The Bath Vs Shower Debate – Which Is Best?

The choice of taking a bath or a shower should depend on your own personal requirements and hygiene priorities – so, it’s really up to you.

But which is better for you? A shower or a bath? 

We posted some social media polls and did some internet “digging” to find the answers to these questions and more.

You may or may not be shocked to discover that our audience loves a good shower!

But is that the best way to keep clean? We decided to find out!

#TeamBath

#TeamShower


@sophies.home.life

@oakappledecor

Is It Better To Take A Shower Or A Bath?

It’s a tough question.

After all, it depends what you’re trying to achieve and how you define “better”. 

Want to relax? You’ll probably take a bath, right? 

But is a shower ever as relaxing as a bubble bath? That’s what we’re asking. 

Are baths better or worse for your health than a refreshing and invigorating shower? 

Is there one method of getting clean that’s more beneficial? 

Well, sort of, we guess…

Both baths and showers have their own health benefits and lead to the same outcome – getting clean. 

So let’s explore the benefits of both to find out which is best!

Is A Shower Or A Bath Better At Getting You Clean?

Taking a shower will get you cleaner than a bath can. 

Is that obvious? We’re pretty sure you knew that. But it’s true.

Why? Well…

In a shower, water mixes with soap or your favourite shower gel and helps to break up the oils, dirt and sweat that’s accumulated on your skin.

Water hits your body evenly in a shower and washes the dirt away from you and down the drain.

In a bath, some of us can’t get the idea of “sitting in our own filth” out of our heads – and in a bath, that’s pretty much what you do.

So, if you want to be as clean as possible, you should definitely be opting to take a shower over a bath.

Can A Bath Be More Beneficial Than A Shower?

The short answer is, yes, in terms of your health and well-being a bath is better than a shower. 

Showers may be better at cleaning you than a bath can be, but that does not mean that a beautiful bath time isn’t good for you too. 

Baths can help to exfoliate your skin, stimulate your nervous system and are great at helping you to relax. 

In fact, a Japanese study discovered that the health benefits of taking a warm bath far outweigh those of taking a shower. 

The research delved into the benefits of taking a hot bath compared to taking a shower, and asked people to report back on their physical and mental well-being after each.

Although showering is the most common way of getting ourselves clean, according to the results of the study, the benefits of a hot bath should not be underplayed.

It found that people who bathed more often than they showered were more inclined to feel happy in themselves, had a better nights sleep and suffered less with stress and anxiety. 

But, the study didn’t stop there. 

It also found that taking a bath helped improve a person’s metabolic rate too – meaning people who take regular baths could be onto a weightloss idea that many of us shower lovers have missed!

It stated that baths are great for your heart rate and can be beneficial for people with heart conditions and physical disabilities and that baths can help to give your entire musculoskeletal system a recharge; alleviating the stress in your joints and muscles.

So, can a bath be more beneficial than a shower? 

Yes!

In relieving pain, reducing stress, and perhaps helping you to lose weight – while still keeping you clean – they win, this round.

Other Advantages Of A Bath Over A Shower

A standard bath, filled with water is one thing, but there are several variations on the bath time theme that perhaps you haven’t considered. 

Sure, hot baths do a good job of relaxing you, but you can approach a bath in several different ways – each of which offers a little extra than a shower can. 

Baths can be a great delivery system for all sorts of ingredients that are good for your health too.

Check out these “alternative” bath ideas and you’ll be milking up bathtime like Cleopatra in no time.

Oatmeal Baths

Oatmeal baths have been used to treat a range of incurable skin ailments for a long time. 

One such skin condition – that doesn’t have a cure – is Eczema, and an oatmeal bath can be great at reducing the swelling and itchiness caused by it.

Check out our helpful article on Oatmeal baths and how they can be of benefit to you!

romatherapy Baths

Essential oils have long been known to help relax and calm your mind and body and a few drops in a steaming hot bath can soothe tired muscles and chill you out. 

Eucalyptus and Lavender are the two most common essential oils used at bath time, but you wouldn’t go wrong with Camomile or Lemon oil either.

Milk Baths

You may have heard how Cleopatra kept herself looking young by bathing in Ass’s milk to cleanse her skin and give herself a radiant glow. 

But is there any truth to the milk bath myth? 

Well, yes. 

The benefits of a milk bath can vary based on the type of milk you choose, and these days there are several options to choose from.

From coconut milk that is filled with lauric acid – which features in many skin care products – to buttermilk that’s a great anti-wrinkle solution, there are several milks you can use in a soothing bath.

