Bath vs Shower: Which One is Better

Last Updated On: 21 April 2021

After a long day coming home and taking a warm bath or a hot shower can be quite relaxing. 

But between bath vs shower which one is better. Let's find out.

HISTORY OF HYGIENE:

Human beings probably took some measures to clean themselves even in the bronze era. In fact, a recent discovery found a bathhouse in Spain dating 60000 years ago. That means even Neanderthals took baths. It might not be as luxurious as ours, but it did the job. Not only that but also, they used to throw limestones and other rocks at the bath to have a salt bath. There were lots of ways our ancestors cleaned themselves. Although they did not take baths regularly, they swam in the sea, washed with spring water. Showers, on the other hand, are a modern invention. Even though there were springs and waterfalls, they were too powerful to use. Romans had bathhouses as did other advanced civilizations. Actually, taking a bath in ancient times was quite a burden. Probably that’s why showers weren’t a regular thing. Now fast forward to today we have a ton of ways we can maintain our hygiene.

Advantages of baths

There are many different ways to take a bath. You can take a salt bath, herbal bath. Some even take a milk bath. Don’t forget about bubble baths. Baths can alleviate one’s mood. A warm bath can increase not only blood flow but also reduces muscle pain. Adding Epsom salt to the bath water can help with Arthritic pain. It can also help with period cramps. Also soaking in bath water and then exfoliating ensures the best result. Also steam from the bath helps with the cold. Actually, a bath helps with sickness in general. Baths can also help with some skin problems. That’s just a normal bath. Adding apple cider vinegar in your bath water helps with body acne. Apple cider vinegar also detoxes your body and makes your hair shiny. 

Herbal baths also have many medicinal benefits. It makes your skin smooth and also helps with skin problems. If you wear high heels or have to stand most of the time salt baths can be marvelous. A bubble bath is not only fun but also can alleviate your mood. If you have dry skin just add some oats in your bath. It will be very soothing and nourishing for your skin. Taking a warm bath before bed actually helps with relaxing and unwinding. Add some lavender oil to your bath for maximum effect. Even if you don’t have a bath every day, it can still be a part of you pamper routine. When it comes to relaxation, a bath is always a great option. After a long day, a warm bath gets rid of all the stress and dullness and makes you feel calm and peaceful. So, it may be worth taking a bath once in a while.

ALSO READ: WARM BATH: ANOTHER FORM OF WATER THERAPY

Disadvantages of baths

As there are a lot of advantages to taking a bath there are also some disadvantages. First and foremost a bathtub takes up a lot of space, and not all modern home has extra space for bathtubs. So, it is already a difficulty for many people as they might live in a rental home where they have no access to a bathtub also not all people have enough space for a bathtub in their own home. Also, elderly people and children can have difficulty getting out of a bathtub.

A bathtub can also cause accidents if we are not careful. Also, if you have a pre-existing skin condition like eczema, soaking in a bathtub for a long time can irritate your skin instead of soothing it. So, if you have any skin condition consult your doctor. Sometimes mold can grow around a bathtub if not cleaned properly. So, make sure your bathtub is clean to ensure a relaxing environment. A lot of people use store brought bath bombs in their bath. These things contain chemicals and sometimes glitter which can irritate the skin. So, when buying these things try to choose more natural ones. A lot of people put candles around their bathtub which can be a fire hazard so be careful while having a candlelit bath. Despite having these downsides, a bath is still desirable to a lot of people.

Advantages of a shower:

The main aspect of a shower is that it can be quick. A lot of people have work or school in the morning, and they don’t have time to take a bath. So, a quick shower has to do the job. A hot shower can be quite relaxing also. A shower can take very little space. A lot of adventurous people takes outdoor showers. A shower is accessible to almost everyone as both rental and private housings offer individual showers. A lot of public restrooms also has showers.

The ancient Greeks were the first people to have showers. Back then only royals or influential people could have a shower, but now almost anyone can have them. Another thing about showers is that they don’t take very long. When you take a bath, you have to wait to fill up the bathtub also if you take a bath for a long time your bath may get cold. Showers are just quick and efficient. If you take a hot shower, it will open up your pores. On the other hand, taking a cold shower will shrink your pores. So, a combination of the hot and cold shower is very good for your skin. If you are prone to cold then instead of soaking in a bathtub, taking a hot shower might be good for you. After a workout, a shower is the best option to wash of dirt and sweat. So,it’s kind of depends on your lifestyle how many times you shower in a week. Choose whatever works best for you.

Disadvantages of taking a shower:

First of all, showers are a huge waste of water. When you shower not all the water hits your body. A lot of water gets wasted. Not only that but also there are dirt and bacteria gathering inside the shower which can cause serious skin problems. That’s why experts advise on using a shower filter or changing the shower head every six months. But not a lot of people can do that. So, the dirty water causes breakout and other skin problems. When you shower the water splashes everywhere, so the bathroom is always wet. But this problem can be easily solved by using a shower curtain or glass doors.

Which one should you choose?

Depending on your lifestyle and habits it varies whether you should take a bath or shower. Now if you are living in a rental, you don’t really have much choice, but if you have your own place, then you have the luxury to choose. In that case, you should at least have one bathtub in the house because most families with children look for a house with a bathtub. If you ever want to resell the house, this will help you. Now back to the matter at hand, showering and bathing both have their advantages and disadvantages. Soaking your body in water for a long amount of time will strip your body from its oil and make your skin dull. On the other hand, taking a shower every day can be a waste of energy, and it’s not very relaxing. Taking a shower is very quick a bath, on the other hand, takes a long time. So, people who are busy or have a busy schedule naturally prefer showering but to shower a baby is very difficult. Babies and old people prefer baths. So, if you have a family, it is wise to have both options. But the difference between these two fixtures comes down to much more than just personal preferences.

You need to think about your families’ safety, energy bills etc. If you live a stressful life and you don’t have any time to go to a spa. Taking a bath once a week might be the thing for you. If you live in a small apartment where you don’t have any wish to stay for a long time, then a shower would just have to do for now. So, it completely depends on the person how they choose to maintain their hygiene. But the best way to go on is to have a bath once a week and shower the rest of the week. This way you can have the best of both worlds. But try not to shower for too long or stay in the bath for too long as it can remove moisture from your skin and also waste a lot of water which in turn cost a lot of money. So, moderation is the key. This way you can enjoy both your bath and shower and the environment will also stay safe for a very long time.

ALSO READ: HOT WATER BATH TO CONTROL LIFE PROBLEMS