I prefer to shower. I only soak in the bath if I'm ill. The frequency depends on work and whatever else is happening that day so it could be a morning shower, three in the afternoon before anyone else comes home shower or an evening one if I've had errands to run after work.
For me it depends. When I'm in a plateau period and feeling normal, I bath first thing on awakening while my coffee is brewing. When I'm manic I need to bathe more frequently due to excessive physical exertion. When I'm depressed, I really let myself go... not only can I not be arsed making the effort, I actually use not washing as an excuse to punish myself. Sucks, but that's the reality of it. I don't think your habits smack of OCD at all... especially given the climate you live in. When I was in the topics, I constantly felt grimy, and felt compelled to shower whenever I had the opportunity.
You know, having a daily routine is not OCD. In fact, it's a key part of stress management. It's only when it's taken to extremes that it becomes OCD, when it impedes your ability to function in your work and social life.
Like when your mother empties the waste paper basket, puts a clean bin bag in there and then won't let you put any rubbish in there for at least three days because "I've just put a clean bag in there!" Or when she goes shopping at the supermarket, she wears gloves because of the germs on the trolley handle!
I only shower. I usually shower every morning before work, but some days I'll feel lazy and think 'nah, I'm good', so I sometimes skip a day. Once in the shower I have a very specific routine: full body rinse, turn water off; shampoo, rinse, turn water off; face cleaner, hair conditioner, body wash, rinse, turn water off. Always in this order. If I decide to not wash my hair that day because I'm straightening it or something like that, I'll skip the shampoo and the conditioner, but the remaining items are always in the same order. What can I say? I enjoy stability
I have a similar routine in the shower. I apply shower gel and then clean in a specific order; heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes. Then eyes and ears and mouth and nose.
I'll usually shower in the morning unless I have to be up at some ungodly hour, then I'll shower the night before.
