Baths vs. Showers

I haven't taken a bath for years!

That's not to say I stink, I just can't stand taking a bath, so I take showers instead.

Showers can be so many things that baths can't - invigorating, refreshing, deep-cleansing, quick - and I would pick a shower over a bath any day of the week.

It might just be me, but I like to feel sparkly clean after a wash, not clammy and pruned up.

I tend to see taking a bath as pickling yourself in your own juices.

I mean, you lie there in the water you're cleaning yourself with as it slowly gets colder and more full of filth, you awkwardly wash your hair in the dirty water, then you get out and drain it to find a lovely tidemark on the side of the bath - mmm, squeaky clean.

I'm not the only one who thinks showers are better, in fact, there has been a lot of research into the benefits of taking a shower. Mostly this research is based on cold showers as the only benefit of hot showers seems to be the steam and you could get that with a bath also.

Cold showers have been used for health purposes for a long time and have been attributed with all kinds of miraculous claims including:

Anxiety and Depression Relief
Improved Skin Tone and Elasticity
Increased Energy Levels
Acne Cure
Hair Loss Prevention
Improved Immunity (especially to colds and flu)
Lowers Blood Sugar
Appetite Suppressant









The list goes on, but you can see that cold showers can be extremely beneficial to your health and general wellbeing. If you're in doubt, why not try ending your usual shower with a one minute blast of cold water, then extend that time each time you shower after that?

Although I may be a "Shower Person", I realise that there may be benefits to taking a bath.

After doing some thorough research I've found that the main benefits of taking baths are related to the warmth and relaxation that is provided. Hot baths can:

Relieve Muscle Aches and Pain
Relieve Stress
Open Pores to Allow Deep Cleaning
Encourage Lymph System Drainage
Reduce Water Retention
Relieve Sinus Pressure








In my eyes, however, these benefits still don't make taking a bath appeal to me.

I can become relaxed and less stressed simply by curling up on the sofa with a good book for an hour or so and I don't get pruny. I can also steam my face over a bowl of warm water to open pores and sinuses without getting snotty in the bath (eww).

The only benefits I can see that you would actually need a bath for would be relieving joint and muscle aches and even then you could opt for massage as an alternative!