Who doesn’t love a nice, relaxing bubble bath? They can be so calm, fun, and even a bit nostalgic. However, most people stop taking baths as adults. Why? Well, there are a number of reasons. For starters, baths typically take longer than showers, baths are not as convenient as showers, and finally, showers just feel easier for some reason.
There are a lot of myths floating around out there as to why baths aren’t as good for you as showers, but we’re here to dispel some of those common myths for you.
Actually, baths are pretty great for you for a number of reasons. They are a great way to unwind and relax after a long day with an optional glass of wine. In fact, baths have a few health benefits as well. Read more to find out how taking a bath tonight can benefit you! Let us know in the comments which you prefer—baths or showers?
1.Baths Can Delay Aging
Dermatologists recommend baths to reduce the signs of aging and reduce adult acne. Why? Baths help to lower the cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can increase acne and raise your blood pressure. The high-stress level can also induce premature aging. In order to get the full benefit of a bath and its cortisol lowering benefits, you need to make sure to fully moisturize your body after you leave the water. This is so your skin will not get dehydrated and appear dried out.
- Baths Relieve Sore Muscles
Many people know that heat is a great solution for aching and sore muscles. According to Medical News Today, applying heat to inflamed or sore muscles helps your muscles relax. In a bath, you are completely submerged in warm water which ultimately helps to relieve your sore muscles throughout your body. Additionally, bath additives like Epsom salt can help relieve aches and pains as well.
A lot of people think that baths are dirtier than taking a shower since you are lying or soaking in the bathwater and it is not being drained. However, the idea that showers are cleaner that baths are simply not true. Showers are only superior to baths when you are extremely dirty; like after a day of being in mud or excessively sweating. If you are just washing off from a normal day, a bath will help get you just as clean as a shower. Also, the steam from the bath can open up your pores to help release dirt and prevent acne.
- Baths are Just as Clean as Showers
A lot of people think that baths are dirtier than taking a shower since you are lying or soaking in the bathwater and it is not being drained. However, the idea that showers are cleaner that baths are simply not true. Showers are only superior to baths when you are extremely dirty; like after a day of being in mud or excessively sweating. If you are just washing off from a normal day, a bath will help get you just as clean as a shower. Also, the steam from the bath can open up your pores to help release dirt and prevent acne.
- Baths Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Has your doctor ever warned you about your blood sugar levels and keeping them low? If they have, a bath just might be what the doctor ordered! It has recently been discovered that taking a hot bath can help to reduce your blood sugar levels. After we eat, our blood sugar levels rise and the amount it rises to can be one of the risk markers for diabetes. This is why keeping your blood sugar levels low is extremely beneficial to your health. Baths cannot replace healthy eating or a good exercise regimen, but they can be a great and relaxing addition to your lifestyle.
- Baths are Good for Your Skin
Hot water is known to cause your skin to dehydrate your skin, so many people think that showers are better than baths for your skin, but that’s not actually true. Your body has natural oils that it needs and whether you take a bath or shower will not make a difference in those oils being stripped. Both a shower and bath will strip your skin of its natural oils. However, with baths, you are more likely to put skin nourishing additives in the water. For example, essential oils, mineral salts, bath bombs, oatmeal, honey, etc. These additional bath time ingredients will help to moisturize and replenish your skin. Just don’t forget to slather up with lotion to lock in the moisturizing benefits when you are finished in the tub.
- Bats are Good Stress-Relievers
While kids may take baths because they have to and they find them to be fun, most adults take baths because they are great stress relievers. Sitting, submerged in warm water, forces you to stop multitasking and genuinely take a few moments for yourself. Additionally, increasing your body temperature can help improve circulation, calm your nervous system, detoxify your body, and release endorphins. If you’ve seen Legally Blonde, then you know just how important endorphins are. Light a candle or drip essential oils into the bath for some at-home aromatherapy.
- Baths Can Burn as Many Calories as Cardio
Did you know that taking a bath can burn as many calories as working out? A one hour bath can burn around 130 calories, which is the equivalent of a thirty-minute walk. Again, taking a bath shouldn’t completely replace your workout routine, but you can reap both physical and emotional benefits of taking a bath.
Did you know that taking a bath can burn as many calories as working out? A one hour bath can burn around 130 calories, which is the equivalent of a thirty-minute walk. Again, taking a bath shouldn’t completely replace your workout routine, but you can reap both physical and emotional benefits of taking a bath.
Culled: HealthGuide