By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Sekondi, May 21, GNA -Madam Maribel Akuorkor Okine, Lay Counsellor and Gender Advocate says bathing twice a day is not just “women and girls” thing.
“Personal hygiene is gender neutral, self-care is mental health care, bathing twice a day, morning and evening, should be a standard for everyone, it is basic self-care, regardless of gender, it actually helps you regulate your emotions,” she added.
Madam Okine in an interview, explained that sweat glands, skin bacteria, and dust did not hinge on gender, adding that, “We all wake up sticky and come home dusty; bathing just made sense physically and psychologically.”
According to her, it is believed that morning bath washed off the night bad dreams and helps to start the day clean, alert, and smelling fresh.
She said: “Therapeutic: it tells your brain that the day has begun. It reduces anxiety and grounds you.
“While evening bath, washes off the day’s dirt, protect your skin, reset your mind…this is a transition ritual. It helps you decompress, process the day, and prepare for rest.”
The Lay Counsellor added that water was more than physical.”
She said: “In counselling, we call this symbolic cleansing. Many clients describe washing away every spirit that visited you while asleep — fear, heaviness, bad dreams, intrusive thoughts.
“Morning baths cleanse your spirit to rise fresh and focused. Evening baths help you lay down every burden of the day before sleep. It’s a simple, accessible grounding technique for body, mind, and spirit.”
Madam Okine said bathing helps to reduce body odor, infections and acne, and thus improve upon health and confidence.
Also,”being clean reduces social anxiety and allows people to take you more seriously when you show up for yourself. …body care is behavioral activation. It’s discipline, not vanity. It says, “I matter.”
She entreated the youth and the public to see bathing as a good therapy an affirmation of: “I wash off every burden of the day. I rise fresh and focused.”
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter Mildred Siabi-Mensah