Taking a bath in the morning can be very refreshing, but taking a bath before sleep has its advantages as well. Taking a bath before sleep relaxes your body and helps you to have a sound sleep. Lack of sleep can cause help issues like hypertension, diabetes, etc. Bath before bedtime works as a remedy to have a good sleep. The reasons why should you take a bath before sleep are the following:
Why Should You Take a Bath Before Sleep?
Our body temperature is usually high during the day. It is almost three degrees higher in the afternoon compared to night’s body temperature. The temperature starts to drop in the evening.
An average person experiences a drop of .3°C to .6°C around their sleep time, and it’s the lowest during our sleep. It reaches the lowest level during the later part of the night. The temperature again starts to increase when we start to wake up.
When the body temperature starts dropping, we get a sense of tiredness. The body indicates that we need to sleep. In this regard, taking a warm bath before bed cools the body’s core temperature. If the body temperature goes down faster, the body tends to go to sleep mode faster.
This is why it is important to take a bath before bed, as having a cooler temperature helps you fall asleep more quickly. 10 mins bath is good enough to fall asleep faster.
What Are the Ideal Time and Water Temperature?
A bath taken one to two hours before sleep ensures a sound sleep. For the best results, you should take a bath 90 minutes before going to bed. The water temperature for baths needs to perfect to get quality sleep. Having the perfect temperature of the water is critical.
The temperature of the water needs to be within 40° to 43°C (104° to 109.4°F). This ideal time and water temperature ensure one to fall asleep almost 10 minutes faster. It usually takes 10-20 minutes to fall asleep for an adult.Â
However, if you are sleeping in a odd place like a futon bed, the sleep may not be proper. Read here about the best futon frame reviews.
Should You Take a Warm Bath or a Cold Bath?
Having the perfect temperature for water is essential to get a good night’s sleep. A cold shower stimulates your body and mind. It is refreshing and energizes you. For better sleep, we need the opposite of that. But that doesn’t mean you should take a hot shower.
A hot bath gives a similar result to a cold bath. A hot bath also gives you energy and wakes you up. It takes a longer time to cool your body down after taking a hot bath.Â
Lukewarm water is perfect for better sleep. The steam you get from lukewarm water works as a natural congestant. It helps you breathe better. A lukewarm water bath is also helpful for people who have asthma or allergies.Â
Experts say you should soak for 10 minutes in a warm bath. A bubble bath is preferable, as it allows the water to stay warm for a longer time.Â
Things to keep in mind
- Take a bath with lukewarm water
- Take a bath 1 to 2 hours before sleep
- Don’t take a bath right before sleep
- Soak for at least 10 minutes
- A bubble bath is even better
To Sum Things Up
It is an excellent practice to take a warm bath a few hours before sleep. It makes you relax after a tiring day and also helps you with breathing. If you get proper sleep, you feel energized the next day and be proactive.
After reading the article, the debate on “Should you take a bath before sleep?” does not exist. At the end of the day, it is always your choice when you prefer to take a bath.
