In this terrible cold we prefer to take the hottest shower. Hmm… nice to warm up, or so you would think. According to experts, taking a hot shower when it is cold is not healthy for you at all. This is why.
Also read: No matter how cold it is: why you shouldn’t sleep with the heating on
Nice hot shower in the cold
While you prefer to take a cold shower in the summer, we do it the other way around in the winter. Cold weather = hot shower. Then put on a nice sweater and sweatpants and you’ll finally be warm again. However, according to experts, it is not a good idea to take hot showers in winter. Lukewarm water would be a lot better for your health… Here’s why.
Effects of cold and heat
Biologist and thermophysiologist Boris Kingma knows everything about the effects of cold and heat in the body and explains this in the AD: “Cold causes less blood to flow to the blood vessels under the skin and to your body parts. Your hands and toes in particular will feel ice cold. and can excite, while the rest of the body retains heat.” Makes sense!
Expert warns
After experiencing such immense cold (luckily it is slowly warming up), your first instinct is of course to jump into a hot shower to warm up. Think again, says Boris Kingma. He says that it is important for your body to minimize the shock from cold and heat. When you direct a hot beam onto your ice-cold body, you have a shock effect.
With a potentially serious consequence, namely: a heart attack. It is therefore better to shower with lukewarm water. In any case, start a little cooler and then gradually warm up the jet. This way you help your body not to go into shock.
No alcohol
Another tip that Kingma gives is to leave alcohol out in the cold more often. You often think that this will make you nice and warm, but the opposite is true. Alcohol actually causes you to lose heat. Good to know!
