Is taking a cold shower at night good for your health?

I come home late from work so I have a habit of taking cold showers at night, it feels very refreshing. Does this habit affect my health? (Nhan, 30 years old, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

Bathing at night, especially with cold water, can have some negative effects on the body. The temperature difference between the body and cold water causes the body to lose heat, and people with weak immune systems are susceptible to colds.

Sudden changes in temperature affect the dilation of blood vessels, change blood pressure, affect blood circulation, and increase the risk of stroke.

Changes in blood pressure and heart rate that occur with exposure to cold water are not good for people with pre-existing heart disease and high blood pressure.

In addition, bathing with cold water late at night can also cause difficulty sleeping.

Therefore, to protect your health, you should not bathe late at night, especially after 11pm and with cold water. Instead, you should bathe in the morning, combined with exercise, to help your body feel refreshed and start a new day. Or, you bathe in the afternoon to relax your body and regain energy after a day of work.

Dr. Cao Dang Khang
Head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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