cleansing is an important aspect of the beauty ritual. Cleansers are designed to remove dead skin cells, grime, make-up, sweat, and bacteria from the skin. Cleansing prepares the skin for other skincare treatments such as a mask, exfoliant, toner or moisturizer.

But did you know that cleansing also has psychological benefits? Yup! It does! It provides a sense of renewal and rejuvenation and restores the mental and emotional state. When I'm dirty and sweaty it makes me feel not only physically clean to take a shower, but there is also a mental transformation that takes place. And when I'm feeling out-of-sorts or just had a good cry, it makes me feel mentally refreshed to wash my face.

 

Visualize the gentle lather brushing away all your cares...and washing them down the drain, released to the world.

Cleansing is a tool that you can use anytime you are in a mental funk or place where you need to push the restart button. When I lather up with soap I visualize the gentle brushing action removing the cares and things that weigh me down and when I rinse with water, all those things get washed away and I feel renewed in spirit. And then just like I would never intentionally put dirt or grime back on my cleansed skin, I don't take those negative thoughts back. They have washed down the drain, released to the world; gone. 

In addition to physical or surface cleanliness, it's important to know that you can also reset or renew your mental state any time you want. The next time you cleanse your body or face, think about how washing affects your mind and mental well being. 

To your good (mental) health and hygiene,