Welcome back, my people! Another Thursday is here again, and as usual, Nigeria has refused to give anybody a break. But don’t worry, this Chronicle is not about fuel price, NEPA, or one senator saying what he shouldn’t say. Today, we are entering the bathroom. Yes, the place where peace, reflection, and unnecessary overthinking happen simultaneously.
Now, something has been trending quietly in conversations, health talks, and even on TikTok: the rule of bathing from your legs upward. At first, I thought it was one of those random wellness trends, like drinking warm lemon water at 5 a.m. to “reset your system” or eating ginger like you’re fighting for a belt title. But after reading, listening, and observing, I realized there’s actually some sense, and humor, in this whole “start from your legs first” matter.
You know Nigerians, we don’t joke with bathing. Bath time is a full ritual. Whether you’re using shower, bucket, or sachet water that now costs more than pure water should cost, you will still bathe with dignity. But most of us have a natural routine: pour water on the head first like you’re baptizing yourself, let everything soak, and then continue the journey downward. Meanwhile, health experts somewhere are shaking their heads like, “No, dear. That is not how the human body works.”
Apparently, the body has its own preferences, imagine! They say starting from your legs upward improves circulation, helps your nerves adjust slowly to water temperature, and reduces the risk of sudden shock to the system. In simple Nigerian English: start from your legs, so your body will not cause confusion for you.
Think about it, that shocking moment when cold water hits your chest or back without warning. You’re there jumping up and down like a faulty generator. Your ancestors are watching like, “Who sent this child?” But starting from your legs? Ah, the process becomes smooth. It’s like greeting the body politely before disturbing it with full water.
Even warm water behaves somehow. If you pour warm water suddenly on your upper body, your chest will give one small “gbim” like it’s reminding you that you have responsibilities. But warming the body from the legs up helps it adjust gently. It’s basically telling your cardiovascular system, “Relax, I’m not here to fight.”
And then there’s the sensory part. The nerve endings in the legs help send signals upward, preparing your whole body to receive water. So if you’ve ever wondered why some people come out of the bathroom looking refreshed and ready to take over the world, maybe their secret is not expensive soap, maybe they’re just following bathroom protocol.
But let’s be honest: some Nigerians bathe as if they are fighting generational curses. They will start with the head, scrub like they’re on assignment, and by the time they reach the legs, half of the bathroom water has already disappeared into destiny. Meanwhile, others bathe like they are performing slow-motion music video scenes; pouring water gently, humming, thinking about life choices, reevaluating relationships, calculating bills, and even planning escape routes from Nigeria.
Yet, no matter your style, the bathroom will humble you. That moment when soap enters your eye and you suddenly start confessing sins you did not commit. Or when you hear a sound outside and you freeze like, “If this is NEPA bringing light, let me hurry!” Bathing in Nigeria is an extreme sport.
Still, this whole leg-up bathing method is not only scientific; it’s quite symbolic. It teaches patience, gentleness, and starting from the foundation. In life, like in bathing, starting small is not a downgrade; it’s preparation. You don’t pour cold water on your dreams; you build from the ground up.
So next time you enter the bathroom, before you rush to baptize your head, remember your body is not a generator you’re trying to jumpstart. Start from the legs. Your heart will thank you. Your nerves will thank you. Even your ancestors might nod in approval.
At the end of the day, whether you bathe like a calm river or like a warrior preparing for battle, make sure you’re taking care of yourself. Nigeria is already stressful; the least you can do is let your bathroom time be peaceful and healthy.
And that’s today’s Thursday Chronicle, my people.
Same time, same vibe, same premium gist next week. Stay clean, stay healthy, and for the love of everything good, start from your legs.
