The case for showering in the morning
A survey by Each Night of more than 1000 people found that 49.5% of people shower in the morning, and those who shower in the morning are the most satisfied with their overall life. Of those who showered in the morning, 78% reported they were happy with their life, 77% happy with their health and 67% happy with their career. Another study claimed that morning showers will rid you of sweat, sleep inertia and help you wake up faster. In fact, the survey by Each Night found that 72% of those who shower in the morning wake up feeling rested, while only 65% of those who shower at night feel the same. Furthermore, the survey found that 83% of morning bathers reported being productive each day, while 78% of evening dippers could say the same.
The case for showering at night
The survey by Each Night revealed that 34% of people shower at night, and of those 2 out of 5 people who shower before bef find it difficult to wake up in the morning. However, scientific studies have proven showers can increase creativity and refresh your mind, and there's evidence to suggest hopping under a stream of hot water before you go to bed can help you fall asleep quicker. This theory is corroborated by another study conducted by German bathroom and kitchen fixtures company Hansgrohe in 2014, which found that 72% of people get their best ideas in the shower because it relaxes them and allows the mind to wander and unwind - perfect conditions for going to bed.
A study conducted by the Centre of Sleep Medicine found that showering before bed helps your body cool down and relax, but the key to getting the most out of a pre-bedtime shower is timing. Showering directly before bed will actually make it harder to fall asleep as your body temperature will be raised, and you don't want to heat up right before bed, as cooling down is our body;s signal that it is time to sleep. Dr. Augelli says the optimum time to shower is 90 minutes before hitting the hay, as that leaves enough time for your body to circulate it's circadian rhythms – the things that tell your body whether it's sleepy or awake.
Morning or night?
The time of day you shower largely depends on your personal routines, however, these studies suggest you can get different benefits from each time slot.
Morning showers may be best if you're looking for a way to wake up, be more alert, productive, happier and healthier. But, if washing away the day, relaxing your mind and unlocking a little creativity is what you want, then a shower in the evening may be best for you, and a good way for you to get a better sleep.
The best time to shower, it seems, depends on what benefits you want to experience.
