When To Take A Bath And When To Have A Shower?

Including Baths And Showers In Your Regular Routine

One of the overwhelming findings of our recent research into the showers vs baths debates is that there’s a multitude of benefits associated with both. It’s worth finding the time to fit either into your schedule therefore, but what is the best way to do so?

In this article, we’ll aim to offer key tips and advice with regards to the best timings to take a bath and the ideal spot to take a shower, explaining the when’s and why’s that will be most advantageous pertaining to physical and mental requirements.

Furthermore, we’ll take into account extenuating circumstances that might influence whether a bath or shower is preferable at a particular time for a person in a specific physical state.

And even sprinkle in a few hints alluding to creating the perfect bathing or showering experience for the very best effect…

The Pursuit Of Cleanliness: Showers Or Baths?

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First things first, stripped down to a base level, showers are the clear outstanding option as it pertains to simply cleansing your body from head to toe.

If the goal is just to achieve a state of the utmost cleanliness, showers must be the selection. They will provide an even distribution of water for full body coverage, eliminating contaminated water during the process.

Whilst indulging in a shower, the water will combine efficiently with the likes of shower gels or soaps to shatter the sweat, oils and dirt attached to the skin. This used water is then disposed of with natural immediacy by running straight down the shower drain.

The Best Times To Take A Bath

So, though making use of shower systems represents a blatant choice when it comes to purely cleaning the body, that certainly doesn’t dismiss baths from the equation as a useful and enjoyable vice.

Baths have a multitude of purposes, stimulating the nervous system and aiding muscle relaxation, all the while providing gentle exfoliation of the skin. The regular use of baths has also been proven to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing, with stress, depression and fatigue less common amongst those who bathe frequently.

But when is the best time to take a bath in accordance with how you might be feeling? And how can a specific type of bath offer the perfect pick-me-up in correlation with your physical or mental state? Read on to find out…

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Baths To Combat Cold And Flu

If you’re suffering from illness like a common cold or flu, a warm bath can help to alleviate some symptoms – the bath water pouring over your chest will be especially helpful.

Essentially, warm baths will help to relax aching muscles, break a fever, and deliver some relief from congestion within the sinuses and chest area in particular.

WHEN you’re feeling under the weather.

Home Healing With Sitz Baths

A sitz bath is essentially the process of sitting in a home bathtub engulfed by warm water which only reaches around the hips and lower buttocks.

This type of bath is a perfect means for the healing of the perineum in the aftermath of giving birth. They can also assist with lesser issues, soothing itching, skin irritation and hemorrhoids.

WHEN you’re suffering from skin irritation.

Soaking To Soothe Stress

As alluded to earlier, plenty of previous research has indicated that a bath is an extremely helpful stress reliever.

Even more so when the bath water is infused with some essential oils, muscle soak solution, bath bombs and the like. Eucalyptus and lavender are particularly enviable ingredients for relaxation, muscle repair and the calming of the mind in an aromatherapy bath.

WHEN you’re feeling stressed out mentally and worn out physically.

Special Skin Remedy Baths

Outside of bathing merely in warm water, there are other types of baths that can act as excellent remedies for sore or dry skin, and form an integral part of a cleansing routine for sufferers of specific skin conditions.

Namely, and most commonly, psoriasis and eczema can be treated with oatmeal baths, which will help to curtail inflammation and redness on the skin. More information surrounding special skin care baths can be found in our dedicated blog, What Are The Benefits Of An Oatmeal Bath?

WHEN you’re suffering from irritable skin conditions.

The Best Times To Take A Shower

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As is the case with taking a bath, the refreshing deluge of water that encapsulates the body during a shower is accompanied by several health benefits.

Amongst these advantages is a propensity to release bodily toxins and soothe muscle aches, as well as helping to enhance the immune system and burn fat.

A look into the best times to take a shower, and which type of shower to take, in line with your physical and mental condition in general…

Showers To Make The Skin Glow

In a process known as vascoconstriction, the blood circulation beneath the skin is improved when taking a shower.

The result of this is a stimulation of the blood flow around the scalp area, which will encourage glowing hair and healthy, shiny skin.

WHEN your skin and hair feels greasy or unclean.

Increasing Immunity In The Shower

Most people’s ideas of a comfortable showering experience involves being engulfed in a warm, fulsome flow of water, perhaps in a rainfall effect. And whilst that’s all well and good, there’s also a multitude of advantages to taking a cold shower, as detailed in our dedicated blog on the subject – Cold Shower vs Hot Shower – What Are The Benefits?

One such key advantage presented by cold showers is their facility to bolster the immune system of the user, even within a shower that might start at a low temperature and gradually increase over time.

WHEN you’re feeling fine and healthy. Any time is realistically a good time to take a cold and/or hot shower to enhance your immune system in due course.

Potential To Assist With Depression

Another monumental plus point of colder showers is that they can potentially assist those struggling with depression.

Showers which begin at a lukewarm temperature, decreasing in stages, are brilliant for stimulating the nervous system and enabling endorphins to be released, thus helping to alleviate depression symptoms.

WHEN you are feeling downbeat or could be struggling mentally.

How To Decide Whether To Take A Bath Or Shower

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In essence, your own priorities with regards to personal hygiene, and how you’re feeling at any particular time, should largely dictate whether you opt to take a bath or a shower.

To achieve a state of comfortable relaxation, tackle chronic pain and alleviate muscle fatigue, a bath is the right way to go.

By contrast, showers would be the preferred choice for those placing a greater emphasis on efficient daily cleansing. And also for anyone hoping to quell the effects of common illnesses, as regular showering can also help to bolster the immune system over time. Especially so when cold temperatures are intertwined with a warmer water flow during body washes.

We have a full dedicated guide on how to take the perfect shower for an enjoyable cleaning experience, but be sure to take into account the multiple positive effects derived from colder showers as well.

Get In Touch With Big Bathroom Shop

If you would like any further advice with regards to the best time to take a bath or shower, or want more information on the specific concerning items like freestanding bathtubs and modern showers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact us via InstagramFacebook or Twitter.

The post When To Take A Bath And When To Have A Shower? written by John Klee appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.