Hot Shower vs. Cold Shower: Which One is Better?

If you crave a hot shower every morning, you’re not alone. Thousands of Americans begin their day with a nice hot shower. But there are some people who can’t imagine spending a day without a cold shower?

That’s right. While some people prefer having a hot bubbling bath or shower, others prefer to stick to a cold shower.

Regardless of the kind of shower you enjoy, many research studies indicate that both hot and cold showers have their own pros and cons. Let’s review a few of these in this guide.

Pros and Cons of Cold Showers

Let’s begin with the benefits of cold showers.

Pros

Relieves Itchy Skin

Many dermatologists recommend taking a cold shower every day to relieve itchy skin. That’s because cold showers may help you overcome the urge to scratch.

Makes you More Alert

As soon as that cold spray hits your body, you get a pleasant shock that increases your heart rate and your oxygen intake. As a result, you feel more active and alert after taking a cold shower.

Boosts Blood Circulation

As cold water hits our body and external limbs, it causes the blood in the deeper tissues to circulate faster. For that reason, a cold shower delivers an opposite effect of a hot shower for an individual who is suffering from heart disease or hypertension. Cold showers can reduce inflammation and prevent many types of cardiovascular diseases.

Gives a Healthy Glow to Your Skin

Although there is limited scientific evidence to study the effect of cold water on our hair and skin, anecdotal evidence indicates positive effects. Since a cold shower constricts and tightens the blood flow, our skin can get better and healthier. Another study points out that cold water strengthens the hair cuticles and doesn’t dry out the sebum layer. Enjoy shiny hair and glowing skin, thanks to your daily cold shower.

Cons

Here are a few cons of having a cold shower frequently.

• Cold showers are not a good idea if you are already feeling cold. After a cold shower in the chilly season, your body will take more time to warm back again.
• If you are sick or have weak immunity, a cold shower can be too hard on your body.

Pros and Cons of Hot Showers

The first advice anyone will give you to resolve sleep and stress issues is to indulge in a hot shower. That’s because hot showers relax our muscles and offer relief from respiratory or cold symptoms.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros of taking a hot shower.

Pros

Relieves Cold and Cough

One of the oldest natural remedies to relieve cold and cough is to take a hot shower. The heat and steam from the warm water clear out our nasal passages and loosen up phlegm.

Prevents Blemishes

Hot showers open up the skin’s pores and remove any trapped oil and dirt particles.

Good for Muscle Relaxation

Getting a hot shower relieves tension in your muscles. Many athletes and exercise buffs take a hot shower frequently to soothe muscle fatigue.

Cons

Here are some cons of your favorite hot shower.

• Hot showers can irritate and dry out the skin
• Extremely hot showers can worsen your skin conditions. If you have eczema or other skin conditions, avoid frequent hot showers.
• A hot shower may increase your blood pressure. People who have cardiovascular diseases and blood pressure should avoid hot showers.

Bottom Line

The best way to get the most out of your shower routine is to start the shower with hot water and then switch to cold water in the middle. However, make sure to switch back to hot water in the end to open your body’s blood vessels.