When You Need a Nap After a Bath
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I used to love nothing more than soaking in a hot bubble bath. It was a way to relax and pamper myself. I enjoyed the heat and that relaxed feeling afterward. Now taking long hot baths has landed on the list of things that I used to do. Now, I need a nap after a bath!
Why Do I Need a Nap after a Bath?
To start with, I can no longer use hot water. I had to get used to much cooler baths. If I make my bath a sauna like I used to I will get way too hot. When I get way too hot it triggers a Hemiplegic Migraine. These cooler baths are not enjoyable to me at all!
The most frustrating part is that baths no longer relax me and they are no longer a way to pamper myself. Baths, like other mundane things, have to be planned.
Planning Ahead
For one, I have to wait until someone is home. Poor vision, poor balance, a paralyzed arm and a slippery surface do not make good partners. I do not feel safe taking a bath when no one is here. Secondly, they are exhausting! I realize that may sound absurd but it is true. There isn’t time to relax, I have to get in the tub do what needs to be done and get out because the single act of taking a bath uses up way too much energy.
I am not even counting the occasions where there is something that I would like to do the next day. When this happens, I know that I have to bathe the day before just in case I might be able to go. If I try to bathe on the day of an event, I know there is no possibility that I will have enough energy to participate.
As ridiculous as it may seem to those that do not battle a chronic illness, the simplest things have become the most difficult things.The Simplest of Things
Something as simple as a bath thus becomes a chore and something to plan and something potentially dangerous. The simple act of taking a bath requires a hour or more of recovery time. Even more time is required if I accidentally got the water a little too hot.
Making the Switch
I finally have decided to give up on taking baths and have resorted to taking showers. I do not enjoy them and honestly I find them the most unenjoyable thing ever.
It may seem silly to some to make such a big deal about it but when you live with Chronic Illness, so many things get taken away. A person with Chronic Illness has a graveyard of things that used to be a part of who they were before illness. As ridiculous as it may seem to those that do not battle a Chronic Illness, the simplest things have become the most difficult things.
Do you ever have moments when you need a nap after a bath?
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3 Comments
SpinePainWarrior
I can’t have a bath anymore so just shower. I have an over bath shower which is damgerous due to weakness in my left leg. I can only shower 2 maybe 3 times a week if I’m lucky as it’s exhausting and very painful. My bathroom is like a grannies bathroom with grab rails, shower board & raised toilet seat. I used to love soaking in boiling hot baths xx
The Frozen Mind
I find showers more exhausting because I am standing. I never bathe without my husband nearby in case I need help getting in or out of the tub.
I haven’t had to add rails but the raised toilet seat sounds like great idea!
Blondie
I seat during showering. This is so far the best solution for me. I have very short hair but my husband is always near by.