Many people jump into showers to wash themselves and start the day, but few people think of it as a particularly relaxing activity. While a bath is often considered more relaxing than a shower, simply because you’re soaking in warm water, warm showers have plenty of benefits, too. In fact, showers can be just as relaxing as baths, and many offer the same benefits. Here are some ways a warm shower can help relax you.
Relaxes Your Muscles
If your muscles are sore or you’ve had a particularly difficult workout, showering with warm water can soothe and relax your tense muscles. Warm water dilates your blood vessels, improving blood circulation and delivering more oxygen. Oxygen is essential for muscle recovery.
Improves Your Mood
Warm showers encourage the body to release oxytocin, which is a natural hormone in our brain. Oxytocin can help lower anxiety and stress, ultimately improving your mood and contributing to a sense of calm. As an added bonus, showers also decrease the level of cortisol in your body, which is the stress hormone. Lastly, the combination of warm water and the release of oxytocin can trigger the release of another chemical: endorphins. Endorphins are known as the “feel-good” chemical and act as a mood booster.
Enhances Your Sleep
Because of a warm shower’s calming effect, taking a shower right before bed can improve your sleep. Showering can also be used as a calming ritual an hour or two before you go to bed. More importantly, showering lowers the body’s temperature, which is essential for restful sleep.
To create a relaxing environment when you shower, dim your bathroom lights and play soothing music. You can also add calming scents, like lavender or eucalyptus.
Cold Showers and White Blood Cells
Cold showers can also be relaxing, and they can even help boost your immune system. Start your shower with warm water, and then rinse off with a burst of cold water. This cold water acts as a sort of therapy, stimulating the production of white blood cells. To get the full benefit of a cold shower, switch to cold water for 30, 60, or 90 seconds.
Install a High-Quality Shower
Now that you’re aware of how beneficial showers can be, you may want to convert your bath to a shower with a custom enclosure. Shower enclosures can be tailored to your bathroom needs, or you can choose some of the standard options, like the single threshold base. You can also explore features such as acrylic surrounds or personalized doors that offer privacy. Additional details to think about include accessories, such as built-in seating or towel caddies.
Ready to install a shower with an enclosure in your home? Turn to our experts for professional shower installation solutions. For more information about our shower enclosures, contact Charleston Bath Experts in Charleston, SC.
