

This is the best time to take a shower

According to the experts

Young white woman washing herself in the shower
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It's a hotly contested issue: is it better to shower in the morning or at night? You probably have your preference, but a sleep expert from the US has waded into the debate and is firmly in the evening camp.

Nancy Rothstein calls herself The Sleep Ambassador and says she is committed to raising awareness about sleep and sleep disorders. She gives lectures on 'Sleep Wellness' to Fortune 500 corporations. She told Glamour:

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"A nighttime shower is an integral part of your 'preparing for bed' routine. It's time for you — no phone, no emails, just the luxury of fresh, warm water flowing over your body. Call it an opportunity to shower yourself with mindfulness!"

Are there health benefits to morning showers?

But don't be disheartened if you're committed to your morning wash, there are benefits to this routine too.

Dr Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine says a morning shower can give you time to meditate and regroup before a hectic day in the office.

She says: "This mindfulness can decrease inflammation in the skin by keeping levels of a hormone called cortisol [which is released when you're stressed] capped."

The dermatologist also points out that if you want to shave (whether that's legs or face), it's probably best to do so in the morning because you'll be more aware first thing (in theory) and less likely to cut yourself. She adds that when we wake up, we have a surge of platelets (cells involved in blood clotting), so if you do nick yourself, it's likely to heal faster.

However some experts think nighttime showers have skin benefits too. It's important to remove all the makeup, dirt and pollutants that you've acquired on your skin during the day. So even if you can't be bothered with a full shower, it's a good idea to give your face a proper cleanse.

Should you switch up your routine?

If you could do with more restful nights (and who couldn't?), you might want to try giving your morning shower a miss and wash in the evening instead. At the very least, avoiding the morning bathroom queue has got to be a plus.

h/t The Independent

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