This content has been reviewed and updated on July 31, 2023.
After a long day at work or running around checking errands off your list, nothing is quite as relaxing as a hot shower. But did you know that taking a morning shower may offer some unique benefits?
Although there are benefits to showering before bed, a morning suds session is ideal for many people. When you’re just too wiped out to do anything but crawl into bed, remind yourself of the benefits of showering in the morning and sleep soundly knowing that you can clean up come sunrise.
What You Gain by Showering in the Morning
Scientists have determined that the best time to shower depends on the individual, their activities, and their goals. After all, it’s hard to argue that there’s ever a bad time to scrub up. That said, there are some good reasons to wait until you wake up to hop in the shower.
1. Wake Up Faster
Taking a shower first thing in the morning can be the jumpstart you need to get your day off on the right foot. The contrast between your warm bed and the water, especially when it’s on the cooler side, gets your blood flowing and increases your internal body temperature, which helps you shake off the grogginess and feel more energetic.
If you feel especially sleepy, try contrast showering or a cold-hot-cold cycle at the end of the shower. Spend 30 seconds under the coldest water you can stand, followed by 30 seconds of the hottest water, and finish with another 30 seconds of cold water. This hydrotherapy-like approach can really get you going, even on your most sluggish days.
2. Boost Creativity
Do you feel like you come up with your best ideas in the shower? If you do, you’re not alone—and there’s actually a good reason for it. Focusing on a simple, repetitive task like washing your hair allows your brain’s prefrontal cortex (the part responsible for rational thinking) to take a break. Without the constant feedback from this part of the brain, the other parts can engage in some innovative and creative thinking, spurring the “a-ha!” moments that are so common in the shower.
If you have a big issue to tackle at work or need to bring your creative A-game to a project, shower in the morning and let your mind wander while you wash up.
3. Increase Productivity
Showering in the morning can also help you become more productive for the rest of the day. The simple act of showering can increase dopamine production. Dopamine is an endorphin known as the “go-getter” hormone, and it helps you feel more energetic so you can get things done throughout the day.
Because showering in the morning (especially when you add some cool water) jumpstarts circulation, more nutrients and oxygen circulate throughout your body throughout the day, which helps you stay energized and tackle to-do lists. When you add some energy-boosting aromatherapy to your routine, you enjoy an even more lively start to the day.
4. Look Your Best
Starting your day on the right note with a refreshing shower can help you look and feel your best. If you tend to have oily skin or hair, showering in the morning in clean, filtered water free of heavy metals, bacteria, and other contaminants can help keep your pores clear and your skin healthy. Plus, we tend to sweat more at night than in the morning—a nice rinse eliminates the bacteria that can cause odor and clogged pores. And if you work out first thing in the morning, a shower after exercise helps you refresh and prepare for the rest of your day.
Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? The answer varies by person, but what isn’t up for debate is the benefits of showering with filtered water.
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