There are two types of people in this world: those who shower at night and those who shower in the morning. Both confidently have their reasons on why they do so, but which is actually better for you? A recent review in The New York Times highlights exactly which timing strategy is best for your sleep, skin, schedule, stress and most importantly … hygiene. Have you been showering wrong your whole life? Keep reading to find out whether a morning or night shower is the best for your health.
Should You Shower In The Morning or Night? An Expert Reveals
The Morning Shower
We all know that one person who hops in the shower minutes after their alarm goes off. All of a sudden, they’re in the bathroom, water running — all before they’ve even woken up properly. But hey, judge all you want, because science says they might actually be onto something. According to the Times, morning showers can boost your cognitive health and will let you wake up faster and more efficiently because they not only force your body to move first thing in the a.m., but if at the right temperature, can further improve your concentration.
Dr. Janet K. Kennedy, a New York-based sleep expert and clinical psychologist tells the Times that if you take a cool shower — not cold — it can assist in raising your body temperature slightly which will help you feel refreshed for the day. Plus, showering in the morning also means you start your day off, obviously, clean. “Humans tend to perspire at night,” Dr. Gary Goldenberg, a NYC-based dermatologist tells the Times. When you wake up in the morning, there’s all this sweat and bacteria from the sheets that’s just kind of sitting there on your skin.” Since you’ve gotten under the sheets after a possibly sweaty day — or got hot and sweaty under the sheets with your bed partner — a morning rinse is sure to do the body good.
The Night Shower
If you’d prefer to shower at night, the 90-minute window before bedtime is the best time to do it — especially for those who struggle with insomnia, Kennedy says. “The body naturally cools down as bedtime approaches, in sync with the circadian rhythm,” she tells the Times. “Showering artificially raises the temperature again and allows for a faster cool down, which seems to hasten sleep.” Showering at night can also help ease muscle tension and relieve minor pains, which will make for a better night’s sleep.
If you’re a post-work workout warrior, opting to shower before bed, and not getting under the covers already sweaty with the day’s work, is likely your best option, the review points out. Catch yourself daydreaming in the shower? You might want to think how long you spend standing under the hot running water. According to dermatologists, the hot water is not the best for your skin, as it eliminates the natural oils and irritates the system, and are especially not useful for people who have eczema or other skin conditions. Dr. Goldenberg says that for most people, there’s nothing really wrong with showering in the morning or at night, however there is an issue of cleanliness that does come into play.
Which Should You Choose?
As the Times report reveals, there is no complete ideal time. Either morning or night showers have their benefits, but it all depends on your own daily schedule. If you work outside or workout after work, night showers might be best. But if you prefer to wake up via shower, keeping it cool is definitely the way to go. And, it you want to slip into super clean bed sheets, looks like you’re going to have to shower both morning and night!
