Hot showers can help you sleep better and cool down from heat exposure. However, research says that cold showers are the best way to shower after working out. Cold showers offer a surprising number of health benefits, including protecting your skin, preserving your natural hair oils, and improving hydration.
Although the evidence is mixed, many studies suggest that cold, especially cold-water immersion, is better than heat for exercise recovery. Many experts, including the American College of Sports Medicine, recommend cold instead of heat therapy to aid muscle recovery.
In conclusion, cold and heat therapies are both effective for enhancing muscle recovery and reducing muscle damage with heat being superior immediately after exercise and cold at 24 hours after exercise. Cold is superior for pain relief immediately after exercise and at 24 hours.
If you're in doubt about a hot or cold shower after gym sessions, opt for 'contrast showers' – a mix of hot and cold water for a dreamy shower sweet-spot. The cold should help strengthen immunity in the long run and help treat sore muscles, while the hot water may help reduce swelling and relax your muscles.
NO, in fact it is very helpful. When you work out you cause some inflammation. A cold shower will decrease that inflammation and thus allow the muscles optimal function and growth. It will also decrease your reaction to working out so that your recovery is quicker.
Boosts Metabolism and Weight Loss
Regular cold showers stimulate the production of brown fat, a type of fat that generates heat by burning calories. Over time, this can aid in weight management and potentially support weight loss efforts when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
Cold water reduces your core body temperature and helps lower your heart rate which improves your exercise performance and recovery. Your core body temperature increases with exercise. Cooling your body down during intervals between exercises and after completing your exercise session is very important.
Yes, showering as soon as possible after a workout is crucial to maintaining optimal skin health – helping prevent body odour, skin redness and/or dryness, acne and bacterial infection of minor cuts and abrasions. Aim to shower within 30 minutes if you can.
Cold showers can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve circulation, lower stress levels, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Hot showers, meanwhile, can improve cardiovascular health, soothe stiff joints, and improve sleep. Understanding when to take a hot or cold shower is essential.
After working out, your sweat will dry out, causing your body temperature to drop.
Should you shower before or after a workout? While it may seem counterintuitive to shower before exercising, it can help warm up your muscles before your pre-workout stretch. Showering after a workout allows you to wash off sweat or dirt while soothing your muscles, which is more beneficial.
A 2019 study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that taking a cold shower after a workout resulted in faster heart rate recovery.
Taking cold showers every day for 30 days may lead to increased energy levels and alertness as well as improved overall health. Your skin and hair may feel and look better due to the reduced drying and irritating effects of a hot shower. However, remember, individual responses to cold therapy vary.
A hot shower won't only help you wash away your sweat and grime, but it can also help lower your stress levels. “Those who have taken a warm shower after stressful days or high-impact workouts can attest to its calming effects,” Simon says.
Electrolyte imbalance
These electrolytes are crucial for muscle function, nerve signalling, and fluid balance. Drinking plain water immediately after a workout can exacerbate an electrolyte imbalance by further diluting the body's electrolyte levels.
Risks of taking a cold shower
Your body's reaction to cold water puts added stress on your heart and could lead to an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. “It's going to tax your heart in a way that could be dangerous,” says Carter.
Do eat protein and carbohydrate-rich foods, support the muscles, drink plenty of water, practise a cool down, and try relaxing activities. At the same time, do not come to an immediate stop after exercise, avoid alcohol, don't eat sugary foods and avoid another workout!
All in all, your cool-down should take about 15-25 minutes — so, that's the expert-recommended to time you should wait to shower after exercising!
The short answer is yes, but whether it provides all of the recovery benefits you might think it does is still up for debate. A 2019 study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that taking a cold shower after a workout resulted in faster heart rate recovery.
Start the change by lowering the thermostat to a lukewarm range of 37 to 40 deg Celsius. Of course, hot showers are only one cause of premature skin aging. Keep at a moisture- and antioxidant-rich skincare routine to maintain a youthful appearance.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.