How a Warm Bath Can Improve Sleep
Insufficient sleep is a common problem among American adults. Currently, more than 50 million Americans (or 2 out of every five adults) suffer from some sleep disorder, and 25% of adults report insufficient sleep for at least 15 out of every 30 days. With so many people struggling to sleep, it’s little wonder that people are always on the lookout for secrets to getting a better night’s rest. If you struggle to sleep, there could be a surprisingly simple solution to your problem: taking a warm bath. Here’s the science behind how a nice soak in your walk-in bathtub can help you drift off more easily.
Calming Your Mind
Do your thoughts seem to flit about restlessly as you try to fall asleep, keeping you awake with worries and fears about your everyday life? For many people with sleep troubles, the primary issue lies in settling their minds enough that they can drift off. And, believe it or not, a bath can help with that. According to research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a hot bath can positively impact your mental health. Soaking in warm water puts you in a more relaxed mood and can help you destress and calm a restless or troubled mind—precisely what you need to get your brain ready to drift off to dreamland.
Soothing Body Aches
Perhaps your sleep troubles relate to aches and pains in your body. Body aches can trouble anyone, whether it be sore muscles in a fit athlete or arthritic aches in a senior citizen, and those aches can frequently keep you up at night by making it impossible to get comfortable enough to sleep. Hot baths are a great way to relieve muscle tension and soothe aching joints. They increase blood flow throughout your body and create an overall soothing effect that is perfect for bedtime.
Dropping Your Body Temperature
Your body uses many different signals to tell you it’s time for sleep. One of those signals is related to your body’s core temperature. Most people’s average temperature sits right around 98 degrees Fahrenheit. But throughout the evening, your internal temperature will naturally decline, signaling to your body that it’s time for sleep.
Now, you might be thinking, “If a lower internal temperature signals sleep, why would I raise my temperature with a hot bath before bed?” The reason this works is that raising your core temperature in the bath will naturally result in a more dramatic decrease in your core temperature when your bath is over. That dramatic drop creates a clear signal to your body and mind that it’s time to turn in and catch some Zs.
If you struggle to sleep at night, a warm bath before bed could be the natural remedy you need to get the right amount of rest. But for some senior citizens, entering and exiting the tub can be a difficult task that is anything but relaxing. If you have decreased mobility that makes a nighttime bath a stressful or even dangerous experience, it’s time to upgrade to a walk-in tub. Contact us to learn more about getting your walk-in bath, so you can get the relaxing soak you need for a good night’s sleep.
