Almost everyone uses them in the morningpleasant freshness of a showerto start the day well and get your body and mind going. Everyone now knows that a cold shower or alternating showers are good for your health because they strengthen the immune system by getting the circulation going. And what about warm showers? Well, this in turn is beneficial during the evening hours because it lowers your blood pressure, so you can rest better and get tired after the work day. The only question that remains is what is best when you have a cold... Is it better to take a cold or warm shower when you have a cold? Or should you skip showering altogether and rely on the good old bath? And does a cold shower gel actually help? We're answering these questions today.
Taking a cold shower when you have a cold to strengthen your immune system?
If you think you can do something good for your body with a cold shower when you have a cold, this is usually the casestrengthens the immune system, is wrong. This also applies if you have a fever and even more so. At this point it is simply too late. If you are sick, it means that you already have a weakened immune system. The immune system is currently working at full speed and showering, which is characterized by constant temperature changes, puts additional stress on the body and the immune system. Researchers have also already found evidence that cold makes it more difficult for the immune system to fight viruses. Since cortisone is released during stress, the immune system is inhibited. Taking a cold shower when you have a cold is not a good idea.
Does a warm shower help with a cold?
According to British professor Ron Eccles, you can quickly get rid of a cold if, among other things, you start the day with a hot shower rather than a cold one. As is well known, this creates fumes that help to ignite the fireMucous membranes in the noseand to calm the other respiratory tract and thus release mucus from the nose. So they help you get rid of a cold quickly.
Shower or bathe when you have a cold?
As long as the fever isn't too high, it's actually a good thing. It helps the body fight pathogens. So when you feel sick and take a warm shower or bath, you create a kind of artificial fever to help your body fight it off. However, caution is advised if you actually already have a fever. Then you should above all listen to your body, because everyone reacts differentlycold or fluhas a different impact on well-being.
In general, a bath is probably the better option because you can lie there and relax better. Also oneFoot bath is very effective. If you feel weak and under the weather, which is often the case especially when you have a fever, taking a hot bath or shower can lead to circulatory problems. If you want to get healthy quickly, you shouldn't put any strain on your body. If you have a fever, the following applies:
- Do not bathe for longer than 20 to 25 minutes.
- Choose a comfortable temperature. Ideally this is no higher than 37 degrees.
- Avoid taking a full bath. It is better if your arms, shoulders and knees are not under water.
As soon as you feel physically fitter, you can shower again if you have a cold. So whether bathing or showering is good or bad when you have a cold depends largely on your physical condition. Listen to your body so you can avoid the flu orFight cold quickly!
Special shower gel for cold showers
You can fight the cold faster if you use a so-called cold shower gel in addition to the tips mentioned above. These includedessential oils, which are designed to help you feel better - just like a cold bath. Such oils include eucalyptus oil, camphor and mint oil. It also has a nourishing effect on the skin and protects it from drying out with moisturizing substances and a neutral pH value. Dry skin is not uncommon in the colder seasons because when it gets colder, the skin produces less sebum.
So if you shower when you have a cold, you can do something good for your body with products like these. Make sure to use a product that is free of silicones, paraffins and microplastics, which could put additional strain on your body. Such products include these from Tetesept. The only disadvantage is that a cold shower gel cannot last as long as a cold bath. However, not everyone has access to a bathtub, making cold shower gel the perfect alternative for people who can only shower.
