After exercising, the body naturally sweats and dirt accumulates on the skin. Taking a shower after exercising is definitely an enticing activity. Showering after a workout is the right choice because the body becomes sweaty and uncomfortable. Just imagine the refreshing feeling of showering under a stream of cold or warm water, combined with soap that can cleanse our skin. Which is more appropriate, taking a shower with cold or warm water?

Taking a shower with warm water and cold water after exercising is not a problem because both have their own benefits and roles. Cold water can help strengthen muscles and joints, while warm water can relieve stiffness after exercising. Therefore, it is better to alternate between warm and cold water showers. This method is called a recovery shower, which involves showering with alternating temperatures from hot to cold. Is this an effective way to stimulate circulation and aid muscle recovery?

After feeling tired and sweaty from exercising, it is recommended to start with a cold water shower. This helps strengthen muscles and joints by reducing inflammation caused by exercise fatigue. Showering with cold water is also effective in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and boosting the immune system. For those who exercise to lose weight, taking a cold water shower can be beneficial as it has the potential to aid weight loss. Brown fat, which produces heat by burning fat, is activated when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, such as showering with cold water.

Then, switch to hot water. This will enhance muscle and joint recovery by eliminating accumulated inflammatory cells, dead cells, scar tissue build-up, and improving bone health. Switching from cold to hot also helps reduce potential stiffness from exercising. You have probably experienced how the body becomes stiff and difficult to move due to exercise fatigue. Taking a warm water shower after exercising can provide benefits such as increased hormone production, muscle and joint relaxation, and stress reduction. A warm water shower can also open up the skin pores and release trapped dirt, resulting in clean skin.

The trick is to start with cold water when showering and stand under the stream for one minute. Then, switch the water to lukewarm or warm for the next minute. Repeat this process 3-5 times.