Do you jump in the shower the second you wake up or do you prefer to wash the day away before bed? It’s a simple question that divides all. And what does science say about which choice is better for your health?You might think your choice doesn’t matter much, but let’s look at what the experts say.
The Case for a Morning Shower
For many of us, the first thing do with blurry eyes is hop into a hot shower. Fans of a morning shower say that standing under the warm water for 10 minutes helps them wake up, feel refreshed, and get ready to start the day. It’s a great way to wash off any sweat from the night and feel clean before heading out.
Why a Night time Shower Makes Sense
On the other hand, people who shower at night believe it’s the best way to wash off all the dirt and grime from the day before getting into a clean bed. And they’ve got a point.Throughout the day, our skin collects all sorts of things: dirt, sweat, oils, pollution, dust and pollen. If you don’t shower before bed all that gunk gets transferred onto your sheets and pillowcases.And it’s not just dirt. Your skin is covered in microbes tiny bacteria that feed on the oils in your sweat. While sweat itself doesn’t smell, the bacteria on your skin produce smelly compounds. So at first glance showering at night seems like the better choice for staying clean.
The Surprising Truth from Science
But as always, the real answer is a little more complicated.According to microbiologist Primrose Freestone from the University of Leicester, even if you shower at night and go to bed clean you’ll still sweat while you sleep.Even in cold weather a person can sweat enough in bed for their skin to collect 50,000 or more cells says Freestone. This creates a sweaty environment on your body that the bacteria on your skin will feed on creating a slight odor. So you’ll still have a bit of a smell when you wake up in the morning, even after a nighttime shower.The benefits of a nighttime shower only really work if you wash your bed sheets regularly. Bacteria can live on your blankets, sheets, and pillows for weeks. Dust mites and fungus can also build up over time especially in damp places like your pillows.While a healthy immune system can handle this, continuous exposure to dust mites can increase your risk of allergies. A senior lecturer at the University of Hull, Holly Wilkinson says It’s more important to wash your bed sheets regularly than to shower at night. If you shower and then get into sheets that haven’t been washed in a month you’re still getting into a bed full of bacteria dirt and dust mites.
Does a Shower Help You Sleep
Some people who shower at night say it helps them sleep better and there’s some evidence to support this. One study found that taking a 10-minute warm shower one or two hours before bed helps people fall asleep faster.It’s believed that raising your body temperature and then letting it cool back down sends a signal to your body to get ready for sleep. However, more research is needed to be sure.So what’s the final answer to the great morning or night shower debate?Freestone prefers a morning shower because it washes away the sweat and germs that collect on you during the night. But in the end it might not make a huge difference to your overall health. It’s more about whether you prefer to feel fresh and clean for the day ahead or for the night.Wilkinson says If you’re only showering once a day it probably doesn’t matter what time you do it. In fact, washing the key parts of your body every day and taking a full shower or bath a couple of times a week is enough to stay clean and healthy.Ultimately, your choice might depend on your job. If you’re a farmer, you’ll probably want to shower at the end of the day. But for most people, keeping your bed sheets clean is probably more important for your overall health.