It is quite a common trend to lose some weight before a vacation or a big event. This is mainly because many people feel that their “regular clothes” are a little too small for them now and they want to fit into their old clothes again. While it is true that there is no harm in getting some exercise and improving your mental health, gaining weight in the shower is not a good idea. You will end up causing yourself unnecessary damage and discomfort.
Why Shower?
The shower is the place where you cleanse yourself before getting into the tub. All of us wash our bodies every day, but the type and amount of water we use while showering is different. Most people use less water when taking a shower compared to when they bathe. This is because when we are showering, we are not as careful as we need to be when washing our bodies. We also tend to stay in the shower for a shorter period of time. This means that the water used is not as good for our bodies as the water used in a bath would be. In some cases, people even jump in a pool after a shower!
The reason why we should not gain weight in the shower is that it is the place where most of the toxins are flushed out of our bodies. When we get into the tub, these toxins are more concentrated and this is why our bodies react more strongly than usual to any given stimulus. If you have been trying to lose weight and worried about the effects of taking a bath, opting for the shower instead may be a better option for you. This is mainly because bathing can cause you to gain weight even if you exercise or try to eat healthy. However, the opposite is true for the shower – taking a shower will help you lose weight.
How Long Does It Take To Lose Weight In The Shower?
The time required to shed off the excess pounds varies from person to person. Some people may lose a pound a day while others may require three pounds off their body in a week. You cannot really tell how much weight you will lose until you start taking the shower and monitoring your weight loss.
Who Should Not Take The Shower?
The following are some of the groups of people who should not lose weight in the shower:
- Pregnant women and overweight individuals – Pregnant women should not take the shower because fluid retention is one of the risks associated with the activity. Overweight individuals should not go into the shower for the same reason. They may also suffer from shortness of breath and dizziness when taking a shower. This is due to the fact that the shower floor is not always at a suitable height and if you are not used to climbing up high, it may be a strain on your back and neck.
- The elderly – Elderly people should not take the shower for the same reason as the pregnant women. There are also some other health risks associated with taking a shower that the elderly may be more susceptible to. This is mainly due to the fact that their bodies have become more fragile over the years. They may also suffer from dehydration which leads to dry mouth and a burning sensation when swallowing. These factors combine to make taking a shower a no go for the elderly.
- People with heart disease – People with heart disease should not take the shower for the same reason as the elderly. There are various health risks associated with taking a shower, some of which are heart related. They may feel short of breath and dizzy due to fluid retention or they may suffer from dehydration. This is why heart disease patients should avoid taking a shower. In fact, they should opt for a sponge bath instead which is less harmful to their bodies and also helps them relax more.
- People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – People with COPD should not take the shower for the same reason as the heart disease patients. To be more specific, they may feel short of breath and dizzy due to dehydration. This is exacerbated when they take a hot shower which can cause them to lose more fluid. Aside from this, there are also some health risks associated with taking a shower. People with COPD are prone to collapsed lung infections which can be caused or worsened by the activity. This is why they should not take the shower. They may also suffer from urinary tract infections which can be caused by exposure to bacteria in the shower. In addition to this, people with COPD may be more susceptible to falls due to their reduced sense of balance. This is why they should not take the shower either.
- Alcoholics – Alcoholics should not take the shower for the same reason as the heart disease patients and the COPD patients. There are various health risks associated with taking a shower among which are liver and kidney damage. This is why alcoholics should not take the shower. They may also suffer from delusions and disorientation due to excessive bathing which can also lead to skin infections. However, some individuals may lose their inhibitions completely while bathing and end up acting in a way that is not good for them in the long run. Therefore, there is a limit to how much benefit the activity can have for an alcoholic without risking their health in the process.
- People with hypothyroidism – People with hypothyroidism should not take the shower for the same reason as the alcoholic and the people with COPD. There are various health risks associated with taking a shower which include: increased blood pressure, heart attacks, and heart disease. People with hypothyroidism may be at risk of these cardiovascular disorders due to the effect that the shower has on their cholesterol levels. As with the alcoholic and the people with COPD, those with hypothyroidism may be more susceptible to skin infections. They should not take the shower for the same reason.
- People with diabetes – People with diabetes should not take the shower for the same reason as the alcoholic and the people with COPD. There are various health risks associated with taking a shower among which are heart disease, kidney disease, foot problems, and damage to the eyesight. People with diabetes may be more susceptible to these problems due to the fact that their bodies do not react normally to external stimuli. This makes taking a shower a high risk activity for them. One of the complications associated with diabetes is ketoacidosis – an abnormal accumulation of acids in the blood which can lead to serious problems for the person experiencing it. This is why they should not take the shower.
The Dangers Of Showering Without Proper Hydration
Take a shower without properly hydrating yourself and you may experience many problems. The first and probably the most dangerous of these is dehydration. Since we are not used to staying in the shower for a long time, our bodies eventually get rid of all the water and when this happens, we become very vulnerable to heat exposure. The human body is not designed for high heat exposure and this can have dangerous outcomes. This is why it is never a good idea to take a shower without properly hydrating first. Our bodies cannot regulate heat effectively and this makes it harder for us to stay cool when in the shower. As a general rule, you should drink at least eight ounces of water for every hour that you spend in the shower. This will help maintain a safe body temperature and prevent any health complications from occurring.
Are There Any Benefits Coming From Taking A Shower?
The following are some of the benefits that you may experience by taking a shower: