Wet shaving for stress relief, or what Leonard Cohen learned from his mother

Leonard Cohen and the Art of Shaving: Relaxation instead of stress

Everyone has their own way of coping with stress – be it through exercise, chocolate, or other habits. Leonard Cohen, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter, found his own personal method: wet shaving.

Leonard Cohen's secret: shaving as a ritual

Even as a young boy, Cohen was advised by his mother to shave whenever he felt stressed or overwhelmed. He took this advice to heart and used shaving throughout his life as a tool to find peace, clarity, and inner balance.

A striking example: In 1972 in Jerusalem, Cohen broke off a concert because he felt empty and disconnected. While the audience began singing Hebrew songs, Cohen withdrew, lit a cigarette, and shaved. Shortly afterward, he returned to the stage with renewed energy and continued playing to thunderous applause.

Wet shaving as a stress reliever

History vividly illustrates that shaving can be far more than mere grooming. It's a ritual that helps clear the mind and reduce stress. With calm, mindfulness, and the right grooming products, wet shaving can become a moment of mindfulness.

In his song "Dress Rehearsal Rag, " Cohen also addresses the feeling of experiencing unshaven days as stressful. For him, shaving was a kind of new beginning – every single time.

Inspiration for everyday life

What can we learn from this?

1. Good advice from your mother should be taken seriously.

2. A conscious wet shave can help lower stress levels and gain new energy.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the life and thoughts of Leonard Cohen will find many more inspiring anecdotes in the biography I'm Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen by Sylvie Simmons.