Waking up in the early hours of the morning and wanting to take a bath; I’m positive that more than half of us will go for hot baths. We would choose the hot bath because it can shield our bodies from cold and provide the warmth that we so desire.
It is however good to allow a cold bath have a place in your daily routine.
Going further, paying no attention to how we might feel about either of the two, studies have made it known that both cold and hot baths have useful health benefits that we should take note of.
Benefits of Cold baths
- Calming itching sensations on skin
- Shaking you awake and making you alert in the morning.
- Assists in increased circulation thereby causing a reduction in inflammation and preventing cardiovascular disease.
- It reduces post-workout soreness of the muscles.
- May induce weight loss
- Causes both your skin and hair to glow.
READ ALSO: Goitre: The disease caused by iodine deficiency
However, taking cold baths might not be the brightest idea for people who are already cold as makes the individual colder and even extend the period of time it will take to get warm. Same thing goes for those who are down with a sickness; the cold temperature can initially be too harsh on your immune system.
Benefits of Hot baths
- It brings about a relief from cold and other respiratory symptoms.
- Assists in clearing away blemishes
- Effective for relaxation of muscles
Negative downsides of hot baths include an increase in blood pressure, itching, drying out and irritating skin and worsening skin conditions.
With the undeniable benefits attached to both type of baths, it can be somewhat confusing as to which to choose.
It is better to take lukewarm baths or alternate between cycles of cold and hot water during a bath. Doing this would assist in pumping blood completely through the organs and muscles as the cold and hot water constrict and open up blood vessels respectively. It can also assist in regeneration and detox.