Some of us like it hot, and some of us swear by the benefits of a cold. But nobody can deny how good a good bath can make us feel. Whether you’ve just had a rough day at work or just want to feel more refreshed for the day ahead, a shower can soothe your body, mind, and soul.
That’s probably why Dave Hoffman set a Guinness World Record for taking a 174-hour shower. In addition to leaving us fragrant and ready to conquer the day, bathing has other health benefits that many of us are unaware of.
We searched the internet for scientific reasons why you should be more excited about showering.
It Keeps You In Shape
We have good news for you if you want to easily melt away some extra calories. Taking a cold shower can help boost weight loss. Consistent with this claim, brown fat cells generate heat by burning fat when exposed to cold conditions, such as in the shower.
It Lowers Your Blood Sugar
Bathing can lower blood sugar, sometimes better than exercise. While this isn’t an invitation to stop exercising, one study shows that when participants took a hot shower instead of exercising, their post-meal peak blood sugar level was about 10% lower.
While the overall blood sugar response to both activities was similar, it’s worth noting that it had a significant effect on post-meal blood sugar levels.
It Can Help Alleviate Dry Or Congested Sinuses
If you’re tired of waking up with a stuffy nose and a headache every morning, consider taking a hot shower to soothe your sinuses. It practically works like a humidifier or breathing over a bowl of hot water.
Without going into heavy graphic detail, steam can help clear your nasal passages and throat, allowing you to breathe easier and feel less stuffy.
It Can Relieve Anxiety
If you’re having a bad day, one of the best solutions would be to take a long, relaxing bubble bath. If that’s not feasible, a quick hot shower would suffice.
In addition to providing smooth and clean skin, bathing in hot water can reduce anxiety and stress due to the release of oxytocin. This hormone is known to be related to anti-stress effects.
It Loosens Up Stiff Muscles
Simple and effective home therapy for muscle recovery is relaxing in a hot tub. Normal people and researchers trust this practice because it relieves muscle tension throughout the body and improves blood circulation. This results in more flexible muscles and a greater range of motion.
What is your perfect bath ritual? Let us know in the comments.
Preview photo credit depositphotos.com
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