Sitz Bath

This is a slightly more medical type of bath than any of the others above, and is often prescribed to new mums to help soothe issues arising from childbirth. 

A Sitz bath is a warm and shallow bath that is used to cleanse the perineum – that’s the little bit of flesh between your bum and your genitals – and they’re great at soothing itchiness and irritation caused by hemorrhoids too. 

There are kits that you can buy to use while sitting on the loo, or you can create one in your bathtub at home by putting about 4-6 centimetres of warm water in the bath and lowering your rear end over the side and into the water. 

With a Sitz bath, you only want to put your bottom in the bathtub and avoid getting anything but your bum wet. 

Sit(z) there for a few minutes to cleanse the area before patting (not rubbing) yourself dry to soothe the perineum. 

dvantages Of A Shower Over A Bath

So it’s pretty clear from the research we’ve found that baths have an advantage over showers in terms of relaxing you and offering a couple of medicinal uses too.

But surely showers have their own benefits too, right? 

Well, yes, and they are many and varied and shouldn’t be overlooked.

We take both hot and cold showers depending on our mood and the type of day we’re experiencing, and there are benefits to both. 

A hot shower will produce heat and steam – elements that will soothe muscles and help to release toxins in your skin. 

Colder showers can help to boost your immune system and even burn fat (which means I am taking cold showers from now on!).

Go From Hot TO Cold To Stay Healthy

This amazing study highlighted that people who took hot-to-cold showers were invariably healthier than those that did not. 

It showed that starting with hot water showers and decreasing the temperature resulted in the adults in the study taking fewer sick days off work over the course of a 12 month period. 

This is a sort of “response conditioning” that was designed to determine if repeated exposure to cold showers – over a 30 day period – had any sort of cumulative impact on a person’s wellness and health state. 

Though only a small study, it would suggest that hot-to-cold showers are more beneficial if you want to stay healthy!

Check out our guide to learn more about the benefits of hot and cold showers.

Take A Shower To Save Your Skin (And Your Hair!)

A shower will help to improve blood circulation under the skin.

This process is known as vasoconstriction and it controls how blood is distributed throughout your body.

A cold shower can stimulate the blood flow in your scalp – improving the look and feel of your hair and perhaps help with reducing baldness. 

It is this same process that helps to give your skin a “glowing” look, so is definitely something to consider before a night out or an important job interview – as a cold shower could help you look your best!

Cold Showers & The “Feel Good” Factor

It has been suggested that showers that start off at a moderate temperature – before being reduced to freezing cold – can help to wake up your nervous system and stimulate natural endorphins.

This approach has been prescribed for people suffering with depression and is notable for its simplicity – in that anyone with a shower can give it a try, and see if it has a positive impact on their mental health and well-being!

Should I Take A Bath Or A Shower?

As with all personal hygiene – and as the name suggests – it is your own personal preference that should determine if you take a bath or a shower. 

But, if you’re looking to relax, ease daily fatigue and perhaps treat chronic pain, you should probably take a bath for all three. 

For more effective daily cleansing of the skin – and for additional health benefits – a shower may be a better option.

Showers can also give you an immune-system boost and prevent a range of ailments if you switch from hot to cold for the last few minutes of your daily routine.

Which Team Are You On – #TeamBath or #TeamShower?

Tell us about your bath or shower routine in the comments below and follow our Instagram account to hear stories from people in both #TeamBath and #TeamShower camps to discover what the UK population prefers!

The post The Bath Vs Shower Debate – Which Is Best? written by John Lawless appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

What Are The Benefits Of Oatmeal Baths?

What are the benefits of oatmeal baths? – we answer all there is to know about oatmeal, how it helps skin and even expert commentary on why oatmeal helps to relieve skin conditions.

Oatmeal baths

What Are Oatmeal Baths?

Oatmeal has been used for skin care purposes since the Roman times. Today, oatmeal can be found in many organic skincare creams and bath soaps, including the world-famous Aveeno products.

It’s one of the best home remedies for irritated skin!

How Does Oatmeal Help Itchy Skin?

Itchy Skin

The benefits of oatmeal baths for skin conditions are quite amazing.

So, if you’re a sufferer of skin conditions such as eczema, dry skin or psoriasis. Then we are here to answer your skin care prayers!

There’s not many things in life that come close to the discomfort of itchy, sore skin that nothing can sooth or take the edge off. That is until we discovered the surprising effects of an Oatmeal bath.

What Are Oatmeal Baths Good For?

The top skin conditions that oatmeal baths have proven to relieve:

EczemaPsoriasisSunburnSevere Dry SkinDermatitisChicken PoxHivesInsect Bites

What Kind of Oatmeal Do You Use In An Oatmeal Bath?

