"Basa ka sa ulan? Maligo ka agad!" 👵🏻
If you grew up in the Philippines, you've probably heard this a hundred times. Mom said it. Lola definitely said it. And if you came home soaked to the bone, someone was already pointing you toward the shower.
Is there actually something to it, though?
Turns out, yes, just not for the reason you were told. Rain doesn't cause colds. Colds come from viruses, not from getting wet, so getting caught in a downpour on its own won't make you sick.
But showering after being drenched is definitely still worth doing. ✅
For one, rainwater isn't exactly clean. It can pick up dust, pollutants, and whatever else it encounters on the way down, and standing around in wet clothes afterward means keeping all that dampness against your skin for hours. A shower washes it all off.
It also helps you warm back up. Being wet for too long, especially in an air-conditioned room, can leave you feeling chilled. A warm (not scalding) shower is a simple way to get comfortable again.
Then there's your skin. Showering after the rain gives you a chance to cleanse gently before changing into something dry, and moisturizing afterward matters too, especially if your skin tends to get irritated. I like a few drops of Oleia Lavender Oil once I'm out of the shower 🪻 It gives my skin some extra moisture, and the lavender scent is a nice bonus while I'm settling back into something warm.
So next time someone says, "Maligo ka agad, nabasa ka sa ulan!" they're not wrong, they're just aiming at the wrong reason. 😂 The shower isn't preventing a cold. It's simply a good way to rinse off the day, warm up, and give yourself a little care after getting caught out in the rain.
Honestly, with the kind of rain we've been having, I think we've all earned that shower.
Show me your bottle and I'll show you mine. 'Til next time! 💜
xo, L.
