Choosing when to shower is a personal choice. Sometimes, it’s hygiene-related, sometimes it’s routine, and sometimes it’s a morning vs. evening thing. While all options have advantages, research suggests that a nighttime shower offers some distinct benefits, especially when it comes to promoting better sleep and enhancing overall skin health.
1. Cleansing After a Long Day
The easiest benefit to point out is simply washing off the dirt and grime you collected all day. Your body will inevitably pick up environmental pollutants, sweat, and bacteria, all affecting your skin. These things need to be washed off before tucking in for several hours and letting them fester on you – not to mention getting mixed up with your sheets ready for you for the next night too. A night shower helps remove these impurities, leaving you clean heading into bed. Dr. Alok Vij, a dermatologist, notes that not washing off these pollutants can cause skin irritation or exacerbate conditions like acne.
2. A Relaxing Bedtime Ritual
Showering at night also acts as a signal to the body that it’s time to slow down and get ready for sleep. Dr. David Rosen, a sleep physician, explains that the body naturally begins cooling down in the evening as part of its preparation for sleep. A warm shower can enhance this process, helping to lower your core body temperature, promoting relaxation, and making it easier to fall asleep. Hot or warm, the increase in skin temperature from a shower helps tell your body that rest is coming, which should help give you a better nights’ sleep.
3. Hot Showers and Sleep Quality
Speaking of sleep quality, a warm shower or bath an hour or two before bed can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. This is due to the “warm bath effect,” where warm water stimulates blood flow to the hands and feet, letting any excess heat escape your body and helping to regulate its internal temperature. Studies have found that people who take a warm evening shower tend to fall asleep faster and have better overall sleep quality.
4. Clean Skin for Better Sleep
A good night’s sleep starts with clean skin. When you take a shower before going to bed, you’re able to cleanse your face and body of any residual skincare products, sweat, and oils from the day. This is particularly important if you were wearing any sunscreen, makeup, or other skin care treatments that clog your pores. A night shower removes these residues and ensures that your skin has a literal clean slate before bed. Dr. Vij recommends applying moisturizers and skin care products after a nighttime shower, as your skin is more receptive to hydration. This is especially important for people with dry or sensitive skin, as nighttime moisturization helps lock in moisture and prevents dehydration overnight. Waking up with fresh, healthy skin is great for sleep and great for your health.
5. Aids in Reducing Muscle Tension
For athletes or anyone experience muscle soreness, a shower in the evening can help relax tight muscles. Warm water increases blood flow, which can help relieve any tension or soreness from physical activity or a lack thereof from sitting in one position all day. This is especially beneficial if you’ve had a physically demanding day and need to unwind before bed. Cold showers, on the other hand, can increase muscle tension and alertness, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
6. Dealing with Allergies and Congestion
If you’re dealing with allergies or nasal congestion, a warm shower at night can prove to be a powerful relief. Inhaling warm steam from your shower helps clear your nasal passages, making it easier to breathe before bed. While steam doesn’t directly treat your allergies, it can temporarily ease symptoms, which might help you get to sleep more comfortably. A hot shower can also improve blood circulation, helping to soothe any discomfort caused by congestion. Once you’re asleep, your body can work on fighting any allergies or viral issues.
Shower Thoughts
Early morning showers certainly have their perks – they can help you feel more awake and can prepare your skin for the day ahead. But showering at night provides unique benefits that can promote better sleep, improved skin health, and greater relaxation as you end your day. Whether you prefer a warm, relaxing shower to wind down or just need to wash away the day’s sweat and grime, adding a nightly shower into your routine might be exactly what the doctor ordered. Try incorporating it into your schedule and experience the enhanced comfort and relaxation that comes with an evening shower.
