10 Major Health Reasons to Take a Hot Bath or Shower

10 Major Health Reasons to Take a Hot Bath or Shower

Taking a hot bath has been scientifically proven to be beneficial to our minds, bodies, and skin.

Here are ten reasons to ignore the irritable child, pour you a glass of wine, purchase an electric instant water heater, and relax in a long hot bath or shower:

1. Helps to lower blood sugar levels

Walking. A hot bath could be exactly what you need to control your blood sugar and burn calories. Loughborough University researchers investigated the impact of a hot bath on blood sugar control (an important measure of metabolic fitness) and energy expenditure in a recent study (number of calories burned). They enlisted the help of 14 men, each of whom spent one hour in a hot bath. They then compared the number of calories burned during each session and measured their blood sugar for 24 hours after each trial. Bathing burned about as many calories as a half-hour walk (around 140 calories). Both conditions had a similar overall blood sugar response. Bye-bye, gym.

2. Get to sleep faster

The body relaxes and we are better prepared to fall asleep when we are in hot water. When a tense body enters a warm bath, the hot water warms the body and relaxes the muscles. Muscle relaxation benefits us not only physically but also mentally. However, only 20 minutes are required, and be careful not to fall asleep in the tub!

3. Helps to lower blood pressure

Bathing in a hot tub has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure.

This is a fantastic system for people who have or don't have heart problems. However, if you have a heart condition, consult your doctor first because a hot bath will also increase the rate of your heartbeat. If your doctor says it's okay, it's a great way to lower your blood pressure.

4. Muscle tension is relieved

Hot showers can help to relieve stress and relax tense muscles. Even better if you have a powerful shower head! Allow the hot water to work on your shoulders, neck, and back like a mini-massage.

5. Your skin will be cleaner and healthier

A good soak in hot water, whether in a bath or a shower, can help to open up our skin's pores. If the water is clean, it can also help to remove some of the dirt and toxins from our skin. The end result is skin that is brighter and cleaner.

6. Keeps our skin hydrated

Although we may not enjoy the wrinkled skin that results from a hot bath, it does have a beneficial effect. Warm water keeps the skin hydrated for longer, preventing it from drying out and cracking.

7. It improves circulation

Dip your body in hot water up to your neck as a form of blood vessel exercise. This is because water exerts physical pressure on the body, increasing our heart's capacity. To put it another way, when we're in the water, our hearts beat faster and harder. Consider this a light exercise, and just a few dips a week will give your heart a good workout.

8. Helps in the relief of cold/flu symptoms

Because hot steam moisturizes nasal passages, a hot shower also acts as a natural decongestant to relieve cold symptoms. Taking a 10-minute hot-soak break can also help you feel better while your body heals.

9. It relieves headaches      

The narrowing of blood vessels in the head is what causes the majority of headaches. The beneficial effect of hot water on our blood vessels can be used to reduce blood vessel pressure and cure headaches.

10. It makes us feel good about ourselves        

Take a nice warm shower after a stressful day and try to relax, as it is well known that when we feel better physically, we feel more confident in ourselves and are more convinced that we are up to the challenges ahead. A hot bath can also help to relieve daily anxiety and make us feel better in general.

As you can see, there are numerous advantages to taking a hot shower or bath on a regular basis to improve our quality of life.