“Existentialism means that no one else can take a bath for you.” – Delmore Schwartz
If you’re pretty dirty, and your hair’s quite oily, then, yes, it’s time to get in that tub and start scrubbing. But there’s really only one intrinsic reason for taking a bath or a shower, and it has nothing to do with how you look, but how you feel.
Interestingly enough, the temperature you choose happens to be one of the biggest factors in how beneficial your next round of bathing will be. Taking either a warm bath or cold shower does enormous advantages for your mental health. Here are three ways why.
Of course, not many of us would turn down a warm bath. Thankfully, Yale University has a study to prove just how great a Jacuzzi tub can actually be. Remarkably, it may just be all in your head.
Physical warmth does wonders for the mind, specifically when it comes from another human being. Hugs, kisses, holding hands: these all promote wellbeing and a wholesome heart. So, when you imitate that via a warm bath, the instant benefit’s clear—you’ll actually feel less alone.
And as your stress decreases, your sleep will likely improve, too. You may even be able to prevent migraines with a hot bath!
It’s surprising that oftentimes when we think of a cold shower, it’s to take one after doing something healthy for your body, such as exercise or sex. That’s all fine and dandy, but there’s an additional benefit to jumping into the icy chill: alleviation of depression. There’s a science to it as well.
Medically, that cold chill you experience can, according to recent studies, release a chemical within your brain specifically designed to battle depression: it’s called noradrenaline. That exact chemical essentially “shocks” your body enough to snap you out of depression.
Literally. Remember those ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos? That feeling of getting ice water dumped on you will quickly trigger mental alertness. This is due to you breathing in deeper, which improves blood flow to your brain.
It’s that exact jolt, like electricity, that supercharges your brain cells and allows you to meditate in a certain way (of course, we think you stand a better chance of actually “meditating” in a warm bath).
Ingesting it is essential, of course, but you’ll want to get some water on you, too. The great bonus is you get the big trifecta: mental, physical, and emotional benefits. No wonder why we drill our kids on bathing every day!
Pierre Roustan is an author, adventurer, father, philosopher, philanthropist, athlete, gamer, U.S. chess champion, health nut, activist, and advocate for humanity, living in a quiet home with his wife, four daughters and one son in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s trekked through tundras, waded through swamps, wandered through deserts, swam in the Great Barrier Reef, explored a shipwreck, walked a runway, sat in prison, been in a mental hospital, adored and hated others, lost and gained a lot, fought wars in a courtroom, lost wars in his heart, and held loved ones in his arms as they breathed their last breath. He’s braved storms of all kinds and has plenty more life to live—and he’s ready to write all about it.
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