There are many lifestyle choices that have a direct impact on our health, such as smoking, exercise and diet. Could your bathing routine also be added to that list? We know sporadic research that has been done suggests that regular exposure to cold water (via showers, baths or swims) may have some incredible health benefits. Immersion of the body in water (immersion bathing), rather than showering, causes greater dilation of blood vessels. Subsequently, there is improved replenishment of oxygen and nutrients to peripheral areas, together with better removal of carbon dioxide and other waste products, which refreshes the body.
In Japan, full-immersion bathing is a more common habit than in other countries, where showering prevails. A research group in Japan (Goto et al.) investigates the effects of immersion bathing against that of showering. The team's previous studies recruited a cross-section of the Japanese population that immersion bathed daily -- and the participants reported improved happiness, sleep and general health status, and reduced stress levels too. However, in their latest study, Goto et al. conducted a clinical trial that compared the effects of immersion bathing versus showering over a period of time.
Research
The team conducted a randomised controlled trial involving 38 participants that were equally split into two groups. One group exclusively had 10-minute immersion baths once daily for two weeks, followed by two weeks of exclusive showering, and vice-versa for the other group. Participants would then report daily on several aspects of their mental and physical health before and after either the bathing or showering routine.
Results
Firstly, the participants self-reported on the following aspects before and after taking either a shower or bath: general health, skin condition, fatigue, stress, pain and 'smile in the mirror'. Unsurprisingly, the averaged results demonstrated statistically significant improvements reported for all aspects after having either a shower or a bath. The amount of improvement for bathing was greater than for showering for all reported items, however the investigators did not determine if the differences were statistically significant. Instead, Goto et al. asked the participants to retrospectively self-report on all the items after each two-week period of either bathing or showering. After bathing intervention, scores for fatigue, stress and pain were significantly lower, and 'smile' scored significantly higher, when compared to showering. General health, and skin condition also improved after bathing, but not to a statistically significant level.
The team also investigated the difference in mood states after 2 weeks of showering or bathing. They used Profile of Mood States (POMS) scores to determine this -- POMS is used worldwide, and measures tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, anger-hostility, fatigue, confusion, and vigour. Following the bathing intervention, POMS scores for tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and anger-hostility were significantly lower compared to the showering intervention.
Conclusions
This study advances the theoretical knowledge of the benefits of bathing over showering by reporting self-assessment findings from an interventional clinical trial. The decreased fatigue and improved general health scores observed from bathing intervention could be due to improved metabolic action from bathing. Also, the relaxing effect of bathing on muscles and joints may contribute to the decreased pain scores reported in this study. Therefore, the results from this investigation are beneficial -- however, it is always important to address this study's limitations:
- The sample size is small -- only 38 participants (with 5 withdrawals)
- The trial was conducted in autumn, and so did not take seasonal differences into account
- The timing of either the bathing or showering routine could not be strictly regulated
- Generally, the Japanese population like immersion bathing more than other nations, and so these findings could be different if the study was conducted in Europe for example
Reader Comments
Anyhow rocky, shower after you bathe, wash all that dirt off. Don't shower if you want to shave your legs (I doubt you do, but just to be cautious, you might ) You need a bath for that, open up those pores. And rinse your hair with cold water to keep it glossy an' stuff.
Baths take more time...people disconnect. A shower reminds you that you have no time AND your duty to save the planet is fulfilled. People feel better after bathing...really, ya don't say!