What Is The Best Temperature For Your Easy Access Bath?

With heatwaves looming, one of the best ways to manage your body temperature is to take a soothing, warm bath, but what temperature should you set your easy access bath to, and why does this work?

During periods of extraordinarily warm weather, typically beginning in late spring and spanning all the way up to mid-September, there are several important tips to follow to keep yourself safe, particularly if you are sun-sensitive, struggle with temperature regulation or have flare-ups when hot or dehydrated.

One of the most surprising of these is to take a warm bath, particularly since it sounds somewhat counterproductive; when you are feeling warm, why would soaking yourself in warm water help?

To explain why, it is important to explore the benefits of warm baths, how they affect your body’s temperature regulation even in summer, and what temperature to set your bath to to ensure that, from start to finish, you are at a comfortable temperature.

 

Why Are Warm Baths Better For You Than Cold Showers?

When you are feeling especially hot, particularly after building up a sweat in the baking sun, the temptation is to step into a cold shower, but this actually might be counterproductive, according to an article by Manchester Evening News.

The issue is that whilst a cold shower provides instant relief, it actually interrupts your body’s natural systems for getting rid of heat.

The body naturally reacts to cold temperatures by constricting blood vessels, which stops the body from losing heat through the skin. This means that you can potentially feel even hotter once you leave the bath.

Instead, you should opt for the opposite, especially when preparing for bed, as a warm, relaxing bath is the best way for your body to acclimatise to warmth and allows your body’s core temperature to drop.

This is particularly useful in a walk-in bath, as whilst you are waiting for the water to drain, your body will cool down, and you will feel more comfortable and optimise your core body temperature.

 

Additional Benefits Of Warm Baths During Summer?

• A warm bath helps with sleep, particularly an hour before bedtime
• A warm bath soothes joint and muscle stiffness and pain, making it easier to relax afterwards
• A warm bath helps you feel more moisturised as your body soaks in and absorbs water from the bath
• A warm bath can help you feel better, as there is a link between serotonin and warm water

 

What Is The Best Temperature For A Warm Bath?

Whilst it is clear at this point that a warm bath is the best way to stay cool in summer and keep warm in winter, what is the ideal temperature to heat your bathwater to?

Typically, your bath should be a few degrees higher than your normal body temperature, which for most adults is between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. 

Generally, you should stick to a bath that is around 40 degrees Celsius, but you can have it slightly warmer or cooler depending on personal preference.

For people over the age of 65 with cooler core temperatures, the best temperature to keep your bath to is closer to 37 or 38 degrees Celsius in order to avoid overheating.