Is there a better feeling than standing under a hot shower or slipping into a warm bath, as waves of soreness, anxiety, and stress leave the body? Probably not. After a long, tiring day, there’s little else that can help reduce bodily stress and exhaustion as much as a de-stressing bath. And guess what, it helps you sleep faster and better, too. Here’s how:

Including bathing in your bedtime routine

The circadian rhythm of the body, which controls several biological processes including the sleep cycle, is attuned to the body temperature. It wakes you up and makes you sleepier. An uninterrupted sleep, therefore, depends on this rhythm which, in turn, is dependent on your schedule. Typically at night, the brain releases melatonin and prepares the body for sleep, but a lot can get in the way: work, household chores, on-demand video series, or simply, your phone.

A nightly bath forces you to disconnect

Unless you’re completely addicted, you’re most likely not taking your phone inside the bathroom. These few minutes get the mind to unplug and help you smoothly transition from your active day to a relaxed sleep.

It’s good for the skin too

Baths are cleansing. You’re washing away the day’s grime and removing all kinds of bacteria that were tugging along with you all day. It also makes your night creams and moisturisers work better.

It is a natural lullaby

And now for the most important benefit, it makes you sleep quicker and faster. Think about it: You’ve just taken a hot shower and are now crawling into bed. You’re clean, fragrant, stress-free, and relaxed. Despite the hot shower, you will experience that your body is cooling down. It’s a signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep.

In fact, a recent study monitored if bathing before bed improved the quality of sleep. It investigated the effects in 30 elderly people (ages 65-83 years) and in 30 young people and found that body movements were less frequent and the quality of sleep was enhanced.

Another study compared nine women who took a hot bath before bed with nine women who didn’t and found that the bath facilitated early sleep onset.

It’s the most important bed-time behaviour

Sundown or sleep rituals for most people include binge watching or whiling away time on the phone. But the blue light that emanates from the screen throws your circadian rhythm out of whack and forces you to feel wakeful. Therefore, for you to sleep soundly, your phone has to be soundless and hopefully, out of reach.

As a bonus, here’s a routine you must follow for a good night’s sleep:

  • An hour before bed, switch off your phones and escort them out of the room.
  • Then take a lukewarm bath for 15 to 20 minutes
  • Once you’re out of the bathroom and relaxed, try breathing exercises or meditating for five to 10 minutes or write three things you’re thankful for in your journal
  • Afterwards, crawl into bed to read a chapter of a book or talk with your partner
  • Sleep well!

Author(s)

  • Founded in 2016 by Arianna Huffington, Thrive Global is the world’s largest well-being media platform. Since its launch in October 2018, Thrive Global India has received over 40 million visitors. Our media platform Our focus is on well-being and productivity, emphasising real experiences and unique storytelling. Through articles, videos, and podcasts featuring business leaders, scientists, athletes, entertainers and new role models of success, we add a new dimension to the global conversation of wellness. Our stories discuss daily challenges, people’s personal journeys of how they thrive, and recommend solutions to bring purpose and wonder into our worlds. We realise that the struggles of our everyday life—stress, burnout, exhaustion, apathy, technological addiction—can be intimidatingly broad and numerous. And it’s only through lived and shared experiences of people, combined with expert data and science-based solutions, that we can achieve actual, dramatic results that help us live and work well. Our enterprise solutions There is a pervasive belief that burnout is the price we must pay for success, but research has shown it is a delusion. As a matter of fact, by prioritising our well-being, we pave way for a healthier, productive life with enhanced efficiency, decision making and creativity. Through our assessments, corporate workshops, digital engagement solutions and more, we bring to you science-backed well-being and performance-enhancing strategies, proven to help individuals and teams thrive.