Why Does Depression Make It Hard to Shower?

If you have depression and you’re feeling overwhelmed with day-to-day personal hygiene, using these expert-recommended tips can help you get started today.

1. Stick to Your Depression Treatment

This one isn’t a hygiene hack per se, but for people with depression, treating the root cause of the problem will likely help you have more energy and motivation to care for your hygiene over time, Cook says.

2. Tackle Self-Care When You Have the Most Energy

Scheduling specific times of day to wash your face, brush your hair, or shower can be very helpful, says Tai. He suggests choosing a time of day when you feel like you have the most energy. You could also give yourself a reminder with an entry on your phone calendar to help you stick to that time, or set an alarm.

This will boost your odds of getting all these tasks done — and once you do, you’ll likely feel better physically, which in turn can help you feel better mentally, Tai says.

3. Simplify a Task so You Can Get It Done Quickly

Don’t let the idea that you need to spend hours completing hygiene tasks hold you back, Tai says. Look for ways to simplify them so you can get through your routine more quickly. This can help you to get everything completed before you run out of energy and motivation, says Tai.

A five-minute shower, one minute of brushing your teeth, or 30 seconds of brushing your hair, for instance, are totally acceptable on days when you’re struggling to get those tasks done at all, he says.

4. Use Shortcuts When Needed

Some days dry shampoo and gentle wet wipes may be your best friends. When it’s difficult to find the energy to shower because depressive symptoms get in the way, turn to shortcut products to get clean, says Tai.

If you’re too zapped of energy to shower, Tai suggests using dry shampoo to help soak up excess oil from your hair and scalp, or using gentle wet wipes on your face and body as quick ways to look and feel cleaner.

5. Fuel Up Beforehand

You likely know that anytime you exercise or do a physically demanding activity, it’s important to eat an energizing meal or snack beforehand and stay hydrated to get you through that endeavor.

The same idea can apply when you’re trying to muster the strength to care for yourself, says Tai. “If you have a meal and stay hydrated before taking on such a task, you will boost your chances of success,” he says.