Taking a hot shower before bed can cool your body down
Jul 10, 2024, 4:45 PM | Updated: 6:13 pm
The nation is experiencing a heat wave and Colorado is about to hit a historic heatwave of multiple 100 degree days.
Everyone is looking for a way to stay cool, especially when you are sleeping. Have you thought about taking a hot shower before going to bed? Not a cold shower…but a hot shower?
It sounds counterintuitive, but the heat from the shower can help to cool your body temperature when you lay down. “What happens is that dilates the blood vessels in your skin, which helps the body dissipate heat, which allows your body to cool off, to fall asleep, ” said Dr. Nathaniel Watson, Director of the University of Washington’s Sleep Medicine clinic.
“What happens is that dilates the blood vessels in your skin, which helps the body dissipate heat, which allows your body to cool off, to fall asleep.” Watson said.
The best environment for sleep is a cool and dark room. Fans and open windows will help to circulate air in the bedroom. In a pinch, try putting an ice pack under your neck in bed. A hot shower also lowers your blood pressure…reduces nasal congestion and even sends a message to your body that it is time to fall asleep.
Taking a cold shower will not cool you down while you are sleeping, but there are other health benefits to bathing in cold water, such as reducing muscle soreness and fatigue.
Cold water immersion raises levels of cortisol and norepinephrine. Cortisol is involved in boosting alertness levels, and consequently, cortisol levels in the body usually fall in preparation for sleep. In one study, participants compared the energy boost of a cold shower to the effects of drinking caffeine.
Do you shower before bed or in the morning? Would you take a hot shower to cool down? Read more about the study here
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