uchino_officialWhy baths are good for the body and mind
2024/07/31
table of contents
Why do you take a bath?
Of course, one reason is to wash the body and remove dirt.
But if that's all you need, a shower will suffice.
Your body and mind will feel free and relaxed, something you can only experience by taking a leisurely soak in warm water.
So let's explore the secret behind why bathing has such an effect.
Why baths are good for the body and mind
A blissful moment relaxing in the bath. The effects of bathing on the body and mind have been scientifically proven. These effects are heat, water pressure, and buoyancy. When you soak in the bathtub, each of these effects work together to improve blood circulation and bring about a relaxing effect.
thermal effect
When you soak in hot water, your body warms up; this is the thermogenic effect. When your body temperature rises, the capillaries in your skin expand, improving blood flow (circulation) throughout your body. This allows fatigue substances and waste products to be expelled smoothly from your body, relieves muscle tension, and relaxes your body.
Hydraulic action
Do you feel like your stomach is sinking when you take a bath? This is not just your imagination, but the water pressure of the bathtub. When you do this, pressure is applied not only to the surface of your body but also to your blood vessels. This pushes out the blood that has accumulated in your hands and feet, stimulating your heart and promoting blood circulation.
Buoyancy effect
The gravity in a bathtub is 9/1 that of land due to the buoyancy of the water. Your body weight is also 9/1, which reduces the strain on the muscles and joints that support your body, relieving tension and making it easier to recover from fatigue. At the same time, the stimulation to the brain caused by tension is also reduced. This allows you to relax both physically and mentally.
There are many benefits to promoting blood circulation
What do you think happens when blood circulation is improved by bathing? You may have heard that it is "good for the body" but not know the specific effects in detail. In fact, many of our everyday health and beauty problems are caused by poor circulation. Blood circulates throughout the body, transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells. It also receives carbon dioxide and waste products from cells and delivers them to organs that break them down and dispose of them. When blood flow is stagnant, that is, when circulation is poor, the necessary oxygen and nutrients do not reach every corner of the body sufficiently, while unnecessary substances are difficult to excrete from the body, making it more likely that various problems will occur. By improving blood flow through bathing, you can expect the following effects.
Effect of promoting blood circulation
Fatigue recovery
When blood circulation is improved, waste products and fatigue-causing substances such as lactic acid are more easily excreted from the body, which means fatigue is relieved and recovery is quicker.
Improve metabolism
Basal metabolism is the energy consumed in activities to maintain life. The amount of this energy decreases with age. As a result, not only do we become more prone to gain weight, but various bodily functions also decline. By continuing to take a half-body bath, which promotes blood circulation and induces sweating, cells become more active and this metabolism can be increased.
Relief of stiff shoulders and back pain
It is said that stiff shoulders and back pain are caused by fatigue substances accumulating in tense muscles and joints due to exposure to cold or long hours of desk work, which then compress blood vessels. When blood circulation improves, it becomes easier to expel these fatigue substances, which leads to the alleviation of stiff shoulders and back pain.
Beautiful skin
The epidermal cells, the outermost layer of the skin, naturally shed their old keratin every 30 days and are replaced by new cells. However, if the blood circulation in the dermis layer below is poor, this cycle does not work well, which can cause rough skin. If you can make this cycle function properly and properly eliminate waste products, you will not get breakouts and your skin will become clearer.
Comparison of blood flow volume between bathing in a bathtub (half-body bath) and showering
A half-body bath filled with happiness
Bathing is good for both the body and the mind. If you want to enhance the effects even more, we recommend a half-body bath. It warms your tired body from the inside out, and the relaxing effect of bathing is even greater. Please give it a try for a relaxing time after the bath.
A half-body bath is a way to take a bath without putting strain on the body.
A half-body bath is a method of soaking in lukewarm water up to the solar plexus (below the chest) for 20 to 30 minutes. Compared to a full-body bath where you are fully immersed up to your shoulders, this puts less strain on your heart and allows you to stay in the bath for longer, warming your body from the inside out. If your shoulders are exposed and feel cold, place a dry towel over them. After a while, the blood that has been warmed in your lower body will circulate throughout your body, and your upper body will start to feel warm as well. You will sweat a lot in a half-body bath, so drink a glass of room temperature water before and after bathing to avoid dehydration.
The key is to have a "slightly warm" temperature
First, keep in mind that different water temperatures have completely different effects on the body. If you want to feel refreshed, hotter water (over 40°C) is appropriate. The stimulation of hot water activates the sympathetic nervous system, making the body active. On the other hand, if you want to relax before going to sleep, we recommend water that feels slightly lukewarm, at 37-39°C. Immersing in lukewarm water activates the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxing the mind and body. For this reason, lukewarm water is appropriate for a half-body bath before going to bed.
Amazingly relaxing effect
Here's some data. When we looked into the degree of stress reduction after a 40-minute full-body bath at 5°C and a 38-minute half-body bath at 20°C, it became clear that the half-body bath reduced stress significantly. This is how much of a difference there is, even when taking the same bath.
Sweating is important
Well, if you take a long half-body bath and soak in hot water, you will gradually start to sweat. This "sweating" is very important for the body. Sweating allows the body to smoothly regulate its temperature, which is essential for life activities, and balances the autonomic nervous system. It also makes it easier to eliminate waste products and fatigue substances from the body, relieving fatigue and improving the skin, so there are many benefits. Be sure to take your time soaking in hot water and working up a good sweat.
References: "Happy Bathtime Recipes" by Tokyo Gas Urban Life Research Institute; "The Royal Road to Healthy and Beautiful Baths" by Bath Culture Research Association
