8 Health Conditions That Bathing Can Improve | More Ability
Published: 10 May 2016
Sparing a good half an hour, 3 times a week, to relax, unwind and take a well-deserved prolonged soak can improve your health ten-fold. More to the point bathing can help improve, overcome and even cure 8 common health conditions that, at some point in our lives, we will all experience at least 1 of.
In no particular order here are the 8 health conditions bathing will help:
1. Poor blood circulation?
Blood is pumped from the heart and circulated all around the body. The further the from the heart the harder is it to circulate blood to this area, typically legs and feet, which is why good circulation is highly important. Poor circulation can affect diabetes, mobility, worsen arthritis, MS & ME and conditions affecting the nerves resulting in increased pain, swollen limbs and cramp.
Bathing can be used as a light exercise / therapeutic healer for the heart and its ability to circulate blood. The warm water creates physical pressure on the body and as a result increases the capacity of our heart. When we're inside the water, the heart works faster and stronger - a few dips a week is an excellent work out for your heart and will help improve circulation.
2. Suffering from Insomnia?
Improve your ability to sleep and ensure your night is restfulness by taking a soak before bed time. Relaxation is one of the main aims and subsequent outcomes of taking time out to bathe. Hot water relaxes the body, it de-tenses muscles and mentally encourages us to wind down.
Many people suffering from the inability to sleep or insomnia find it difficult to switch of, bathing encourages us to enjoy a little ‘me time’ without a care in the world which is why attaining that peace of mind at the end of each day is key to a restful sleep.
3. Wanting to lose weight?
Stay in shape and lose weight by indulging in a soak. Bathing can reduce sugar levels according to a study which looked at people suffering from diabetes. The study indicated that people who suffer from diabetes and soak in a hot bath on a regular basis are able to reduce their levels of sugar and glucose in the blood.
The study found that soaking in a hot bath for about 20-30 minutes, 6 days a week, made participants lose almost 2.5 lbs a month as compared to the control group. We’re assuming this theory could be applied across the board to help people with high sugar diets reduce cravings and as such lose weight.
4. Improve numerous skin conditions.
Bathing can help improve a number of skin conditions including acne, psoriasis and eczema as it cleanses and re-hydrates the skin. Bathing in warm water opens the pore’s, removes toxins and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and soft. Unfortunately bathing will never cure such conditions however taking the time to re-hydrate the skin in such a manner, followed by moisturizing, will help calm any reactions or sudden inflammations and flare ups.
5. Overcome depression
The ever present pressures of life can sometimes get too much. It’s been said many a time that depression is not a weakness, it’s an indication that you’ve been trying too hard for too long. Life is stressful and at some point we will all need a shoulder to cry on.
Studies indicate that in order to help alleviate these pressures before they get to much it is essential we take time out to look after ourselves and enjoy a bit of ‘me time’. One way to do so is to bathe; to relax, unwind and allow for inner peace to consume you.
It is fact, not fiction, that when we feel better physically, we are more confident within ourselves and more readily equipped mentally to confront the daily challenges ahead.
6. Relieve common headaches
Commons headaches include tension, cluster, sinus, rebound and migraines – all painful and extremely unpleasant. Although taking a warm bath with a banging head may sound like the worst thing to do it can actually be used to relieve the worst of such conditions.
Most headaches, including all of the one’s mentioned above, are caused by the narrowing of blood vessels in the head. Taking time to bathe while experiencing such symptoms can alleviate such pressures due to the positive effects warm / hot water has on the body’s ability to circulate blood around the body, widening vessels and helping to cure the worst of headaches.
7. Reduce a high blood pressure
Numerous studies indicate that bathing is an excellent reliever of stress. It’s one of the most natural forms of relaxation and for that reason can be used to lower or reduce a high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can be the result of a number of different factors and conditions with the exact cause still remaining unknown to health experts. That said there are a number of factors that have already been highlighted in this article that bathing can help overcome that people associate with a high blood pressure. These include being overweight, stress and sleep apnea. Now were not saying bathing will cure a high blood pressure but we are confident in saying it will help to lower it.
8. Cure the common cold and flu symptoms
The steam accumulating from a hot bath will dry out the mucus accumulating in our throat, nose and sinuses, clearing the pathways and making it easier to breath. In addition, a hot bath can also alleviate symptoms of the flu by relaxing your achy muscles and relieving you from similar symptoms.
Not only can bathing help cure the common cold taking a regular dip in cooler water can also boost the immune system, decreasing your chances of falling ill again. This cold shock stimulates the vascular and lymph system to produce more number of immune cells that fight infections.
MoreAbility*, part of the Passmore Group, is Yorkshires leading and most experienced bath & shower room specialist for all types of stylish, safe & practical and bespoke solutions. Offering a fully project managed design & installation service we pride ourselves on meeting individual wants, needs and aspirational requirements.
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