Showering and bathing have mental and physical health benefits. It’s really important for everyone to have access to showering or bathing for their overall health.

We all know that bathing and showering can have calming effects, which can aid in restful sleep, or that warm or cold water can help sooth muscles, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. Showering has physical health benefits dependent on the temperature of the water. Warm showers can cause the body to release growth hormones that help repair damaged cells and speed along recovery. If you take a cold shower it helps increase your oxygen intake and increase your heart rate causing blood to rush through the body. This helps circulate the blood through the body; it can help lower blood pressure and combat skin and heart problems. Cool showers also help relieve sore muscles which can speed up muscle recovery. Cold water also tightens cuticles in your hair and the pores of your skin preventing pores from getting clogged. Warm water on the other hand also works to detoxify the body by making you sweat. If someone is sick with a cold or sinus infection, they can use hot water showers as a natural decongestant and can help detoxify the body through sweating.

We assume, too, that that one’s mental wellbeing is also increased. Research does indeed correlate showering and bathing in treatment plans that help people dealing with depression. Indeed, it is known to make people feel more optimistic, increase their ability to feel pleasure, and lowers anxiety! Hot showers can ease the feeling of anxiety by increasing oxytocin levels.