While science from time immemorial has proved that early to be and early to rise does keep one healthy if not wealthy, debate still rages on as to the best time for a shower. Which is better, a night shower or a morning shower.
While some love to get all fresh and wide eyed by a nice shower in the morning, there are many who prefer a night shower because it helps them sleep. Well! They aren’t wrong.
Studies have now proven that where sleep is concerned, your night shower is the best possible nightcap. In a research study, nine women volunteers were divided into three sleep categories. The first group took a warm shower before bed. The second group took a hot foot soak before sleeping and the third did none of these. This was the result.
Those who took a night shower or a foot soak found it easier to sleep and even reported an improved quality of asleep.
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It just so happens that a night shower cools your body down helping you to relax. According to Dr. Dianna Augelli, of the Center for Sleep Medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center: “You don’t want to heat yourself up right before bed, Cooling down is a signal that tells us we’re supposed to go to sleep.”
If you don’t like having a shower before going to bed, then a foot bath is also the next best thing to do. Just fill up a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it while reading a book.
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As per science, it also appears that a cold shower has a lot of benefits according to Carl Thornfeldt MD, a dermatologist involved with skin research for over 30 years. Cold showers contract fibers around pores, muscles and hairs improving skin tone and firmness. Contrary to popular belief that hot showers opens and clean pores, it is better to close them stated Dr. Thornfeldt “Closing pores helps keep pollution from getting into the skin, at least temporarily,” he said.
According to the doctor, cold showers strengthen skin arterioles and veins as well as improve the constriction and dilation of blood vessels which also improves the skins response to injury. Too hot or too cold water are both bad. The best medium is to shower with tepid water and finish off with a cold rinse. Now you know the best time for a shower and how to take one too, your perfect nightcap.
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