5 Benefits of Bathing for Health that Not Can Be Underestimated

Illustration of the benefits of bathing for health (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA – Bathing or bathing is a personal preference. But according to data reported by Harvard Health Publishing, as many as two-thirds of Americans shower every day. Bathing has been shown to have major benefits in regulating core body temperature, lowering high blood pressure, and relating to mood. Not trivial right? To find out the details, here is the explanation.

1. Bathing relieves joint and muscle pain

Stress, strain, injury, and sore muscles after exercise or from rheumatoid arthritis, consider taking a warm bath. It can help relieve joint pain thanks to the temperature and water pressure that gently washes the skin.

Hot baths are an example of thermotherapy, sometimes called passive heating. This type of therapy shares some of the same benefits of exercise, including improvement of chronic low-grade inflammation, according to a review published in December 2020 in the Journal of Applied Physiology. If soaking takes too long, a quick shower is just as beneficial. That is to reduce inflammation, reported by the Cleveland Clinic, Friday, March 3.

Illustration of the benefits of bathing for health (Freepik/user18526052)

2. Lowers blood pressure and supports heart health

Passive heat therapy and hot baths should not replace exercise in your routine. But both have similar cardiovascular benefits for those who don't have time to exercise. For example, for older women and men. According to research, sauna bathing is associated with a reduction in the frequency of cardiovascular events and death. Another study, published in 2020, found that Japanese men who took hot baths more often had a lower risk of heart disease compared to those who bathed less often.

But those of you who have low blood pressure have to be careful. Because hot baths and saunas cause blood vessels to dilate, blood flows more easily, lowering blood pressure, and causing mild dizziness.

3. Reducing stress and anxiety

According to Jeffrey Gladd, MD., an integrative medicine specialist in Columbia, Indiana, a warm bath promotes relaxation by increasing the body's core temperature. For thousands of years, people bathed to feel good on their bodies. But not only that, bathing also calms the mind. Taking a warm bath is also a form of self-care because it creates a feeling of calm for the mind, body and mind.

Illustration of the benefits of bathing for health (Freepik)

4. Get a good night's sleep

Not enough sleep according to the CDC is estimated to be experienced by a third of Americans. What about Indonesians? So, if you have difficulty sleeping at night, then you can take a warm bath after your activities. According to Gladd, this method will help you fall asleep more easily and get quality sleep.

5. Moisturizing skin

Soaking in warm or even hot water is very satisfying, but it may not be the best choice for your skin.

"Soaking in lukewarm water can be beneficial for skin hydration," says Beth G. Goldstein, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Central Dermatology Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

But hot water can cause skin to lose water, notes Dr. Goldstein. If the water is too hot, bathing can also strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The AAD recommends getting lukewarm and limiting showers to 10 minutes or less. Goldstein recommends moisturizing after showering to lock in moisture.

Is

or room temperature water your mainstay to get some of its benefits?