Hot Water Bath Vs Cold Water Bath – Which One Is Better According To Ayurveda?

Are you stuck between choosing hot water and cold water for bathing? The hot water bath vs. cold water bath debate has been on for a long time now. While each has its benefits to offer, what one must opt for depends on various factors like age, current season, habits, history of the disease, etc. Continue reading to understand the benefits both hot and cold water baths can offer.

Cold Shower Vs Hot Shower

There is a huge impact of water temperature on skin health. There is a link between your shower water temperature and blood circulation along with other body functions. Let us have a look at the benefits of hot and cold water showers here:

Benefits Of A Cold Water Bath

1. A cold water bath tends to stimulate the nerve endings and gives you a kick start in the morning (1). It also helps in getting rid of the laziness.
2. Cold water baths increase the release of depression-beating chemicals such as beta-endorphinsⁱ  Protein hormones released by the pituitary gland that relieve pain when you are under physical or mental stress. and thus help you alleviate depression(2).
3. Studies have shown that a cold water bath improves reproductive health in men by stimulating the release of testosterone.
4. It may also help in improving lung function.
5. It is best to opt for a cold water bath for improving circulation in the body.
6. Cold water baths stimulate the lymphaticⁱ  An organ, tissue, and vessel network that transports lymph, a colorless, watery fluid, into the bloodstream. and immune systems of the body, So it is best to prefer cold water baths for immune system boosting as it enhances the production of cells that fight against infections (3).

Siri Schubert, a blogger, started swimming in ice-cold lake water during the pandemic and shared her experience on her blog: “First, upon entering [the lake water], the burning sensation on my skin, then the rush that takes my breath away and then: the calm. A feeling so profound that it erases all stresses and makes me feel like I am floating in space (i).”

A study was conducted on 3018 healthy participants without any prior cold bathing experience were subjected to hot to cold water showers for 30, 60, and 90 for 30 days followed by cold showers for 60 days. The study showed that 79% of the participants reduced their lack of sickness by 29% compared to those taking normal hot showers.

Did You Know?

Regular winter swimming may help improve memory, enhance physical health and mood, and relieve asthma (1).

Benefits Of A Hot Water Bath

1. As we all know, warmer temperatures tend to kill more germs so it’s best to go for a hot water bath for detoxification.

2. Studies show that a hot water bath improves the flexibility of muscles and also helps relax sore muscles (4). It acts as hot water therapy for muscle relaxation.

3. A hot water bath reduces the sugar levels in the body, making your body less prone to hyperglycemiaⁱ  High blood sugar that may occur due to low insulin levels, high carbohydrate meals, or intake of certain medications. .

4. It is also beneficial to treat a cough and cold as the steam helps to clear the airways and decongest your throat and nose (5).

How To Choose Between Cold And Hot Water Baths – As Per Ayurveda

Is it better to shower with cold or hot water? Ayurveda has got an answer for you. Ayurveda suggests that you must use hot water for the body and cold water for the head since washing your eyes and hair with hot water is not good for your health. There can be severe negative effects of hot water on hair and health. Ayurveda suggests that the temperature of the water must be based on the following factors:

1. Based On Age

Youngsters should opt for cold water showers for skin health improvement. For old people, it is suggested to bathe with hot water. But if you’re a student and dedicated to spending more time on studies, bathing with cold water will be beneficial for you.

2. Based On The Body Type

If your body type is Pitta, it is better that you use cold water to take a bath, and if your body type is Kapha or Vata, use hot water.

3. Based On Diseases

If you’re suffering from any Pitta-related disease, such as indigestion or liver disorders,

a cold water bath for rejuvenation will be very beneficial for your health. And if you’re suffering from Kapha or Vata-related disorders, then a hot water bath is preferred.

If you’re an epilepsyⁱ  A central nervous system disorder caused by variations in brain activity that cause convulsions, unconsciousness, or strange behavior. patient, both hot water and cold water bath are not recommended. Instead, take a bath with lukewarm water.

4. Based On Your Habits

If you work out regularly, a hot water bath is suggested.

5. Based On What Time You Bathe

If you bathe in the morning, it is good to bathe with cold water. But if you’re bathing at night, take a hot water bath for relaxation. Since evening time is dominated by Vata, bathing with hot water will be beneficial. It is recommended that you opt for a hot water bath for better sleep.

How To Bathe According To Ayurveda

Quick Tip

Add a few drops of lavender or any essential oil (diluted with a carrier oil) to your bath water for aromatherapy benefits and to relax your mind.

You should follow the process slowly so that every part of your body is exposed properly to water. Here’s how you should bathe:

1. Start off by washing your hands and feet.

2. If you’re bathing with cold water, your approach should be from the head to the toe.

3. And if you’re bathing with hot water, start by washing your toes first and then move upwards to the head.

4. When it comes to soap, avoid chemically-loaded soaps available on the market as the skin absorbs all the chemicals from the soaps.

5. Indulging in a good oil massage with mustard oil or sesame oil before a bath is said to be beneficial for your body. It revitalizes the muscles and improves the texture of the skin.

6. Though you must not rush while bathing, doing it for too long is also not suggested. Also, for better hygiene, bathing twice a day is enough.

7. You can add a few neem leaves to the water and leave them for some time. Then, take a bath in this water. It will improve the health of your skin.

A shower after an intense workout session is essential. But should you go for a hot shower or a cold one? Find out in the next section.

Should You Take A Hot Or Cold Shower After A Workout?

Taking a hot water shower after a workout may be more beneficial as it does not affect your training gains and may even boost your strength and performance. This is particularly helpful for sports such as climbing, wrestling, or karate (6). A cold shower, on the other hand, may not aid in post-exercise recovery, but there are other cold shower benefits, which also include improving heart health by reducing cardiac stress (7). It is important to note that research is limited in this regard.

Hence, you can choose a hot or a cold shower based on your preference.

Infographic: Common Bath Mistakes You Should Avoid According To Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, your age, the season, any health conditions, and the time of day play an essential role when deciding between hot and cold baths. However, you should avoid some common mistakes to prevent certain diseases and body pains. Check out the infographic to learn more and follow a healthy bathing routine.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cold showers burn fat?

Cold water may increase metabolic rate and aid in burning calories which may result in weight loss (8).

Does hot water damage skin?

Yes, hot water may damage skin barrier function and cause skin dryness so it’s best to avoid hot water shower for skin’s natural glow retention (9).

How long should you take a hot bath for?

You should ideally take a hot bath for 15 to 30 minutes.

Illustration: Hot Water Bath Vs Cold Water Bath – Which One Is Better According To Ayurveda?

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Uncover the unexpected side effects of bathing in hot water in this eye-opening video. Explore valuable health tips and gain a deeper understanding of how you can prevent these harmful effects and protect your health.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. JayaprakashBAMS, MD

   

Dr. Jayaprakash is an Ayurvedic doctor with 25 years of experience and heads Dharma Ayurveda. His family has been into traditional Ayurvedic healing for over nine generations. He helps his clients adopt the traditional concepts of Ayurveda in their modern lifestyles with great ease and effectiveness.

Read full bio of Dr. Jayaprakash

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Himanshi MahajanHealth & Wellness Writer

Himanshi Mahajan is a Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences from Guru Nanak Dev University and two years of experience in writing SEO-based and research-backed content across health and lifestyle genres.

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