Are you guilty of rushing out the door after yoga, skipping a shower completely, and booking it to work or another appointment?
Just about everyone has done this at one point or another, and it definitely won’t kill you. But, if you make a habit of leaving class dripping in sweat, you’re going to feel less than your best later on.
If you want to feel refreshed after class but don’t have time for a full-on primping session, don’t worry. Try these five tips to freshen up in ten minutes or less!
1. Wash Your Hands and Face
At the very least, you should wash your hands and face after class. Think of all the germs you’ve collected on your hands in the last hour. And, what about all the sweating you’ve been doing?
Take 20-30 seconds to wash your hands with warm water and soap. Make sure to dry them with a paper towel rather than a cloth towel, too.
Splash warm water and soap on your face, or use a gentle face wash to rinse off the sweat and keep your pores from getting clogged.
2. Take a Body Shower
If your gym or yoga studio has showers available, you should try to take a quick body shower after class to rinse off the sweat.
If you can, use a back scrubber to scrub hard to reach body areas. This will help you avoid breakouts on your back, something many avid yogis struggle with, especially when they do Bikram or power yoga.
3. Use Dry Shampoo
If your hair needs a boost after class, spray some dry shampoo on your roots. It will absorb the sweat and oil that’s accumulated on your scalp during class and will leave your hair volumized and smelling fresh and clean.
4. Bring Your Own Wipes
If you don’t have access to a shower but really need to clean up, a pack of baby wipes will be your best friend. They’re perfect for wiping away sweat and will help you get to your next destination feeling clean and refreshed.
You can also use wipes to get rid of makeup before class starts, especially if you are prone to breakouts. Sweating opens up your pores, and it’ll be easy for makeup to clog them if you don’t take it off beforehand.
5. Change Your Clothes
It’s always best to change out of your sweaty yoga clothes as quickly as possible. If you’re not going home after class, bring a change of clothes with you so you can put on something clean and dry before you hit the road.
Ideally, your post-yoga clothes should be clean and made of cotton to help you cool down and let your skin breathe.
Bonus Tip: Clean Your Mat!
You should clean your mat after every practice. A clean mat will help you stay cleaner during class since you won’t be lying in all the dirt you brought to it during your last practice.
If you have to choose between cleaning your mat or cleaning yourself, you take precedence. But, make sure you take the time to clean your mat when you get home.
You can simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. Pay special attention to the places your hands and feet touch most often. Let it air dry before rolling it back up.
These tips will help you freshen up quickly and get on with your day. Don’t trick yourself — you have plenty of time to prioritize cleanliness. All it takes is a little preparation!
