Do you like your shower scorching hot, lukewarm or invigoratingly cold?
Everyone has a different preference when they hop in and lather themselves in soap. But a doctor wants people to know that your washing habits can impact how you sleep.
Dr Karan Raj took to social media to share his thoughts. He said: “If you’re going to sleep and if you want a good sleep, having a warm shower before bed paradoxically cools your core body temperature, so you get a good sleep.”
Apparently, you “need a lower core body temperature before going to sleep; it lowers the sleep threshold”. However, if you want to wake yourself up then this isn’t advised.
According to the health expert, having a cold shower in the morning “will make you more alert because it will raise your body temperature”. This may even have positive impacts “throughout the day” – as you’ll be more on the ball.
Dr Raj believes showering with cold water in the morning and hot water evening “fits in with our circadian cues”. And there is science to back this up.
According to a study in the National Library of Medicine: “Research suggests a warm bath or shower an hour or two before bedtime can help you unwind and fall asleep faster. Why? It will help lower your core temperature, and that’s a circadian sleep signal.”
Well, you learn something new every day! And if you want to brush up on more sleep knowledge, don’t go anywhere because we’ve got you covered.
Previously, an expert urged people not to use a common over counter cold remedy if you want to sleep well. Alternatively, use this sleep guru’s method to drift off in minutes.
And in other news, you should ask yourself three simple questions before hitting the hay every night.