As children, most people loved taking baths – splashing around in the shower or bathtub. However, when you get older, you don’t have much time to enjoy yourself, and then it becomes a daily chore that you have to do to keep yourself clean. According to Harvard Health, in addition to believing that bathing daily is good for health, many people choose to bathe daily for a variety of reasons, including:

• Concerns about body odor
• help you wake up feeling refreshed
• a morning routine that includes exercise

Why should you shower every day?

Here are some reasons why taking a daily shower is good for you, and some tips to get the most out of it:

Helps improve mental health

According to experts, bathing daily can significantly reduce stress hormones and balance serotonin levels – which helps regulate mood. Dr Divya Gopal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, told Times Now, “Bathing can be a great form of self-care, offering relaxation with soothing music, a good book, and your favourite scent.”

It helps relieve stress and calm you mentally. Doctors say that stress is linked to many health problems such as:

• sore muscles
• heart diseases
• indigestion and acid reflux
• Weak immunity
• weight gain

Studies say that hot bath therapy has a positive effect on people suffering from depression as it helps regulate mood.

Control your sleep

It is widely known that for overall health and well-being, it is important to regulate and enhance the sleep efficiency of 8-9 hours per day. And hence, experts say that taking a warm bath before going to bed helps you fall asleep faster and better. Bathing can make you feel comfortable, bring your blood to the surface – drawing heat from inside the body, and lowering the body temperature which promotes relaxation and uninterrupted sleep.

Experts say that bathing also creates a great environment for meditation – helping you to disconnect from the everyday stress. “For best results, take a bath for 10 to 15 minutes about an hour before bedtime,” says Dr. Gopal.

Helps in faster wound healing

Taking a bath daily provides relief to infected wounds and cuts. According to doctors, soaking the affected area in warm salt water helps in healing the wound faster. But some wounds should be kept dry, so always consult your doctor before taking a bath.

Soothes muscle and joint pain

Soaking in warm water often helps relieve muscle aches, tension, pain, and even inflammation. According to doctors, taking a bath helps you relieve your muscle pain and improves your range of movements and ability to exercise.

However, you can also consider ice baths for similar effects – as they help ease sore muscles. Cool the bath temperature to between 53-68 degrees Fahrenheit (about 12 to 20 degrees Celsius) and soak in it for 10-15 minutes for a quick effect.

Exfoliation of the skin

Of course, bathing helps you keep yourself clean, as sweat and dirt stick to your skin, clogging pores and causing bacterial and fungal growth, leading to a variety of infections. “Warm water opens up your pores, allowing for a deeper clean and making your soap more effective,” Dr. Gopal said.

And so, while you shower, scrub your face and body every week to keep your skin silky smooth. It also protects you from irritation, inflammation, and scars caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells. Warm water can open up the skin pores and flush out the dirt that has accumulated throughout the day and allow your soap to really penetrate and do its job.

How many times should you shower in a day?

Experts say that while there’s no ideal frequency, showering twice a day – once in the morning and just before bed – is good for most people. A short shower – three or four minutes, focusing on the armpits and groin – may be enough.

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