Is it better to take a cold shower or a hot shower?

The main health benefits of cold showers

Boost the immune system

Cold showers can help boost the immune system, by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which are protective cells that increase the body's ability to defend against illnesses like the flu or cold.

The temperature of the bath water can bring different health benefits. Illustration photo: internet

A scientific study conducted in the Netherlands found that people who took cold showers in the morning had less severe flu symptoms than those who took normal showers, as well as feeling more energetic, which also helped them recover from illness more easily.

Increased mood and alertness

Cold showers increase alertness and feelings of well-being because they improve blood circulation, increase the body's need for oxygen, and ultimately reduce fatigue. In this way, taking a cold shower as soon as you wake up can give you more motivation to perform your daily tasks.

Improve blood circulation

Cold showers help improve circulation because when cold water comes in contact with the skin, it causes the blood vessels on the surface of the body to constrict, resulting in increased blood circulation in the body in an effort to maintain body temperature.

In addition to making blood circulation more efficient, cold showers reduce the production of inflammatory substances and help prevent cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure.

Helps treat depression

Some studies show that cold showers can help treat depression, because cold water activates cold receptors in the skin, sending different electrical signals to the brain, leading to an increase in endorphin levels, a neurotransmitter that ensures feelings of happiness.

However, more research is needed to truly prove this effect. Additionally, it is important that people with depression continue to follow the treatment prescribed by their psychiatrist, as cold showers are not a substitute for medical treatment.

Muscle pain relief

Cold showers promote blood vessel constriction, reduce muscle pain, and aid muscle recovery after intense physical activity. Some studies have shown that cold showers can reduce inflammation and prevent muscle fatigue.

Additionally, by causing the blood vessels to constrict, cold showers also help reduce any swelling that the patient may have that causes pain.

Speed ​​up metabolism

Taking a cold shower can help speed up your metabolism because when your body is exposed to cold water, it expends more energy to keep warm, increasing calorie burn.

Additionally, cold showers also stimulate the production of brown fat, a specific type of fat tissue that produces energy by burning calories, which can help many people who want to lose weight.

Skin health care

Cold showers help maintain skin health, as they do not strip away natural oils and do not dry out the skin as is often the case with hot showers, in addition to temporarily closing pores, reducing the penetration of pollution into the skin and improving skin firmness.

In addition, cold showers also promote the constriction of blood vessels in the skin, and fight redness and itching, which can be helpful in relieving skin problems that cause itching, redness or swelling, such as hives or eczema.

Prevent dry hair

Cold showers and cold water shampoos help retain the natural oils of your hair, closing your pores and sealing the cuticles of your strands, leaving your hair softer, smoother and more hydrated. Additionally, with your strands pores closed, your hair is less exposed to the damaging effects of pollution and sweat, which can dry out your strands.

However, washing your hair with cold water can be uncomfortable for some people, and in these cases, it is advisable to wash your hair with warm water, but not hot water, as hot water dehydrates the strands and can aggravate dry hair.

The main benefits of hot baths

Reduce respiratory problems

Taking a hot bath helps relieve respiratory problems, such as sinusitis, flu or bronchitis, because the hot and moist steam from the bath water loosens phlegm, opens the airways, reduces irritation and swelling of the airways, and relieves symptoms of nasal congestion or runny nose, headaches and coughs.

Helps you sleep better

Taking a hot bath before bed helps relax muscles, relieve stress and fatigue, allowing you to sleep better.

In addition, taking a hot bath 60 to 90 minutes before going to bed also helps calm down, reduce anxiety and stress, and makes you feel clean, helping you relax and sleep easier.

Relax your muscles

Hot baths help relax muscles and relieve muscle pain, because hot water promotes blood flow, which helps carry excess lactic acid and other toxins out of the muscles, reducing pain. Hot baths are indicated when muscle pain lasts more than 48 hours, because in the first few days, the best thing to do is take a cold bath to reduce inflammation.

Hot baths are also helpful for relieving body tension, muscle or joint pain caused by fibromyalgia, arthritis or back pain, as the dilation of blood vessels allows more blood, oxygen and nutrients to reach the tissues.

Remove toxins from the skin

Taking a hot shower allows you to open up your skin's pores, allowing you to clean out dirt, excess oil and toxins from your skin that have built up throughout the day, leaving your skin feeling fresher and cleaner.

Migraine Relief

Taking a hot bath can also help relieve migraines and headaches, as it reduces pain signals to the brain and increases blood flow in the muscles, which helps relax and relieve migraines or headaches.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/tam-nuoc-lanh-hay-tam-nuoc-nong-tot-hon.html