this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
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Today I Learned

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If there’s anything we’ve learned from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s that washing our hands is one of the best ways to protect ourselves from the dangers of contagion. But hand washing does much more than cleanse us physically; sometimes it can wipe our mental slate clean. Here are some examples of what a bit of soap can do for our psyches.

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[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 24 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

"I'm going to wash my hands of it." is something we've all probably heard at some point. I wondered if there was anything behind the saying. Turns out there is.

[–] Davel23@fedia.io 11 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure that's just a reference to Pontius Pilate.

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Perhaps at some point, but my grandmother used to say it when she was fed up with something and I can guarantee she wasn't referencing anything to do with ancient Rome.

[–] gadfly1999@lemm.ee 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It’s a biblical reference that was set in ancient Rome.

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I understood the reference, but my grandmother (and others I've known who've said it) didn't give a crap about either the bible or ancient Rome.

[–] thefartographer@lemm.ee 15 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Allow me to introduce you to my OCD

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I'd bet those benefits also come with a little hit of serotonin making hand washing slightly addictive.

[–] thefartographer@lemm.ee 2 points 4 months ago

It feels so soothing and is almost always worth the bloodied cracked knuckles

[–] SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 4 months ago

Seems like most of them are small sample sizes. I'd like to see some repeatable results, too.

[–] half@lemy.lol 6 points 4 months ago

Those are not the benefits I expected to read haha. I just use it as a nice mindful moment to notice the warm water and smell of the soap. It's a pretty good check in during the day for me.

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

I guess having anxiety and eczema is a bad combo then, because either my brain or my hands are getting irritated

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I am assuming you tried milder soaps and lotion after

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I use Cerave lotion as needed, just annoying having greasy hands sometimes. I also occasionally wear gloves overnight with either Vaseline or sometimes a steroid cream when things get real bad.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I used to have issues and some adjustments pretty much solved it but there are limits... Some people just fucking dry lol

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

I hate to say it but I think my dog is to blame. I was pretty much entirely I symptom free before getting him. Seems to slowly abating year over year, though. I guess I’m getting used to all the dirt, fur, and dander.

[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

We need some studies about the benefits of hand washing while wearing rubber gloves. As easy as it is to fool ourselves I'd bet that those benefits still exist to some degree.

[–] amino@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

COVID is a horrible example to give for hand washing being effective as it's an airborne virus. like sure, handwashing is great for other viruses and will never hurt when doing COVID prevention but wearing a respirator is the actual best way to prevent contagion for anything airborne

[–] dan1101@lemm.ee 5 points 4 months ago

That is true but what happens when you sneeze into your hand and then touch a doorknob? Much better if you washed your hands first.

[–] not_woody_shaw@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

"Out, damned spot!"