Colloidal oatmeal is best for an oatmeal bath

The oats you put into an oatmeal bath are not the same oats you use in your morning porridge. Colloidal oats should be used in an oatmeal bath and can be found in your local supermarket, pharmacy, or health store.

How Does an Oatmeal Bath Help Itchy Skin?

So what are the benefits of an oatmeal bath? and how does it actually help itchy skin or other skin conditions?

Well, firstly colloidal oatmeal is used (as we mentioned above). Colloidal oatmeal will relieve irritated skin as it is made from natural oat grain or Avena sativa that is ground into fine powder and acts as a great anti-inflammatory.

Packed with vitamins (specifically vitamin E), minerals, fats and proteins that help heal the skin. Colloidal oatmeal works to bind the skin and create a protective skin barrier to help lock in moisture and reduce inflammation.

oatmeal acts as a protective skin barrier

Now you understand how Colloidal oatmeal can help the skin and soothe itchiness, it’s time to find out how to make your own oatmeal concoction.

How to Make Your Own Oatmeal?

Make sure you are using uncooked, whole oats that don’t have additives (Don’t be emptying your Quaker-Oats golden syrup into your bath).

Grind the oats up with a blender, food processor or anything you can get your hands on that will turn the oats into a finely ground powder.

Once they have been ground to dust, your oats are ready to be popped into the bath!

What Oatmeal Should I Use For My Child/Baby?

Baby with eczema

If your child/ baby is suffering with itchy, inflamed skin and you would like to try an oatmeal bath, Itchy Baby Co have a natural baby bath soak that has fantastic reviews.

Younger skin tends to be more sensitive and irritable than adult skin, so using a product with all natural, organic ingredients is a great option.

how oatmeal can relieve itchy baby skin

So, you now have your oats, it’s time to prepare your bath!

Please note, if you have purchased oats from a pharmacy/ health store they should come with instructions, and we would recommend following the directions on the package.

Now, back to the rest of you who purchased oats without a set of instructions…

How To Prepare an Oatmeal Bath to Soothe Itchy Skin?

Firstly, fill your bathtub with warm water (not hot water), remember not to add any soaps or bubble bath as this could cause more irritation to your skin.Pour half a cup of ground oats into the bath.Get in and soak in the oatmeal for around 15 minutes. This will give the skin enough time to absorb the nutrients – don’t soak for too long as your skin will dry out and make itching worse.Rinse off with warm water.Now carefully pat down your body, try your best not to rub as they towel could irritate the sore itchy skin.Finally apply organic, rich in vitamin E moisturiser to lock all the moisture in.

After one oatmeal bath you might notice the benefits; softer, smoother skin. However, it might take a week or so to really notice a significant difference.

How oatmeal can relieve itchy skin

Azza Halim, MD explains ‘You can take oatmeal baths twice daily. The oatmeal acts as an emollient and protective moisturizer for dry skin.’

Oatmeal baths are a safe way to take the edge of sore skin conditions. It might seem a tad yucky at first but after reading all of the specialist advice on the benefits of an oatmeal bath, it’s definitely worth a go.

Please note – if your skin feels worse after one oatmeal bath, don’t try it again and and arrange an appointment with your GP.

Say goodbye to harsh, red skin!

The post What Are The Benefits Of Oatmeal Baths? written by Rikki Fothergill appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

Cold Shower vs Hot Shower – What Are The Benefits?

Hot And Cold Shower Comparison

For many, the idea of a freezing cold shower first thing in the morning is enough to make you shudder, never mind the reality of actually taking one. A hot shower early doors provides the majority of people with the perfect means to kick off their day, and an ideal foundation from which to go about their daily business.

As much as we might love to invigorate our senses with a toasty warm shower, and be far from thrilled at the prospect of a cold shower though, there is plenty of evidence to suggest it is beneficial to mix up our shower routine as it pertains to temperature.

Even if you have horror memories of nipping in and quickly hopping in a cold shower, having been the last in a busy family household to use it, you might not so readily recall how you felt in the aftermath. Or be aware of the numerous health advantages cold showers can provide.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the associated benefits of both hot and cold showers, exploring the best instances to brave the lower temperatures and much more.

What Are The Main Advantages Of Cold Showers?

