Each Has Its Own Benefits...
Showering Once a Day Is Enough
"What Matters Most Is Not the Shower, but Maintaining Clean Bedding"
A recent study has drawn attention by revealing that morning showers to start the day and evening showers to end it each offer distinct benefits. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently compiled and reported expert opinions analyzing the scientific differences between morning and evening showers.
Morning Showers: Washing Away Sweat and Odors Accumulated Overnight
Dr. Primrose Freestone of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom recommends morning showers, stating that they help start the day feeling more refreshed. She explained, "Even if you go to bed clean at night, you can sweat up to 280 ml and shed over 50,000 skin cells while sleeping. As a result, you end up with sweat and dead skin odors again by morning."
In fact, up to one million bacteria can inhabit every square centimeter of human skin. These bacteria feed on sebum and waste products, and this process produces body odor. Dr. Freestone noted, "A morning shower removes the sweat and bacteria accumulated overnight, reducing odor and serving as a mental transition to start the day."
Morning showers also have an awakening effect. Research has shown that showering with cold or lukewarm water activates the sympathetic nervous system, improving concentration and mood. Especially before work or after exercise, a shower can boost metabolism and help 'kick-start' the body.
Evening Showers: Effective for Removing Impurities and Promoting Quality Sleep
Evening showers are effective for washing away dust and pollutants accumulated throughout the day. Dr. Giuseppe Aragona of the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK warned, "If you go to bed without removing allergens and fine dust from your body and hair, you can contaminate your bedding, which may lead to skin problems or trigger allergies."
Additionally, evening showers can help improve sleep quality. According to a review of 13 studies compiled by the BBC, taking a warm shower for about 10 minutes one to two hours before bedtime temporarily raises body temperature, and as it drops afterward, the body recognizes it is time to sleep. This process promotes the secretion of melatonin, leading to faster and deeper sleep.
Even more so, people with allergies or atopic dermatitis can benefit from evening showers by removing pollen or dust from their skin, reducing irritation and relieving itching.
More Important Than Morning or Evening: Consistent Hygiene
Dr. Holly Wilkinson, a microbiologist at the University of Hull in the UK, stated, "There is no significant difference to your health whether you shower once a day in the morning or evening. What matters more than the timing is how consistently you wash your body."
She recommended choosing shower times based on one's lifestyle. "If your job exposes you to dirt and dust all day, evening showers might be more reasonable. For office workers or those who spend most of their time indoors, a morning shower may make more sense," she explained.
Additionally, Dr. Wilkinson emphasized, "Ultimately, what matters is not just showering, but also maintaining clean bedding." She added, "Even if you go to bed spotless, if you do not wash your sheets for a month, bacteria, dust, and mites will accumulate. Regular laundry is key to maintaining cleanliness."
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