8 Health Benefits of Taking a Warm Bath

There’s little better than a warm bath to lift your spirits after a long day. However, a bath can do more than boost your mood—there are tangible, scientifically-backed health benefits to taking your daily bath. Let’s discuss eight health benefits of bathing, from soothing aches and pains to improving your mental health. 

1. Improve Heart Health

Many Americans have high blood pressure, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious consequences. With its warm water, your daily bath can temporarily lower your blood pressure. This is no replacement for lifestyle changes but can be a great supplement when combined with a healthy routine and medical interventions.

2. Lower Stress

Stress relief is likely the factor you most associate with a bath, and for good reason. Warm water melts muscle tension and decreases stress hormones, leaving you with a better outlook than when you entered the bath. You don’t need to wait very long before feeling the benefits, either: soaking in your bath for about 20 minutes reduces tension. 

3. Sleep Better

While the relaxation a warm bath provides certainly doesn’t hurt your sleep habits, that’s not the only reason bathing before bed may lead to better rest. A small-scale study found that bathing in warm water for 10 or more minutes improves your sleep quality and even addresses daytime sleepiness through water-based passive body heat. We’d recommend scheduling your daily bath an hour or two before bed for best results. 

4. Reduce Inflammation

Painful inflammation, associated with arthritis, autoimmune disorders or sore joints, is a common complaint among seniors. Warm baths can be a wonderful, all-natural way to manage chronic inflammation symptoms. While this isn’t a complete treatment plan, adding a bath to your routine can certainly help.

5. Boost Immunity

That’s right: a warm bath can help your immune system fight back against viruses and bacteria. By raising your body temperature and boosting your blood circulation, your immune system can more efficiently navigate your body and aid recovery. Some of the other benefits we’ve included here, like better sleep and stress reduction, also help your immune system. 

6. Soothe Skin

You’ve likely heard that hot water dries out your skin. That can be true, and is why we don’t recommend bathing in very hot water. However, warm water provides all the benefits without the hazards. Our anti-scald technology helps your bath stay at a safe, comfortable temperature that, when combined with a moisturizing body wash, leads to soft skin. For an extra boost, finish out your bath with our MicroSoothe^® air therapy system that leaves your skin nourished and silky-smooth. 

7. Relieve Respiratory Issues

When you have a cold or seasonal allergies, one of the first remedies you likely try is a long bath or shower. Steam has long been a household favorite for naturally alleviating minor respiratory issues. It clears the sinuses, even providing some relief for chronic allergies and asthma, allowing you to breathe more freely and with less effort. 

8. Burn Calories

While a bath won’t lead to results like monitoring your diet and exercise, a small study has linked the “passive heat” from soaking in an hour-long bath with burning about as many calories as a 30-minute walk (about 130 calories). The warm water increases your circulation and makes your heart beat faster, giving you a low-intensity workout. So, while it’s no substitute for regular exercise, your bath could help you lose a few extra calories! 

Enjoy Your Daily Bath Safely With Safe Step 

If you’re interested in a daily bath but concerned about your safety while doing so, look no further. We’ve spent years creating walk-in baths and showers with households like yours in mind so that you can bathe safely and with the dignity you deserve—in the comfort of your own home.