A simple lifestyle practice has been shown to help reduce stress, fatigue, pain, tension-anxiety, anger-hostility and depression-dejection, all from the comfort of a warm bath.
A recent randomised, controlled, cross-over study from Japan has found that the benefits of a hot bath for just 10 minutes a day improves both physical and emotional aspects of quality of life.[1]
Thirty-eight healthy adults were recruited for the intervention to investigate the benefits of bathing in warm water (40°C) for 10 minutes versus showering. Subjects were randomised to either bathing for two weeks followed by immediately showering for two weeks or vice versa without washout.[1]
Results showed greater improvements in measured aspects in the bathing group versus the showering group. Visual analogue scale scores and self-reporting measures reported significantly better general, mental and emotional health with improved social[1] functioning outcomes.
This follows on from a previous cross-sectional study that found people who had a habit of bathing in hot water had good subjective health status, sufficient sleep and rest, low levels of stress and high subjective happiness.[2,3] The results of both these studies support the causal relationship of the psychological benefits from bathing.
References
- Goto Y, Hayasaka S, Kurihara S, et al. Physical and mental effects of bathing: a randomized intervention study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2018;2018:9521086.
- Goto Y, Hayasaka S, Nakamura Y. Bathing in hot water, bathing in Japanese style of hot spring and drinking green tea may contribute to the good health status of Japanese. J Japan Soc Balneol, Climatol Phys Med 2012;75:256-266.
- Goto Y, Hayasaka S, Nakamura Y. Health effects of seasonal bathing in hot water, seasonal utilization of hot spring facilities, and high greem tea consumption. J Japan Soc Balneol, Climatol Phys Med 2014;77:171-182.
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