Doing this in the shower can cause sleep problems

Hot and cold showers serve their purpose. Whether it’s a very hot day and you want to cool off or love to stand under hot water, extreme temperatures can affect us both positively and negatively.

The Washington Post spoke to several doctors who gave their opinions on showering and sleeping. It turns out that temperature and timing play a very important role.

RELATED: Want Better Sleep? Try this 1-2 hours before bed

“If you shower just before bed and it’s a very hot or cold shower, that temperature can negatively affect your sleep,” said sleep neurologist Rachel Salas, MD. “What you do is make your body temperature so different from the baseline.”

Photo by 955169 via Pixabay

Extreme temperatures seem to be the problem. Super hot or cold showers offer similar experiences and give your body a jolt that can be helpful in the morning or when you need to stay vigilant.

Taking a warm bath or shower a few hours before bed can have the opposite effect and help you fall asleep faster.

RELATED: Many people gave up this daily hygiene routine during the pandemic

Experts explain that a warm shower heats up your body. Once the water has evaporated from your skin, your body will begin to cool down. This feeling of cooling down naturally your body goes through when you fall asleep and is a signal for your brain to prepare for a temporary shutdown. The warm water could help you speed up the process.

Photo by Ivan Obolensky via Pexels

RELATED: Revenge Sleep Delay Is More Common Than You Think – That Is What It Means

There is a lot of freedom when it comes to showering, when people shower first thing in the morning to feel energized, going to bed late at night, or maybe on their break from work as work from home is possible. If you shower in moderate temperatures, the timing of the shower makes little difference and can be used in your favor.