Gaby
Taking a daily shower is more controversial than it seems. How often should you shower? When is it necessary? Should the water be very hot or cold? Researchers keep studying these questions.
Cheers to the Morning Shower
According to the Sleep Foundation, 42 percent of surveyed American adults start their day with a bath or shower, while only 25 percent wash up right before bed. Meanwhile, 38 percent take a shower or bath at some point in the evening.
“I take a shower in the morning to really wake up and feel alive,” said dermatologist Alok Vij at the Cleveland Clinic. “I just don’t feel like myself if I start my day without a clean, freshly washed body,” he added.
This morning ritual has a biological basis. The human body relies on certain signals to regulate its circadian rhythms, and a regular shower can signal that it’s time to wake up and become more alert. The effect is particularly strong if you get used to taking a cool shower rather than a hot one. Cooler water prompts the body to release chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and can affect cortisol levels—together these influence mood and stress.
Moreover, at least one study has shown that a daily morning shower of any duration and temperature, ending with a 90-second blast of cold water, reduces the number of sick days by nearly a third. This routine also improves quality of life and boosts energy levels. The study found 91 percent of participants who previously reported discomfort from cold water said they would stick with the regimen.
Ultimately, there’s a straightforward argument in favor of morning showers: people sweat at night. Therefore, it’s essential to wash off sweat and bacteria, says Gary Goldenberg, a dermatology professor at the Icahn School of Medicine. For most of us, a morning shower is not just a boost of energy and the simple pleasure of feeling clean. There are plenty of reasons to take a morning shower.
What About Evening Showers?
There are many compelling reasons to take a shower in the evening, not least of which is the need to wash off makeup and the dirt that accumulate on the skin throughout the day, especially if you work out in the evening.
But an evening shower is beneficial not only for sleep hygiene. Just like the morning shower, it acts as a circadian marker, signaling to our bodies that it’s time to go to bed.
“The body naturally cools down as bedtime approaches, in sync with circadian rhythms,” said clinical psychologist Janet Kennedy. A warm shower briefly raises body temperature and the subsequent cooling helps speed up the natural drop that aids falling asleep. She recommends taking an evening shower about 90 minutes before bedtime.
Another study showed that taking a bath for ten minutes an hour or two before going to bed improves sleep quality and efficiency. An evening water ritual can also serve as a sleep aid, according to IFLScience.
In Conclusion
“There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which shower is better—morning or evening,” said Dr. Vij. Everyone is different. Experiment and settle on the option that works best for you. In any case, it’s important to choose what makes you happy, he added.
