Shower Power

You’ve probably heard about individuals going about their week without showering for days! We’re sure that it’s rather hard to imagine doing the same when living in a tropical climate. It’s safe to say that if given a choice, showering daily is a must when living in Malaysia or any humid climate. It helps to cool your body down, wash away the dirt and leave you smelling good.

Though wait, there’s actually more to that when you take a shower or a bath. Whether you’re running a quick shower or a steaming bath, let’s take a page or two to revisit our cleansing routine.

THE BENEFITS

It’s more than just the benefits mentioned above. Baths, steam showers and saunas can:

#1 IMPROVE IMMUNE FUNCTION AND LOWER BLOOD SUGAR

Research shows that a hot shower can burn calories too! Equivalent to a 30-minute walk, hot water reduces blood sugar levels and calorie count. It can also relieve respiratory symptoms by opening airways, loosening phlegm and clearing our nasal passages.

#2 IMPROVE CONCENTRATION AND ENERGY

It’s a preferred morning start, but cold water is proven to be a natural pick-me-up. Early birds experience a drop in melatonin, the sleep hormone, which leads to the body feeling a jolt of blood circulation, heart and breathing rate. Finding an alternative for a cuppa? Try waking yourself up with a chilly shower!

#3 LESSEN FATIGUE AND ANXIETY

Spa days spell relaxation and self-care. This is because warm water can reduce one’s risk of feeling down, anxious and even alleviate fatigue. In turn, it lifts moods and promotes calmness. Top this with a facial session, body massage and some scrubbing, heaven is here!

#4 RIDS SKIN OF DIRT AND BACTERIA

If you’re too lazy to take a shower, at least do it for some charming looks. A nice warm bath flies open your pores and release toxins and gunk from it. However, ensure the temperature isn’t boiling. No one wants to walk around with burned skin right?

SHOWERING THROUGH THE SEASONS

Climate change is transforming our weather. The winters are colder and drier, and the summers are hotter and more humid. The different seasons can have irritation effects on dry and sensitive skin if not looked into.

Here’s what you can do to avoid dry skin:

• Shortening shower time to no more than 5 to 10 minutes.
• Closing the door to the bathroom to capture the steam and increase the humidity.
• Replacing hot water and soap with warm water and gentle cleansers.
• Using the smallest amount of cleanser possible to clean the skin.
• Drying the skin gently after bathing.
• Applying plenty of oil-based moisturising cream or ointment within 3 minutes of showering to trap moisture in the skin.

HOT WATER VS COLD WATER

Ever wondered if there’s a difference between taking a hot or cold shower?

So, which is better?

Both! Ideally, bathing in lukewarm water and slathering moisturisers and lotions to damp skin can lock in moisture and prevent dry skin.

Another approach is trying out contrast showering. This age-old technique begins by bathing in cold water for one minute. Then, change to hot water for another minute. This alternation for three to five cycles gives you the best of both worlds. Cold water constricts blood vessels and hot water allows gushing blood flow.

Showering can be tailored differently to our needs. The places we go, people we meet and jobs we do may require different shower routines. Now that you know showering does more than just maintaining our appearance, why not diversify it with some self-care? No matter what your shower routine is, we hope you make the most out of it!

Sources: Healthline, Medical News Today, WebMD, Health Shots