Why baths are good for you

And while I felt like my on-the-verge-of-getting-a-cold symptoms clearing up about midway through the week of my experiment, Dr. Sunitha Posina , MD, a board-certified Internist from New York City, says more research is needed to see if baths can have long-term benefits for our immune systems. Initially, I was wary that these nightly hot baths would end up drying out my skin, especially in winter months.

It actually seemed to become more moisturized with fewer dry patches, which may be a result of the oils. One study found that when compared to non-oil-containing skin cleansers, bath oil was more effective in improving the skin barrier function for those with mild dry skin.

I'm also prone to getting skin irritations along my legs, and the baths helped soothe this and calm redness. If you have sensitive skin, it's best to turn the temperature down lukewarm is advised and follow the " Soak and Seal " method as suggested by the National Eczema Association, towel-drying lightly and leaving the skin slightly damp and then liberally applying moisturizer within three minutes.

By night three, I found myself relaxing to the point of dozing. In just a handful of sessions, my body seemed to be very into the idea of bath time equating bedtime. By night four, I began brushing my teeth and doing my skincare routine while the bathtub was filling up, so at the end of the bath, I could just lather up in lotion, put on pajamas, and get into bed.

Beyond just getting my body and mind to unwind for a shut-eye session, nightly baths greatly improved my sleep quality, starting the very first night. Climbing into bed after a hot bath, my body felt completely relaxed and sleepiness crept in much sooner.

The minor aches and pains that usually cause me to take several minutes to get comfortable and eventually fall asleep were completely soothed.

Studies have shown that a nightly hot bath and even a hot foot bath if you're unable to take a full bath facilitates earlier sleep onset. I sometimes suffer from restless legs and have been using a weighted blanket because of it and the hot baths helped ease the tension even more. Instead of waking up with a sore neck or tight joints, I felt like my younger, more agile self, stepping out of bed in the morning note to self to stretch more. According to Posina, a hot bath can even burn a few calories and may help lower your blood sugar.

One study found that taking a hot bath reduced peak blood sugar levels and caused energy expenditure to spike significantly. Physical and mental effects of bathing: a randomized intervention study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Toward establishment of temperature thresholds for immunological impact of heat exposure in humans.

Int J Hyperthermia. Effects of hot deep seawater bathing on the immune cell distribution in peripheral blood from healthy young men. Environ Health Prev Med. The effectiveness of using a bath oil to reduce signs of dry skin: A randomized controlled pragmatic study. Int J Nurs Stud. Before-bedtime passive body heating by warm shower or bath to improve sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sleep Med Rev. The effect of passive heating on heat shock protein 70 and interleukin A possible treatment tool for metabolic diseases?

Thank you [email] for signing up. Please enter a valid email address. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Byrdie. Are you thinking of a simple exercise for the elderly? Bathtime are also ideal for the senior citizen because falls, trips, and slips are almost non-existent during this activity. Also, spa bathing helps reduce pains linked with osteoarthritis, which worsens with age.

Medications might help relieve the pain of an anal fissure or hemorrhoid. However, taking a warm bath will also make you feel better as the heat lessens the pain. Take a warm minute bath after a long workout and you can add Epsom salt for more relief. Experts also recommend that you use as chamomile, witch hazel, arnica, oak bark or tea tree oil.

However, avoid soap because it irritates the lining of the anus. According to studies , when combined with breathing exercises, massage and hot baths can help alleviate labor pains. Furthermore, bathing does not harm mothers during labor or birth. Some cultures even recommend bathing in natural ingredients for quick recovery.

It even speeds up the healing of fissures linked with the birth process. It also deals with symptoms that come with cold and flu. One of the 20 health benefits of taking a cold bath is its cancer-fighting abilities. According to studies, spending some time in a bathtub filled with cold water can improve cell damage and cut your chances of suffering some types of cancer.

Submerging in cold water can help with health issues linked with hormonal imbalance. These include chronic fatigue syndrome and some fertility problems. It also enables glands to secrete hormones such as cortisol, beta-endorphin, or ACTH in balanced form. Serotonin is noted for giving us feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Everyone is attracted to supple skin, healthy hair, and bright eyes. You can have these natural features by hydrating your skin by drinking water.

However, bathing also has a similar effect because the human body has high water content. Bathing with special salts or oils can further improve your natural features. You can even take a dip in a pool or the natural body of water to get the same results. Hot water baths cleanse the skin because it opens the pores which cause sweating. Alternatively, your skin constricts during cold showers, thereby closing pores and moisturizing your skin. Although your skin might become clean, its pores might need cleansing.

Air pollution, toxins, and dirt clog these tiny holes, which result in acne and blackheads. First, to have healthy pores, you need to wash with hot water to open them and remove dirt. Sadly, open pores clogged easily. But you can open them as mentioned above by washing your skin with cold water. Handling your body temperature might be confusing. But with a simple bath, you can easily get the optimal body temperature required by your body. For instance, relaxing in cold water on a hot day can make you less sweaty and comfortable.

Next, a short period in a hot bathtub on a cold day can take the chills away. Overall, research has shown that bathing in either cold or hot water bathtub or water bodies can give you the ideal temperature you deserve. However, if you have preexisting health condition, you should seek advice from your doctor before going into the water.

Headaches and Migraines can be blamed on narrow blood vessels and can make anyone feel miserable for most parts of the day. However, take a hot shower to stop the pain because the water reduces the pressure that causes the pain. This serves as one of the best remedies that might reduce your need for aspirin. Are you looking for a simple way to keep your heart in good health? Then consider bathing in warm water because it makes your heart beat faster.

Warm baths enhance blood circulation in all parts of your body as it reduces blood thickness and helps the vessels perform better. Apart from helping you with blood circulation, bathing plays a significant role in tackling heart-related conditions. According to research, hot water baths can help lower high blood pressure. However, you should consult your doctor before spending time in a hot water tub. If he gives you a pass, ensure that you use only hot water baths and not showers for medical reasons.

After the physical activity, you can erase the discomfort by stepping into a hot water bath which is ideal for aches and pain.

Do your muscles feel tight and sore? Although this was a small, limited study with only 38 participants, the results were compelling. Types of baths that are good for you include the following:.

Sitting in warm water that only comes up to around your hips and lower buttocks is called a sitz bath. A sitz bath is a great home remedy to promote healing of your perineum after giving birth.

It can also be used to treat:. An oatmeal bath may be used to relieve symptoms of eczema and psoriasis , and to soothe redness and inflammation on your skin.

A bath with a few drops of essential oils can be used to calm your mind and soothe tired muscles. Lavender and eucalyptus are especially relaxing. Hot showers produce steam and warmth, which can soothe muscles and release toxins, while cooler showers can help burn fat and boost immunity. Showering, particularly cold showers, may boost your immune system.

A study showed that taking hot-to-cold showers, in which you start with hot water before decreasing the temperature, resulted in adults taking fewer sick days over the course of a year. Showers can improve circulation under your skin, also known as vasoconstriction. Showers that start at a lukewarm temperature and are adjusted to gradually get colder have been suggested to stimulate your nervous system, promote endorphins, and help improve symptoms of depression.

Showers may also deliver an immune-system boost if you turn the water to the cold setting for the last several minutes of your routine. The majority of people crank the handle all the way up. But did you know…. It can be hard to know how often should you shower. Showering too much can leave your skin dry and itchy.