Face Off: Cold Showers vs Hot Showers
Cold and hot showers each have health benefits, but which one is best for you? We’re here to discuss the benefits of both so that you’re ready to choose your next shower type.
Benefits of taking a cold shower include:
- To calm itchy skin
- It wakes you up and invigorates you
- It increases blood circulation
- Reduces muscle soreness post-workout
- It gives your hair and skin a glow
- Enhances immunity
The cons of cold showers:
- Cold showers might not be a good idea if you’re already cold, since it’ll increase the amount of time it will take for your body to warm back up.
- They’re a no-no if you’re sick. The cold temperature might be too hard on your immune system, so it’s best to ease into the cooler temperatures.
Benefits of taking a hot shower include:
If sleep at night or relaxation don’t come to you easily, you might be tempted to take a hot shower to ease the stress of the day. That’s because they’re calming and your body knows that.
It’s a common practice for muscle relaxation before bed because hot showers activate the parasympathetic nervous system which makes us tired.
Other benefits of hot showers include:
- Relief from respiratory symptoms
- Helping with blemishes
- Muscle relaxation and stress relief
The cons of hot showers:
- Hot showers can be drying for your skin and increase irritability.
- They’re not suitable for all skin types, especially ones that are already affected by certain skin conditions, like eczema. They will worsen under hot water.
- They can make your blood pressure shoot up. If you are prone to high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, taking a shower that’s too hot can worsen these conditions.
Verdict: Most experts agree that taking a lukewarm shower is probably best! Cold showers can help you wake up and hot showers can be great for relaxation so depending on your mood, stress level and activities planned after the shower, you can make a choice. However, you should avoid taking extremely cold or extremely hot showers, as doing so could be harmful to health.
Showering is an important part of our daily routine and all it should do is make you feel better. That’s why we’ve designed a range of eco-friendly shower heads with features like an instant start/stop button so you stop the flow without having to reach for the valve and maintain your desired temperature.
