Shower in the morning or in the evening? Experts have been researching what is right. Their findings are unlikely to please anyone
Morning or evening - that's the question
Although it is of course possible to shower at any time, scientists say that people predominantly choose to shower either in the morning or in the evening. Certain advantages can be attributed to both. While the undeniable advantage of a morning shower is that it wakes you up and "gets you started" (as well as the fact that you can effectively wash away any night sweat or dead skin cells in the morning), an evening shower can prepare the body for the upcoming sleep. In addition, it is a better option for people with skin conditions or allergies. But is it even possible to claim that one or the other practice is more beneficial for health?
The debate about when we should shower "properly" has been raging among people for years. It is not surprising that there have even been scientific studies on the subject, but these have tended to focus on the "shower preferences" of the respondents. The author of one of them, dermatologist Alok Vij, concluded that although there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which time of day is best for showering, it is possible to base the ideal time on each individual's needs. "There is no definitive answer for the global population on whether to shower in the evening or in the morning - but there is an ideal time for every person," he explained.
Morning vs. evening, or water temperature matters
Generally speaking, the main benefits of a morning shower include the aforementioned refreshing wake-up. In the words of doctor Loretta Ciraldo, all those who generally have difficulty getting up and feel like "hit by a hammer" after leaving bed should take a shower in the morning. However, in this case, the temperature of the water also plays a role. In order for a shower to really wake a person up, it should definitely not be "comfortable" in terms of temperature, quite the opposite. To really wake up, the water should be cold. Even if it doesn't sound comfortable (well, it's not really comfortable either), the truth is that according to some research, a cold morning shower even increases daily productivity. And according to neurologist and sleep medicine expert Christopher Winter, a morning shower - if indulged in regularly every day - can also provide some incentive for the body to wake up. "If a person showers at the same time every morning, it can serve as a circadian marker for feeling more alert," he summarized.
Zdroj: Giphy
And while a cold shower in the morning, which literally wakes a person up to exercise, is desirable, it would be counterproductive in the evening. In fact, it is the evening shower that is supposed to have the exact opposite purpose, to calm the body (and mind) before bed. Therefore, the water should be pleasant and warm. Research confirms this too. According to them, a warm shower or even a bath an hour before bedtime surprisingly lowers body temperature and promotes sleep. The connection between evening bathing and sleep cycles is also emphasised by the Society of Paediatric Dermatology, which states in its recommendations that parents should bathe their children in the evening from an early age in order to help them establish a normal sleep cycle.
The age-old question remains... BUT
So can any satisfactory conclusion be reached regarding the clear preference (and associated benefits) of morning or evening showers? "There is no scientific literature that says you have to shower in the morning or in the evening," summarizes another expert, Thomas Russo.
But while the time we shower may depend on a number of different factors (from work schedules to impact events to sporting activities) and someone may ultimately choose to shower in the morning or in the evening, given a clear choice, it's fair to say that evening showering may be considered the "better" option after all. This way, all the bacteria and sweat from the day can be washed off and the body can be relaxed and prepared for rest.
Although the experts have not reached a clear conclusion on whether to shower in the morning or in the evening, they are clear on one thing: it makes no sense to combine the two. And according to dermatologists, washing too often (especially with soaps and shower gels) can even be harmful. "Showering too often can leave skin and hair dry and shineless," warns dermatologist Cindy Wassef. If you must shower more than once a day (e.g., because of sweating, etc.), you should opt for moisturizers or oils instead of soap.
