Why you should never take a cold shower in this heat & the exact temperature to set your water to to keep cool

Scottish Sun

a day ago

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TAKING a cold shower now that the temperatures are scorching has become a daily ritual for millions of Brits.
But according to one expert, as cooling as the water may seem, jumping into cold water during hot weather is not a good idea.
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A freezing cold shower has become a ritual for millions of sweaty Brits - but one expert has revealed why it not necessarily may be the best of ideas
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The expert chatted to This Morning where she revealed the exact temperature you should set your water to
Credit: TikTok / @thismorning
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According to the doctor, who specialises in sleep, you should focus on ''lots of blood flow going to your extremities'', such as hand and feet
Credit: TikTok / @thismorning
Dr Sophie Bostock revealed that instead, you should be doing the very opposite - and there's a specific temperature you should be setting your shower to.
While many reckon that a freezing cold rinse is tactical before bedtime for the ultimate sleep, Dr Sophie said it's amongst one of the worst things you could do - only topped by taking an ice bath.
''Getting into ice cold water gives your nervous system a bit of a shock,'' she explained.
Chatting to This Morning's Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, she went on: ''Your immediate reaction in cold water is for your blood vessels to constrict - because it's trying to protect you.''
So, what should you do instead?
According to the doctor, who specialises in sleep, you should focus on ''lots of blood flow going to your extremities'', such as hand and feet.
''Research suggests that a lukewarm bath or shower actually helps with the blood flow to your skin.''
This, she went on, means that when you get out of the shower, your body is going to lose heat more easiliy.
Struggling to fall asleep in the hot weather? There are more hacks that many swear by - including a freezer tip that will give you the best night's sleep.
Posting on social media, an expert at EarthKind, a luxury and sustainable bedding company, revealed four 'easy steps to stay cool this summer.'
I bought two splash pads from Temu and TikTok shop for £9.99 for my kids to compare - one of them is HUGE for the price
The first step is all about your hygiene habits and it appears that hot showers are now out of the question.
The pro advised: 'Take a shower 20 to 15 minutes before you go to sleep to cool down your body temperature.'
Next up, the sleep guru shared how a flannel could be the answer to sleepless summer nights.
The pro suggested: 'Take a flannel and run it under some cold water - this can be used to dab your face throughout the night to cool you down or as a cold compress on your head.'
How to keep cool in hot weather
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS...
Keep out of the heat if you can.
If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
Cool yourself down.
Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool.
Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
Not only this, but it's also important to ensure sunlight doesn't invade your home where possible.
'Make sure all your blinds are down so the sunlight does not warm up your bedroom,' the expert stressed.
Finally, the EarthKind employee shared her 'favourite' piece of advice for hot sleepers.
Not only will it change how you make your bed, but it'll work in just 10 minutes too.
She beamed: 'Take your pillowcase and put them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes and trust me, you will have the best night sleep with these hacks.'