Deciding when to take a shower can affect not only our physical well-being, but also the overall course of the day or night. While some look for energy in the morning refreshment to start the work process, others like the evening shower as the key to relaxation and relaxation after a hard day. Which choice is right for you?
Every person has different hygiene habits. Especially for new couples, it can be a shock at first. While some can’t imagine going to bed without a good shower or bath, others prefer morning hygiene to get them started for the new day. How do you do it at home and what do scientists recommend?
Hot shower in the evening for better sleep
„When it comes to sleep, a warm shower in the evening will help,“ says Robert Oexman, a chiropractor and sleep consultant. He explained that at night, our body’s natural circadian rhythms cause our body temperature to drop, essentially telling our brains that it’s time to wind down and go to sleep.
“As we approach our normal bedtime, our body temperature begins to drop. Just before we wake up, it starts rising again and acts as one of the signals to our brain that it’s time to wake up and start the day,“ Oexman described to the Huffingtonpost.
“A shower or warm bath in the evening can improve sleep by enhancing the reduction in body temperature necessary to initiate and maintain sleep during the night. The ideal time interval between shower and sleep is half an hour or less,” he explained.
Although some people claim that a cold shower helps them sleep better, doctors do not have a scientific explanation for this. „Studies have shown that cold temperatures activate brown adipose tissue, which has been shown to ‚generate sleep-promoting signals.‘ It may make sense to me personally, but clinically it’s probably not the best course of action. „Being too cold before bed can increase body temperature by reducing blood flow to the skin and promoting shivering, which increases body temperature and may negate any benefit from the small amount of brown adipose tissue that will activate sleep-promoting signals,“ Oexman said.
Cold showers in the morning, on the other hand, can help people get rid of that „sleepiness“ that characterizes almost everyone’s morning, whether they had a good night’s rest or not.
For skin without difference
When it comes to the skin, according to dermatologist Julia Carroll, the effects of showering remain unchanged no matter what time a person chooses to shower.
“Showering helps to get rid of dirt, oil and other environmental pollutants. That’s also why an evening shower might be more suitable, but from the skin’s point of view, it’s really a personal choice.“
On the contrary, he points out the harmful effects of excessive showering, as it can dry out the skin. „It’s important to know that showering too often, especially with hot water, can reduce the skin’s natural moisturization, leading to dryness and irritation,“ she warned.
“In all cases, therefore, it is important to use gentle, non-irritating cleansers and moisturize the skin after showering, regardless of the time of day. The water should be warm rather than hot, it can also help preserve the natural sebum.”
Carroll also points out that many people may not have time to properly hydrate after a morning shower, which could work in favor of evening hygiene. „People are often short on time in the morning, so they don’t do a thorough job, including the most important step, which is moisturizing after the shower.“
Water temperature affects stress levels
Cold showers can lead to an increase in cortisol, a hormone that the body releases when stressed. „Cold showers help increase cortisol levels because they stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s ‚fight or flight‘ response,“ a Texas Health Resources study revealed.
„This response can increase heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels in the body, all of which can help improve alertness and focus.“
A cold shower also stimulates the release of adrenaline, a hormone that can increase heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate, according to research. „All of this, in turn, can help improve mental alertness,“ the research found.
Hot showers are also helpful, according to BayCare, a health care system in Florida. This practice is associated with reduced stress levels, the aforementioned improved sleep, relief from symptoms of congestion, increased blood flow, and reduced pain and inflammation.
