Smarter: You Could Be Showering Too Long
How long does it take for you to shower? In our Instagram poll, more than half of the 1,210 participants said it takes them 5 to 10 minutes.
On the two ends of the spectrum, however, 36 percent said their showers last more than 10 minutes, while only 10 percent said they take less than 5 minutes.
This week, I’m examining how shorter showers might be better for us. Also in this issue: The truth about skin spots, and what happens if you shut off your car in the middle of driving.
THE BIG STORY:
‘Shower Thoughts’Every once in a while I realize that something I’ve been doing my whole life might be, well, the wrong thing. Like the way I was cutting my toenails. Or how I was using too much detergent and way too little sunscreen.
Recently, I had that realization with showers; that as much as I enjoy long showers and how relaxing they can be, there are many benefits to taking shorter ones.
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
It’s no big secret that companies are collecting, buying, and selling our data all the time. To protect your privacy, Consumer Reports has developed Permission Slip, an app that helps you take back the data that companies are buying and selling behind your back.
Permission Slip is now available on iOS (and coming soon to Android). Download it to see what types of information companies are collecting from you and send them requests to stop selling your data or delete it entirely.
MUST-READS OF THE WEEK
⏰ The Best Time to Weigh Yourself
Is it the morning, the afternoon, or the evening?
🧳 12 Gifts for the Traveler on Your List
A portable massage gun and travel-friendly sock-style slippers are picks not to miss.
😴 The Lowdown on 5 Weighted Blankets, According to Consumer Reports’ Tests
Can they really help you sleep? Here’s what the research says.
🕵️ The Truth about Skin Spots
Know when the spots are benign and when you should see a doctor.
YUP, WE ACTUALLY TRIED THIS
Question:
What happens if you turn off your car when you’re in the middle of driving?
Answer:
Your engine will turn off, but your steering and brakes will continue to work, according to CR test driver Ryan Pszczolkowski, who bravely attempted this on a gas-only Ford Maverick and a hybrid Maverick at our test track.
It turns out there’s a very good reason for this seemingly strange feature. It’s a safety design that allows you to cut power to the engine and pull the vehicle over to the side of the road in case your car is on fire or experiencing a mechanical failure.
So yes, it’s totally possible to shut off a car while it’s moving, but it’s very rare that you’ll have to do so, and you should only do it during an emergency.
Have a question you want to ask? Send your question and you might get featured in Smarter.
THE GOOD STUFF
Here are five things you probably didn’t know about EVs, including how they’ve been around since the 1880s.
Another fact you might not know: When we tested EV ranges in cold, mild, and warm temperatures, warm temps provided the longest ranges out of all the testing conditions.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Do you need a vitamin D supplement? Actually, probably not.
OUR BAD
In a previous issue of Smarter, I quizzed you on which drains your battery more, using WiFi or your data. At that time, I said performing data-intensive tasks over WiFi saps your battery power faster than using your cellular-data connection, but I was wrong. It’s the opposite, and I stand corrected.
So make sure to use WiFi instead of a cellular connection whenever possible, and check out more tips on how to extend your phone’s battery life.
"Showers are a construct."