Bearded man feeling shocked while taking a shower with cold water in the bathroom at home

There are several advantages to taking a cold shower, including the following…

Invigorating and refreshing to awaken your sensesHelpful in tackling acne, can assist with glowing hair and skinRelieves itchy skinBolsters blood circulationCan enhance weight lossAssists in alleviating muscle soreness after exercise

Cold Shower Wake Up Call

Milano Blade Chrome Thermostatic Shower w/ Shower Head, Hand Shower & Bath Filler

Whilst you may find the sensation unpleasant, a cold early morning shower can have positive physiological, psychological and neurological effects as the temperature ‘shock’ takes hold.

This cold water shock enhances the heart rate, oxygen intake and level of alertness of the shower user, all in all providing a real ‘livener’ to make them feel incredibly refreshed, switched on and ready to attack the day ahead.

Jump in your shower enclosure feeling groggy and unprepared, exit a brand new man or woman that can take on just about anything!

Help Hair And Skin To Shine

Young woman with glowing skin applying face cream with cloth

Young girl with glowing skin and hair

Whilst scant scientific evidence exists with regards to the positive effects cold water can have on hair and skin, anecdotal attestation is widely abound.

All sorts of wellness publications and expert sources have long been keen to extoll the virtues of cold water, with its propensity to constrict blood flow a certified consequence. This practice is explained well in this Camille Styles blog. In turn, the constriction of blood assists in giving a healthier tint to the cold showerer’s skin.

Furthermore, a Glamour magazine article suggests that cold water will strengthen your hair cuticles, and as a result, that taking regular cold showers will lead hair to be shinier and significantly less frizzy.

It is also worth noting that in contrast to hot water, cold water will not dry out the sebum layer, which is a naturally formed lubricated barrier which acts as a protective shield for hair and skin. Therefore, frequent exposure to cold water can see hair in particular build strength and general health over the course of time.

Shivering Over Scratching

Female hands visible in shower enclosure directly beneath shower flow

Neither are exactly favourable sensations, of course. But cold showers can prove an excellent combative measure for those who suffer from itchy skin or related conditions that leave them feeling the urge to scratch.

Stacy Chimento, an American-based dermatology expert, has been quoted by The Healthy as saying, “cool water can help calm down the itchy sensation.” She continued, “cool water helps numb the itching sensations and pacify irritated skin, whereas a hot shower can make the skin even more sensitive.”

So, especially for sufferers of conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, cold showers could be monumentally beneficial.

Boosting Your Blood Flow

As far as health benefits associated with cold showers go, one of the very most poignant is enhanced blood circulation, regularly flagged up by expert health commentators.

The science behind this effect can be explained in how it influences the body at surface level. Basically, once the cold water makes contact with the body, noticeably concerning areas like arms and legs, it will compress blood circulation on the body’s surface.

In turn, the blood pumping throughout deeper tissues will circulate at a more rapid rate to deliver and maintain an optimal body temperature for cold shower users.

That considered, cold showers provide a contrasting reaction to hot showers for those who might be suffering from cardiovascular issues or hypertension. Because cold temperature exposure activates the circulatory system to alleviate inflammation and help to combat cardiovascular diseases.

Cold Shower Weight Loss Assistance

Black Milano Dalton Modern Exposed Shower Tower

Milano Arvo Chrome Thermostatic Shower w/ Diverter, Waterblade Shower Head, Hand Shower & Riser Rail

It might not make a massive amount of difference, but speaking from personal experience at least, every little helps when it comes to a bid for losing weight. So this makes for another excellent reason to work a cold shower into your regular routine.

The way that cold water can benefit you from a weight loss perspective lies in the properties of particular fat cells. The likes of brown fat, for instance, can generate heat in burning fat. This occurs when the body becomes exposed to colder temperatures, as it would in a cold shower.

What’s more, these brown fat cells are often found around the shoulders and neck area of the body. Absolutely ideal, especially if you have a modern shower with multiple outlets for targeted coverage.

On average, a 15-minute cold shower will burn 62 calories – that’s worth a full extra Jaffa Cake and then some to the calorie counting dieters!

Sore Muscle Relief

Tying in with the weight loss theme, cold showers can also aid sore muscle recovery in the aftermath of exercise – a perfect vice to remember after an especially tough session at the gym.

Cold water boasts regenerative properties, which allows it to enable your muscles to relax and repair on the back of strenuous activity.

re There Any Disadvantages To Cold Showers?

Milano Nero Black Recessed Shower Head

They are few and far between, certainly so when compared with the benefits, but cold showers can be disadvantageous in some instances.

Mostly, common sense will dictate when not to indulge in a cold shower. For example, if you are already cold, the cooler temperature won’t help you to warm up in any way. In fact, it can have a negative effect in making you become colder still, and ensuring you have a longer wait for your body to warm back up to its ideal temperature.

