Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality health cover, delves into the scientifically backed health benefits of bathing.
While many of us opt for quick showers to save time, taking a bath can offer many health benefits beyond just getting clean.
Why is bathing beneficial? The main factors at play are heat, buoyancy, and hydrostatic pressure.
- Heat: Warm water helps to relax muscles and increase blood flow throughout the body.
- Buoyancy: Being in water reduces the effects of gravity on your body, relieving pressure on joints and muscles.
- Hydrostatic pressure: Water pressure on your body can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Stress Relief and Mental Health
Stress relief is one of the most immediate and noticeable benefits of bathing. Immersing yourself in warm water can help to calm your mind. This is partly due to the physical effects of warmth on your body but also because bathing offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and focus on self-care.
Improved Sleep Quality
A bath an hour or two before bed can help regulate your body temperature and prepare you for sleep. When you step out of a warm bath, your body temperature drops, mimicking the natural decrease as you fall asleep. This can make it easier to drift off and enjoy a more restful night’s sleep.
Pain Relief and Muscle Relaxation
Soaking in warm water can be very beneficial for sore muscles and joint pain. The heat helps increase blood flow, which can reduce inflammation and ease pain. The buoyancy of the water also relieves pressure on joints, providing relief for conditions like arthritis.
Skin Health
When done correctly, bathing can improve skin health. Soaking in warm (not hot) water can help open your pores and cleanse your skin more deeply than a quick shower. Adding oatmeal, coconut oil or essential oils like lavender or tea tree to your bath can offer extra skin benefits.
Cardiovascular Health
A study published in the journal Heart found that frequent bathing was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The warmth of the bath causes your blood vessels to dilate, enhancing circulation throughout your body. This improved blood flow can help lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on your heart.
Respiratory Health
Steam from a warm bath can help to clear your airways and ease respiratory symptoms such as the cold, flu, or allergies. A few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in your bath can enhance this effect by helping to clear congestion.
Detoxification
While your body has detoxification systems (primarily the liver and kidneys), bathing can support these processes. Sweating, often during a warm bath, can help eliminate toxins from your skin. Adding bentonite clay or seaweed may enhance detoxification by drawing impurities from your skin.
Calorie Burning
While it’s not a substitute for regular exercise, research suggests that a hot bath can burn calories. A study from Loughborough University found soaking in a hot bath for an hour burned about as many calories as a 30-minute walk.9 This is due to a process known as “passive heating,” in which your body regulates its temperature in reaction to hot water.
Migraine Relief
For some migraine sufferers, a warm bath can provide relief. The warmth can help to relax tense muscles, while the quiet, dark bathroom environment can reduce sensory stimulation that often exacerbates migraines.
Tips for a Healthy Bath
To maximise the health benefits of bathing, keep these four tips in mind:
- Temperature matters: Water that’s too hot can dry out your skin. Aim for a temperature that feels comfortably warm, typically around 38-40°C.
- Duration: 15-30 minutes is sufficient to reap the benefits without overdoing it.
- Be careful getting out: Stand up slowly to avoid dizziness from low blood pressure caused by your blood vessels having widened to dissipate heat.
- Moisturise: Apply a good moisturiser while damp to lock in hydration.
Conclusion
The benefits of bathing are numerous and supported by scientific research. While it may not be practical to take a bath every day, incorporating regular baths into your self-care routine can significantly impact your overall health and well-being. So, the next time you feel stressed, sore, or need relaxation, consider taking a warm bath.
