Bathing has a long and detailed history. Immersing ourselves in water, whether in a bath container or simply under a water shower, is something we do for personal cleanliness, recreation, and health. There is nothing more pleasant than swimming in the pool on a hot day or taking a scented warm bath during the colder months.
Earlier, access to the hot waters was almost impossible and people living in colder areas were unable to take hot baths. But after the invention of new technologies like an electric tankless water heater, now it is possible to enjoy a hot water bath even if the outside temperature is in negative numbers.
It does not matter what you take, a hot or cold shower, showers are great for us in many ways. Cold showers, as scary as they may be, are great for waking us up in the morning as we prepare for a long hectic day at work.
On the other hand, hot showers are soothing and relaxing especially when we are exhausted or tense. In addition to helping us relax, do you know that hot showers also offer lots of health benefits? Here are some of those explained below.
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A Hot Bath Burn Calories
When it comes to burning calories, you probably don’t think about relaxing in the bathtub. But according to a recent study, an hour of soaking in a hot tub if the temperature is 104 degrees Fahrenheit can burn exactly as many calories as half an hour of walking.
It is not suggested that it is a good substitute for exercise, but it is a nice bonus for taking a hot bath and burning the remaining calories after the sweating exercise.
While losing weight in a hot tub may seem strange, research has shown that sitting for an hour in a hot tub burns the same number of calories as a half-hour walk. Isn’t it incredible? This is a phenomenon called passive heating and it comes straight from a genuine scientific magazine, “Temperature.”
The study, which was published in the journal “Temperature,” was led by Steve Faulkner, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist at Loughborough University. Faulkner examined the connection between taking a hot bath, a person’s blood sugar levels, and the number of calories burned. He conducted the study on 14 men, some of whom were overweight and the results were amazing.
He found that taking a hot bath burns about 140 calories per hour. A calorie is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a gram of water by one degree Celsius. The calories we are talking about in food are the amount of energy released when those foods are burned.
Of course, the first law of thermodynamics applies to humans, so if you consume less energy than you use, it is impossible to store that energy in the form of body fat. But many factors influence energy balance.
The body burns and stores energy from different foods in different ways and at different times in different people in different ways. However, he found that a hot bath was equally beneficial for people with different energy balance.
The experiment also revealed that bathing lowers the men’s peak blood sugar level after eating, 10 percent more than exercise.
Improves Blood Circulation
Hot showers have been shown to help lower blood pressure. This is because hot water can help to widen our veins and arteries, thus improving our blood circulation.
However, to be safe, ask your doctor about showering with hot water and how this can help lower blood pressure. Settling in hot water not only feels good, but that pleasure also gives you strength.
According to psychologist Neil Morris, who surveyed eighty people, bathing can lessen feelings of depression and pessimism because baths provide you a wonderful combination of isolation, calm, and comfort.
The feelings of closeness we experience while being submerged in the hot liquid give us connotations of being in the womb, and it is very comforting. Suggests Dr. John, chairman of the spa foundation’s medical advisory committee.
A Hot Bath Helps You Breathe Better
Being submerged in water beyond the chest with the head extended can have a good influence on lung capacity and oxygen supply. Two factors contribute to this, the temperature of the water and the pressure that the water exerts on the chest and lungs.
When the water is warmer and your heart beats faster, your oxygen supply can be improved and the steam created can clean your sinuses and chest.
Absorption in a little warmer water, such as swimming in a natural body of water or an unheated pool, can help reduce the risk of infection in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Studies of prepubertal girls have shown that swimming can improve the growth and capacity of the lungs due to the resistance it provides and the breathing techniques necessary for endurance. You should take deeper and deeper rhythmic breaths, which improves the strength and ability of your lungs.
A Hot Bath Refreshes Our Skin
We all want our skin to be fresh and clean, aren’t we? The good news for all of us is that hot showers can give us that extra level of sanitation! This is because most germs and bacteria cannot withstand moderate increases in temperature.
This is also why it is advisable to clean your open wound, if you have any, with hot water, as this can help kill harmful microorganisms and speed up the healing process.
A Hot Bath Keeps Our Hormones Stable
Conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and certain fertility problems can be alleviated by bathing in both warmer and cooler temperatures. The hormones released by the pituitary gland, such as the adrenocorticotropic gland, and other hormones such as beta-endorphin and cortisol, can become more balanced.
Alternatively, the hot bath can increase levels of serotonin, which is the chemical produced by the brain associated with happiness and well-being.
Conclusion
Bath is necessary for all and after reading all these benefits of hot water, hope this is enough to ignite a spark in you to start taking a hot water bath, and if you are not getting hot water in your bathrooms, better call a good plumber, fix the issue and start taking a hot bath, at least once in a day and see how your life-changes in a good way.