Similarly so, it is probably best to avoid taking a cold shower if you are feeling unwell. The initial shock of the cold water could have a further detrimental effect on your immune system.

It’s a better idea to ease into cooler showers when you’re in rude health.

Why Do We Tend To Prefer Hot Showers?

So, given the many benefits and scarce drawbacks associated with cold showers, they seem a no-brainer to introduce into a healthy regular schedule.

Why then, in general, do we prefer hot showers?

Well, for a start, the warm water tends to feel nicer and more relaxing as we come into contact with it, rather than causing the initial shock effect that comes to fruition when taking a cold shower.

For many, a hot shower is a key to relaxation, and enables the person to unwind and de-stress before heading to bed and preparing to do it all again tomorrow.

There’s a science behind that notion as well, as hot showers alert the parasympathetic nervous system which is linked to making us tired, making a warm shower an excellent evening practice before bed.

As well as assisting in the relaxation of muscles, hot showers can also help repair skin blemishes and aid in the relief of respiratory problems.

On the latter point, standing in a hot shower enclosure engulfed by steam represents a time-old natural combative effort against colds and coughs. The water’s heat and accompanying steam can help to clear nasal passages, open up airways and loosen phlegm.

And with regards to skin blemishes, hot showers can help to open up the pores of the skin, so you’re able to rid them of any lingering oil or trapped muck.

re There Any Disadvantages To Hot Showers?

Whilst cold showers have been proven to be beneficial from a cardiovascular perspective, hot showers can contrastingly worsen issues in this regard.

They have been known to further enhance the blood pressure of sufferers of high blood pressure, and those with any form of cardiovascular disease are also advised against taking showers that are too hot.

Also, hot showers can lead to irritable, dried out skin. Hot water can damage the keratin cells which reside on the outer-most skin layer – the epidermis. In turn, the disruption caused to these cells curtails them from confining the appropriate moisture required, which creates dry skin.

And particular skin conditions can worsen via excessively hot showers as well. Ailments like eczema and psoriasis can be exacerbated with high temperatures providing the perfect foundation for skin to dry out.

Itchy skin is another potential undesirable side effect of hot showers too, as the lofty temperatures can lead mast cells, featuring histamine, to deposit their matter in the skin to cause it to itch.

Milano Lisse Modern Concealed Shower Tower Panel w/ Glass Grabbing Shower Head, Hand Shower & Body Jets

Should I Take Hot Or Cold Showers?

There’s numerous benefits and a few disadvantages to both hot and cold showers – so which type should you indulge in with regularity?

Well, whilst the advantages of cold showers seem to outweigh those of their counterparts, we wouldn’t want you to have to stand and suffer if you find a cold shower barely tolerable. Ideally then, you should try to take a lukewarm shower when possible, so you’re getting the best benefits of both whilst enjoying a comfortable showering experience.

Alternatively, you could adopt a ‘contrast shower’ approach, whereby you set the water temperature for as cold as possible for a set period of time, say a minute. Then, you can crank the temperature right up and take a hot shower for a minute, and repeat the process for as long as you wish (between three and five cycles each is recommended).

Contrast showers are advantageous in that the cold shower part of the process will constrict the blood vessels of the user, meaning all the blood will flood to the centre of the body.

Then, the hot shower portion will see the blood vessels open up and blood flood out again, distributed all throughout the organs and muscles of the ‘contrast showerer’. As such, it has an excellent detoxifying effect, and helps with regeneration too.

Some advanced digital showers will even have the facility to set the temperature to automatically shift after a set amount of time to make the contrast shower process more convenient. Our Buyer’s Guide To Modern Showers has more information on these tech-savvy shower systems.

Get In Touch With Big Bathroom Shop

Hopefully, this blog has helped you gain an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of both hot and cold showers, and how best to work either type into your regular showering routine.

For any further help or information regarding showers, or any other bathroom-related query though, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the friendly team at Big Bathroom Shop.

You can do so by leaving your thoughts on the comments section below, or by contacting us on FacebookInstagram or Twitter.

The post Cold Shower vs Hot Shower – What Are The Benefits? written by John Klee appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

Master Bathroom Ideas: Grand Designs That Amaze

Master Bathroom ideas are always welcome, given the enormity of their importance in one’s home, for they are the ones that will generate a unique oasis in one’s home that will provide the needed sanctuary to shield one’s mind from the dark problems that try to overcome it. To help you improve your home by creating the perfect oasis, we have gathered some of the best ideas for a luxurious master bathroom design!

Continue reading Master Bathroom Ideas: Grand Designs That Amaze at Maison Valentina Blog.