No phone zone: four ways to help turn your shower into the ultimate Zen oasis

The Guardian

a day ago

Let's be honest, there's not many places we don't take our phones with us these days. We scroll in bed, we make video calls nestled between the sofa cushions, and we're often reading a recipe on our screen while leaning over the hob. Thankfully, the shower is usually a phone-free zone – try typing away on a wet screen and see how far you get! But why not make an intentional decision to make it a place where you can completely zone out? Just like that carefully chosen squishy yoga mat upon which you stretch and forget all your worries and the specially selected garden chair where you like to journal amid nature, your bathroom can offer moments of much-needed Zen in a busy life that can often feel relentless.
Indeed, the shower is the unsung hero of our 'always on' world, allowing even the most screen-addicted of us some respite from the average of more than three hours per day spent tapping away on our smartphones. In our modern world, the shower is no longer a place where you simply just scrub yourself clean, but also a dedicated space to tune out the noise – be that the ping of an email notification or that new reel your friend just posted – and focus on your wellbeing. Here are four things you can do that will help you rely on your smartphone less – and make the most of your time in the shower.
We all know that the less you're able to glance at your screen, the better. If your Google or Amazon smart speaker has already roused you from a deep slumber, then use the same device to switch on your Mira digital shower from the comfort of your bed by using your voice alone. This hands-free command will signal it to power up to your customised setting – ready with your preferred temperature and sprays – so that you can allow your Zen to keep flowing as you make your way to the bathroom. Want to tweak the settings to align with a change of mood? Head with intention to your Mira Showers app before returning to soak in the offline world. Heaven!
The shower is the perfect place to close your eyes in the evening after a busy day – allowing a sense of calm and contentment to wash over you for a moment or two. One key element for elevating this everyday experience into your very own daily 'spa' is the type of showerhead you use. The rainfall-style overhead Mira Beat 25cm Deluge creates an indulgent waterfall effect that practically transports you to a tropical island. Another powerful tweak? Consider your aesthetic – for you, not social media. Stylish tiling, luscious plants and premium toiletries can be let down by tired-looking shower fixtures. But Mira's black shower range – featuring finishes from matt black to sleek black onyx – makes a stunning statement that will no doubt lift your mood every time you enter the bathroom.
Another factor to really ensure you leave the world outside the bathroom door behind for a while is to turn up the heat. Be certain of stepping into steamy temperatures every time with the Mira Beacon shower, which comes fitted with sleek HydroGlo technology – featuring an indicator that lights up when your shower reaches your desired temperature. Better still, upgrade your wellness further with a little help from the digital Mira Activate with ColdBoost shower, which allows you to explore cold showering at your own pace (whether you are looking for beginner-friendly or advanced immersion) – which has been linked to enhanced mood and boosted alertness – from the comfort of your own home. Simply select one of the presets – ranging from one to three minutes, a fraction of the time you while away online – at an intensity that suits you.
If your device is hanging over you with unanswered messages and calendar appointments, then take some of the pressure off by adding a different kind of pressure in the shower. Enjoy the meditative hydro massage that comes with the Mira Platinum digital shower range – a smart set-up whose flow is controlled by a wireless LED controller. The Mira Switch four spray showerhead allows you to simply adjust from one experience to another – from 'saturate' to 'soothe', it can be tailored to however you are feeling. Because there is no one-size-fits-all when you simply want to get away from it all.
Head to Mira Showers to discover the full range of showers available and how to get one installed by Mira-approved experts for complete peace of mind