Here are 5 health benefits of taking hot showers that will make you happy

There are times when we toss and turn in our beds at night, unable to journey into the land of dreams. Heading to the washroom for a hot shower could be a quick way to get some respite.

Wondering how? Hot showers activate the parasympathetic nervous system thus helping us relax. Not only sleep, but a hot shower also provides relief from respiratory issues and reduces blemishes.

A collaborative study by the Japan Health and Research Institute, Tokyo City University and Jichi Medical University revealed that water temperature has considerable physiological effects on the human body.

Here are five benefits of a hot shower :

1. It lowers blood sugar
   The research found that a hot shower helps lower blood sugar and burn calories. Scientists recruited 14 men for the study and measured their blood sugar for 24 hours after each hot shower. They found that the men burned as many calories as a 30-minute walk and had lowered blood sugar levels.

2. It offers relief from respiratory symptoms
Scientists have proven that standing in a hot shower with steam helps open airways, loosen phlegm in the respiratory system and clears out nasal passages.

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3. It can give you cleaner, healthier skin
A good hot shower can open up the pores of the skin and wash out some of the dirt and toxins from it.

This can result in fresher and cleaner skin.

4. It also moisturizes the skin
Standing under a hot shower for long can cause wrinkles to the skin. However, experts are of the opinion that it can actually have a good epidermal effect.

The warm water leaves the skin moist for a longer time and prevents it from drying up and getting cracked.

Also, Read: Dry versus dehydrated skin: How to know the difference and give your skin what it really needs

5. It can help you sleep
Hot water increases the body temperature and relaxes the muscles in the body. This soothes us physically and mentally.

Studies have shown that the body’s core temperature is two to three degrees higher in the late afternoon and early evening.

A warm shower stimulates the thermoregulatory system, causing blood circulation to take place from the body’s core to the hands and feet, removing heat and allowing the temperature to go down. It’s time to get that soothing good night’s sleep.

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According to research by the University of Texas, a hot shower can improve total sleep time, sleep quality and sleep efficiency.

Also, Read: Can’t sleep? These 6 podcasts, tools, and YouTube videos can help you doze off