Hard to believe, but until the XIX century Europeans wash only 1-2 times a year, or even less. For example, the Spanish Queen Isabella I of Castile claimed that bathed only twice in my life - at birth and the wedding day.
Today, in Europe and America to take a shower at least two times a day. Everyone who deviates from this rule shall be deemed unwashed barbarians.
But it is necessary, in terms of hygiene, so often take a shower? After all, in Russia since ancient times bathed only once a week.
Disgusting - the engine of progress
In antiquity bathed not only and not so much for the sake of clarity. Roman baths in no way inferior to modern SPA: marble, terrazzo, floor heating, essential oils and bath with water of different temperatures.
In the Middle Ages, bathing was expensive and troublesome. Bath is a huge wooden tub, it was carried out in every castle. Bathing water heated on the hearth (took a lot of wood). The water quickly cools - lords were afraid of catching cold.
But the main thing - to bathe in the Middle Ages it was a sin. Church considered: body - ashes, take care of it is not lawful, it is necessary to think about the purity of the spirit. In addition, the washing of the body will inevitably associated with nudity, which, after the "offense" of Adam and Eve - a shame.
St. BenedictHealthy body and, in particular, young age, should be washed as infrequently as possible.
As a consequence - the "bouquet" of the medieval diseases (scabies, dysentery, typhoid, cholera). Lice, fleas, mites and other parasites - the usual case, they even did not pay attention.
Surprisingly, unsanitary conditions of medieval Europe dictated fashion and move forward science. For example, XIV century scary fashion steel BDT - men's underwear with a wide base and a narrow leg. X tendency asked Louis, suffering from dysentery.
Also, evil tongues say that the famous French perfume were not targets of seduction, and the purpose of the mute... the stench coming from the ladies and gentlemen.
dirty conspiracy
Unlike in Europe, in Russia, liked to bathe. The word "bath", "soap", "Mylenko", "movnitsa" found in chronicles from the eleventh century.
Divo I saw in the Slavic lands on his way here. Saw wooden bath-houses, and to heat them strongly, and undress and be naked, and obolyutsya kvass tanning, and take brooms and hvostat begin yourself and before yourself will finish that barely get out, just live and obolyutsya water jelly, and the only way live. And they do it all the time, no one is not tormented, but themselves torment, and then doing the washing of themselves rather than torment. Tale of Bygone Years
Almost every hut has its own bath. It has been heated it is "black." If the bath was not washed in Russian furnace: furnace after the ash is removed and stele straw climbed inside and steamed, yielding water or kvass.
In cities operate public baths. And up to 1743 in which there was no gender division - men and women bathe together. Their "Sanduny" were even in small provincial town.
And in his, and in the public baths were washed once a week, on Saturdays, or before the great Christian holiday. In some places this tradition is followed to this day.
But why popular culture insists that we bathed twice a day?
65% of Americans take a shower once a day 1; 21% - in a day; 10% - once a week; 4% - 2 or more times per day. These AOL Inc.
Shower, waking up, showering after work shower before going to sleep, shower after a workout, a shower before going to the store.
By view sociologist Elizabeth Lancaster (Elizabeth Lancaster) this behavior is imposed by society.
What do you think, what will happen to cosmetic companies producing a variety of tools's Skin - soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions?
Do not forget that the shower not only gives a sense of purity, but also ease. Shower - a great way to relax. But from a psychological point of view, he gives more. In society, the man with the "oil" hair fastidiously mown. The more often you wash, the more confident you feel.
To wash or not to wash - that is the question?
According to Dr. Sanjaya Jane (Sanjay Jain), author books the optimal, physically and spiritually balanced life, there are no rules, when and how much a person should wash.
It all depends on the environment, lifestyle and anatomical features of the person. If you live in an area with a wet climate, your body to "stick" more dirt, and shower should be taken more frequently.
More physical activity - more perspiration, and therefore need to be washed.
At the same time, according to scientists, hygienists, not necessarily to use soap. With sweat and odor will be an excellent and simple water. Indeed, historically, that in the Roman Baths that Russian baths, wash only with water, and been clean.
Sanjay JaneWater - the foundation of our purity.
Short warm shower once a day or two, without the use of gels and shampoos quite cope with the maintenance of body hygiene. Indeed, most of it is hidden clothing, and hence is shielded from the surrounding environment bacteria. The only part of the body, which is recommended to wash with soap and water, and as often as possible - it's hands.
And how often do you take a shower?