The mere thought about a cold shower upon waking up can already send shivers to our very core. It may sound a little traumatic for some, but there is more to it than just being dreadfully cold. In fact, according to experts, from improving your skin to boosting your energy and speeding up muscle recovery, a cold shower can improve your health in myriad ways.
A hot shower, on the other hand, cleanses both the body and mind. Unsurprisingly, hot showers are considered by many as the most effective form of hydrotherapy because they help to reduce stress and alleviate anxiety.
Now that you’ve got a sneak peak of what we are about to discuss, you should read on to find out more about the other benefits that your shower routines can offer.
Before we got spoiled with in-home water heaters, cold shower wasn’t really much of an issue. Back then, heating water was not as easy as rotating a dial or knob. Because heating water had to be done manually, many people would rather skip the hassle and just endure the cold. But what they didn’t know was that there are tons of health benefits associated with taking cold showers, which we have listed below.
Improved blood circulation is one of the top reasons why experts recommend cold showers. As cold water hits your external limbs, it causes your blood to circulate at a faster rate in order to maintain an ideal body temperature.
You are most likely to become instantly energetic if you start your day by splashing cold water onto your face. The cold jabs of water will surprise your body by stimulating your senses, making you more alert. This, in turn, increases your oxygen intake and heart rate, giving you an improved awareness and be energetic at state.
Wellness expert, Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, says that cold water tightens pores and constricts the blood flow which gives your skin a healthier glow. This is because cold water does not dry out the fatty layer protecting the skin. Cold water also closes the pores and prevents dirt from getting in. For the head, cold water increases the capacity of the hair follicles to grip the scalp tighter, and thereby making your hair stronger.
After an intense workout, a cold shower is what you need. Since cold water has regenerative properties, your muscles will relax and repair after a tough workout. It is also proven to minimize muscle inflammation and promote faster muscle recovery.
Nothing is quite as indulgent as a comforting hot shower after a long stressful day. But before even attempting, you need to be mindful of how hot is hot. What dermatologists recommend is to keep it at 98°F (36.6°C) to 101°F (38.3°C), because water at that temperature is lukewarm and not scalding for our skins. Below are the other benefits of a hot shower that you should be aware of.
If you are having a stiff neck or feeling sore, you may want to stand under a hot shower, and let the warm water run over your stiff or sore muscles. For added comfort, gently rub your shoulders or neck while standing under a warm shower.
Hot showers are also helpful in alleviating congested chests or stuffy noses. This is because they can help to dry mucus, thus improving your respiratory system. For this reason, it is advisable for people with flu or cough to take a hot shower for quick relief.
Unlike cold showers, which can shock our nervous system, warm showers can soothe our nerves and reduce the tension in our muscles. As a result, your body will become fresh and calm. Although this feels great, physically and mentally, it is still not advisable to spend too much time under a hot shower as it may damage your skin.
The constriction of blood vessel could cause headaches and migraines. For a simple home remedy, simply shower in a warm water as it can aid in expanding those blood vessels to promote blood flow.
Be wary about showering in cold water as it may intensify your menstrual cramps. Instead, choose to shower in hot water, if possible, to reduce the cramps, especially so when hot showers are proven to help muscles to relax.
Well, in a nutshell, hot showers are just as effective as cold showers because they both offer tremendous therapeutic benefits as discussed above. Try to use them alternately depending on what your body needs.
So now that you know the benefits of both cold and hot showers, we invite you to try out Rheem’s instant and storage water heaters that can provide you with the ideal hot water you need.
To learn more about our range of instant or storage water heaters, visit us at /products/.
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