Summer is the time when you are forced to take two or three showers daily to beat the scorching heat. Washing your body with warm or cool water relaxes your body and mind during the heatwave. However, there are certain bathing techniques or routines that might help you feel more relaxed and cleaner. Most Keralites prefer showering in the morning immediately after brushing their teeth. This is also the most commonly followed tradition here. Interestingly, these long baths were also a form of exercise while cleansing the body.
It is believed that the water has ‘Praanshakti’ at the wee hours called the ‘Brahma Muhurta’. Our ancestors believed that bathing during ‘Brahma Muhurta’ would help the body absorb the ‘Pranshakti’ and fill your day with positive energy. However, the nature of bathing changed when it was transferred to enclosed bathrooms. Nevertheless, most Malayalis still begin their day by taking a refreshing shower in the morning.
Taking a shower before having breakfast is the best way as the body would divert the blood flow to the intestines to digest the food. Bathing immediately after eating would drop the body temperature which in turn affects the blood flow. According to Ayurveda, the drop in body temperature immediately after a meal would slow down digestion. This is probably the logical reason why there are many Proverbs in Malayalam like ‘Undittu kulikkunnavane kandal kulikkanam’ (you should wash yourself after seeing someone bathing immediately after a meal) that stress the importance of maintaining body temperature after eating.
We take a bath to remove the sweat, dirt, grime and dead cells from our body. So, it might seem proper to take a shower in the evening rather than in the morning. But, scientific studies show that you should bathe in the morning as it makes you feel refreshed. Even though the morning showers might lower the body temperature, they will definitely perk you up. Besides, taking a shower after working out in the morning would wash away the bacteria that cause body odour.
Hot water shower
Just as some people might experience headaches after having ice-creams, bathing in cold water may cause migraines. Moreover, bathing in cold water may lead to stiffness in the legs and poor blood circulation in old people and those who suffer from conditions like neuropathy. Cold water showers would worsen joint pains in those who have arthritis. So, such people should always take a bath in warm water. Besides, warm water showers are better in case you suffer from allergies or bouts of cold and fever.
Moreover, hot water is perfect for bathing during monsoon. Make sure to bathe in cooled-down boiled water immediately after recovering from a fever. While bathing little children, it is better to use cooled-down boiled water rather than mixing hot water with some plain water. However, those who are used to taking cold showers can continue that if they do not have any serious health issues.
Is it necessary to bathe daily?
Some studies reveal that bathing daily would reduce the natural oils in our skin, thus increasing the risk of infections. However, skin experts say that Malayalis would benefit from daily showers as you tend to sweat more in the hot and humid weather in Kerala. But, it is better not to wash your head in case you are showering in the evening. As it takes time for the hair to get dry, it may lead to sinusitis and cold.
Minimal soap
Morning showers and body washing in the evening have become part of our routine. However, using soap twice a day might not be good for the skin. Instead of rubbing the soap bar directly on the skin, it is better to foam it up between the palms before applying it to the body. You could also use mung bean powder or other natural cleansing ingredients once a day. Meanwhile, using soap on the face would make the facial skin drier. So, soap-free facewashes are best to clean the facial skin.
When to wash head
Our ancestors used to say that you should begin the shower routine by washing your feet. It was believed that washing the head first would lead to cold and fever. Meanwhile, washing the feet first may help the body get used to the cold water. Other than this, there is no scientific reasoning for the practice.
Ayurveda says that in case you wash the head first, then do not forget to rinse quickly, before the body absorbs coldness. Taking long baths or hot showers would remove the natural oils from our skin. Meanwhile, skin experts say that washing the head regularly would remove the oils from the hair follicles making hair dry and prone to breakage. Make sure to wash the feet thoroughly using soap to scrub off the dirt between the fingers. After taking the shower, you should wipe off moisture from the folds of the body to prevent fungal infections.
Do not wipe your body harshly using a towel; instead, gently dab on the skin to remove moisture. Applying moisturizer immediately after taking a shower would keep the skin soft and supple. Do not forget to wash the loofahs or scrubbers after the shower and hang them to dry as these might be breeding grounds for bacteria.
Bathing and stroke
There have been rumours that taking a cold shower in the morning would block the blood flow to the head and increase the risk of severe health conditions like stroke. However, medical experts say that there is no scientific backing to prove that cold showers may lead to stroke.
Oil Bath
Ayurveda suggests oil baths for maintaining a healthy and long life. Heating the oil a bit by rubbing it between your palms, before applying it on your head and body is the best way. Moreover, gentle massages would help improve blood circulation too. Do not forget to apply oil behind the ears and below the feet. Coconut oil or ayurvedic oils like Dhanwantharam tailam are excellent for oil massages. However, Ayurveda advises avoiding elaborate oil baths in case you suffer from indigestion, loss of appetite, fever and also during periods.
Healthy bathing techniques
1) Besides the regular showers, many other bathing techniques like steam baths help the body heal and recover. For instance, a steam bath is excellent for soothing lung-related diseases like bronchitis and rhinitis. As the toxins are expelled during the steam bath, it is amazing for your skin too.
2) Immersing the body in a neutral bath, which is a bathtub filled with warm water, for 20 – 30 minutes would relax the body and mind while keeping away exhaustion and sleeplessness.
3) Sitz bath or sitting in a bathtub filled with warm water mixed with salt crystals could help soothe vaginal infections.
Information courtesy
Dr. Jiji Kuruttukulam, Neurologist, Kochi
Prof. Padmapadan Pillai, Siddha Kudeeram, Kureekad, Thripunithura