The hot summer weather makes many people consider taking a late-night shower to cool off and sleep better. In reality, this can be harmful to health.
During the summer days, showering is not just a form of personal hygiene but also a moment of relaxation, washing away the fatigue and heat of a long day.
To relieve the discomfort caused by the weather and to sleep better, many people choose to shower right before bedtime. Although this may feel comfortable, it also poses serious health risks.
According to Colonel, herbalist Bui Hong Minh, former Chairman of the Ba Dinh Traditional Medicine Association, from the perspective of Yin and Yang, night belongs to Yin and day belongs to Yang. The human body is dependent on and affected by the weather.
Late-night showers are very harmful to health. (Photo: Dailymail).
In the evening (Yin), the temperature and air drop, so showering at night is not beneficial and can even harm health. This can lead to various mild ailments such as headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and difficulty moving limbs. In severe cases, it can result in dangerous conditions like strokes and even death.
Young people who shower at night can cause blood vessels to constrict, especially when taking cold showers, which makes blood circulation difficult. This can easily lead to headaches, shoulder pain, and over time develop into chronic headaches.
Older individuals, with physiological characteristics such as constricted blood vessels, hardened arteries (calcification), and thicker blood compared to younger people, often experience high blood pressure. Showering late at night significantly increases their risk of stroke compared to younger individuals.
Therefore, herbalist Hong Minh advises that people with high blood pressure or vestibular disorders should absolutely avoid late-night showers to prevent strokes.
Experts also note that showering with hot water causes veins to dilate, which can lower blood pressure. Thus, individuals with low or unstable blood pressure may experience sudden drops in blood pressure, which can be life-threatening.
Women during their period should not shower late.
Additionally, women during their period should avoid late-night showers and refrain from washing their hair at the same time, as this can lead to headaches and menstrual cramps. At this time, when blood and energy are depleted, showering and washing hair simultaneously can cool the body too much, causing blood to stagnate and resulting in abdominal pain.
“Children, pregnant women, intoxicated individuals, and those who have worked hard and are sweating profusely should absolutely not shower late after 10 PM,” herbalist Minh advises.
The best time to shower for health is in the morning. “Since ancient times, there has been a saying reminding descendants that morning showers are gold, noon showers are silver, and evening showers are lead,” herbalist Hong Minh states.
Moreover, you should also remember a few things when showering:
- You should only shower once a day. On days you do not shower, use a towel to wipe your face, armpits, and groin.
- The duration of the shower should not be too long, ideally 15-20 minutes per shower. It is recommended to shower under the faucet for only 5-10 minutes.
- If you wish to shower at night, do so only before 8 PM, and absolutely do not shower after 10 PM.
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