Top 12 Tips Why Baths Are Better For Your Health Than Showers!

Almost everyone loves a good bubble bath. There’s something so calming, fun and nostalgic about taking a bath. In this busy world that we are in, unfortunately, adults don’t get to take as many baths as they want because baths take longer than showers, they’re not as convenient as showers and showers just feel easier for some reason.

Baths are indeed good for you and for a number of reasons. Not only are they a perfect way to relax with a glass of wine at the end of a long day, they actually have a lot of health benefits as well. Here are Top 12 Tips Why Baths Are Better For Your Health Than Showers!

1. Baths Are Just As Clean As Showers

A lot of people feel that baths are somehow dirtier than showers since the water isn’t draining, but this actually isn’t true. Showers are better than baths only when you’re dirty or sweaty from being outdoors or exercising. If you’re just washing off from a normal day, a bath will get you just as clean as a shower. Plus, the steam from a bath can open up your pores and release the dirt.

2. Baths Are Good For Your Skin

Moisturises our skin. We may not like the wrinkled skin we get after a hot bath, but it actually has a good effect on it. The warm water leaves the skin moist for longer and prevents it from drying up and getting those little cracks that often appear when it’s dry. Hot water is known to dehydrate your skin, so many people think showers are better than baths in the skin department, but that’s actually not the case.

Your body has natural oils that it needs, and both showers and baths can strip your body of these nourishing oils. The difference between the two bathing methods is that you can put additives like essential oils, mineral salts, bath bombs, oatmeal, honey, etc into your bath. These additional bath time ingredients can moisturise and replenish your skin. Just don’t forget to lather on the body lotion to lock in the moisture when you get out of the tub!

3. Clear your sinuses and chest

Being immersed in water past your chest with your head out, can have a good influence on your lung capacity and oxygen intake. There are two factors that contribute to this; the temperature of the water and the pressure the water places on your chest and lungs. When the water is warmer and your heart is beating faster, your oxygen intake can be improved and the steam created can clear your sinuses and chest.

4. Baths delay aging and reduce acne!

According to dermatologists, taking baths can reduce aging and adult acne. Baths help lower cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can increase acne and induce premature aging. You have to make sure to moisturise fully after your bath, so your skin doesn’t get dehydrated.

5. Have cleaner, healthier skin

A good soak in hot water, be it a bath or shower, can open up the pores in our skin. And if the water is clean then it can wash some of the dirt and toxins from our skin. The result is fresher and cleaner skin.

6. Baths can lower blood sugar levels

Forget walking. A hot bath may be just what you need to lower your blood sugar and burn calories. If your doctor has ever told you to watch your blood sugar levels and try to keep them low, baths may be a great option for you. Taking a hot bath can actually reduce your blood sugar levels. Our blood sugar rises after we eat, and the amount it rises is one of the risk markers for diabetes, so keeping your blood sugar down can be really beneficial to your health. Obviously, baths should not replace healthy eating and a good exercise regimen, but it can be a great addition!

7. Helps relieve cold/flu symptoms

Believe it or not a hot shower also acts as a natural decongestant to relieve cold symptoms, since the hot steam moisturises nasal passages. Taking a 10-15 minute hot-soak-break can also really help you feel better while your body is trying to get better.

8. Reduces headaches

Most types of headaches are caused by the narrowing of blood vessels in the head. The positive effect of the hot water on our blood vessels can be used to alleviate the pressure on those blood vessels and cure our headache.

9. Baths are heart-healthy

Baths have been proven to lower blood pressure, which decreases stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system. A warm bath can improve cardiovascular health in a variety of ways, including lower blood pressure, increased blood vessel dilation, decreased arterial stiffness, and more. Just be sure to keep the temperature mild, because too much time soaking in very hot water can ramp up your heart rate.

10. Baths relieve sore muscles

Relieves muscle tension. Hot showers can relieve tension and soothe stiff muscles. If you have a powerful shower head, even better! Let the hot water work like a mini massage on your shoulders, neck, and back. Many of us know that heat is a great solution when our muscles are sore. Applying heat to inflamed or sore muscles can help your muscles relax. In a bath, you are fully submerged in warm water, which relieves the muscles throughout your body. Additionally, bath additives such as Epsom Salt can help relieve aches and pains as well.

11. Baths are good stress-relievers

Helps us feel better about ourselves. After a stressful day, take a nice warm shower and try to relax, as it’s known that when we feel better physically, we get more confident in ourselves, the more convinced we are up to the challenges ahead. A hot bath is also a great way to reduce daily anxiety as well and make us feel good all around. 

Many adults take baths for one reason and that is stress relief. Sitting in a bath forces you to stop multitasking and just take a few moments for yourself. It increases your body temperature and can improve circulation, calm your nervous system, detoxify your body and release endorphins. These endorphins make you feel good and can get rid of the stress that builds up throughout the day. Plus, you can light fragrant candles or drip essential oils into the bath for some at-home aromatherapy. Baths are ideal for bathing small children too.

12. Fall asleep faster

Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping? Hot water relaxes the body and better prepares us for falling asleep. When a tense body enters a warm bath, the hot water increases the body temperature and relaxes the muscles. Relaxing the muscles not only soothes us physically but also mentally. Only 20 minutes is needed and be careful not to fall asleep in the bath!

As you can see, there are clearly many benefits to taking a bath regularly to enhance the quality of our lives. I, for one, can’t wait to get home tonight and run myself a nice hot bath!