Showers are more important than we think. Who knew bathing our troubles away can be a feasible solution to deal with our problems? No wonder people spend unruly hours under warm water after a long day.
Doctors would prescribe showers as an actual cure for mental illness patients a few decades ago. While our awareness and solutions have drastically developed, showers are still significant contributors to a good mental state.
Hot Showers
Most people agree that hot baths are incredibly transformative for the apparent reason that they warm us up. Indulging in one at night can increase body temperature, which in turn helps us sleep better. And who wouldn’t want a good night’s sleep?
“A study done in Germany proved that people with depression
reported a boost in their mood after soaking in a 40-degree bath for 30 minutes.”
The modern world has problems that are almost inexplicable at times. Taking warm baths certainly reduce loneliness and isolation, much like getting tight hugs.
In fact, a study done in Germany proved that people with depression reported a boost in their mood after soaking in a 40-degree bath for 30 minutes. According to research, baths are proven to be more effective in aiding depression than aerobics in some cases. All the “I-shower-my-troubles-away” memes are not a lie, clearly.
Cold Showers
Sure, a hot bath can positively affect a person because it can mimic the human warmth, but what about the cold chill that comes with a cold shower? According to recent studies, there is a component in the brain that can alleviate depression once released. It’s called noradrenaline. The noradrenaline can be released by triggering the “blue spot” in the brain. And guess what can trigger this spot? A cold shower!
“Cold water releases natural endorphins into your
bloodstream and mind to help lift your mood.”
Cold showers have also been shown to relieve symptoms of depression. Because of the high density of cold nerve receptors in the skin, a cold shower sends an overwhelming amount of electrical impulses from nerve endings to the brain, which can have a strong anti-depressant effect. On top of this, cold water releases natural endorphins into your bloodstream and mind to help lift your mood.
Additionally, cold showers bring a strong feeling of alertness. According to Drench “Aside from the obvious ‘shock to the system’ that an icy shower may cause, cold water stimulates blood flow around the body. This improved blood flow means more oxygen travelling efficiently around your body and, in turn, a healthier you.”
Both hot and cold showers promote better and healthier sleep patterns. After the initial shock of a cold shower, your body becomes accustomed to the cold feeling. When you get out after a long bath into a warm house, the temperature change is comforting, and your body begins to relax, allowing you to sleep better. On the other hand, warm showers relax muscles in your body and relieve tension. It’s a good day people, as long as you take a shower.