It’s common for many people to take a warm bath at the end of the day, especially when it’s cold out. After all, stepping under freezing water is uncomfortable and can lead to chills and illness.
On the other hand, there are many other reasons why a warm bath might be good for you, and most of these benefits aren’t obvious.
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Improves Sleep Quality
Taking baths before you go to bed is a great way to improve your sleeping habits and unwind after a stressful day, which means better sleep quality overnight. Just make sure the water isn’t too hot or you might find yourself tossing and turning at night instead of snoozing back into dreamland.
A warm bath will lower your core temperature which your body will take as a signal to relax and sleep. Spending as little as 10 minutes in a warm bath can vastly improve your sleep throughout the night.
If the water is just right, it can help you release those feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine which will calm your nerves and relax your muscles. Your brain also gets an increased supply of oxygen during this process that promotes healthy brain function for the next day ahead.
Decreases Blood Pressure
A warm bath can help you drift to sleep after a long day at work, but it also helps reduce your blood pressure. Relaxing in water that’s just below your core body temperature for twenty minutes is said to lower the heart rate, which reduces blood pressure over time. The parasympathetic nervous system gets activated during this process which leads to other health benefits such as increased digestion and urination.
People who have high blood pressure can improve their condition by soaking in an above-ground hot tub whenever they can. This is also why doctors recommend patients with high blood pressure to take a warm bath before going to bed at night, however, this method should not replace actual medical treatment.
Increases Energy Levels
The concept of energy is somewhat more abstract than other factors on this list. It’s true that taking a warm bath before bedtime might leave you feeling more drowsy and ready for sleep, but it can also leave you feeling more energized upon waking up the next morning.
Research has shown that increasing your core body temperature stimulates the endocrine system into producing several types of hormones that are useful throughout the rest of your day. Having an increased supply of these hormones can lead to better moods, longer attention spans, and quicker reflexes which all translate to improved energy levels.
Reduces Anxiety and Improves Mood
Anxiety is one of the world’s most common problems, with nearly 40 million people suffering from this mental illness in America alone. Although anxiety can be triggered by a number of different influences, stress is one of the major causes that motivate anxious feelings.
Taking a warm bath can be a great way to reduce anxiety. It’s relaxing, it helps you sleep well at night, and it lets your brain release calming hormones that have all sorts of health benefits. You can also incorporate aromatherapy into your bath with relaxing scents such as lavender or vanilla.
Not only will a warm bath improve your mood, but it’ll also make you feel good physically and mentally as well. All in all, a nice warm soak during these colder fall and winter months is a great way to relax, relieve stress, and improve your overall health.
Improves Skin Texture
There are certain components of our skin called dermal fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin fibers which help keep skin healthy and firm (for those who work out or enjoy skincare).
While these fibers are constantly being produced, they take time to mature and strengthen which causes the skin to sag with age. This is one explanation for why women have smoother skin than men because they produce more estrogen which keeps collagen production at higher levels.
Sitting in water that’s just below your body’s core temperature can help protect your dermal fibroblasts from damage because it’s not hot enough to cause any deterioration. This means that your skin will remain healthy, young-looking, and resilient for much longer.
Soaking in a warm bath is not only great for your physical health, but it’s also beneficial for your mental well-being. The relaxation and stress relief that comes from bathing can improve your mood, lower your blood pressure, and increase your energy levels. Additionally, taking baths has been shown to help reduce anxiety and improve skin health. If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your overall wellbeing, consider adding a warm bath into your daily routine.