How Long Do You Spend in the Shower?

According to an article at GreenBiz.com, the company Unilever's push toward sustainability encountered a major obstacle in changing people's habits: the amount of time folks took to take a shower. Many of us not only shower too frequently (there is evidence that suggests that daily showers are not always good for us), but many of us also spend far too long in the shower.

In Australia during a 10-year drought, a lot of people restricted themselves to two-minute showers. When I was on the Mercy Ship Anastasis, we restricted ourselves to three-minute showers because of the shortage of water. Now, I never actually place a stopwatch in the shower, but it did teach me a habit that I have never gotten over.

How long we spend in the shower may not seem like a justice issue, but it could be, and even more so in the future. As I read about the concern that the wars of the future may be over limited water rather than land, I am glad that I am able to at least make this small contribution.

So my question for you -- how long do you spend in the shower, and do you think it matters?

Christine Sine is executive director of Mustard Seed Associates and author of several books including GodSpace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life. She describes herself as a contemplative activist encouraging a way of life that interweaves spiritual practices with concern for justice and environmentalism. She blogs at GodSpace.