When illness strikes, standing in the shower can feel like a major task, creating a dilemma between hygiene and rest, especially when feeling low energy or achy. For common viral infections like colds or the flu, however, taking a shower is generally safe and can support recovery. The key is understanding how the routine affects your body and making adjustments to conserve energy and maximize comfort.
The Therapeutic Value of Warm Showers When Sick
A warm shower can offer significant, temporary relief from common cold and flu symptoms. The most immediate benefit comes from inhaling warm, moist air, which acts as a natural decongestant. This steam helps thin mucus in the nasal passages and chest, making it easier to clear your sinuses.
The warmth of the water also promotes vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels, which helps relax tense muscles. This effect temporarily eases the body aches and muscle soreness associated with systemic infections. Relieving physical discomfort can improve the overall sense of well-being while managing an illness.
For those experiencing mild fever or chills, a warm shower can assist in gentle temperature regulation. The water provides soothing warmth that can reduce shivering, while subsequent evaporation off the skin after drying can slightly cool the body. This temporary respite helps prepare the body for better quality sleep, which is when most recovery occurs.
Adjusting Your Shower Routine for Illness
To ensure the shower is beneficial and not overly taxing, manage the water temperature carefully. Experts recommend using lukewarm water, ideally between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than scalding hot water. Water that is too hot can increase body temperature excessively, potentially worsening fever symptoms or causing lightheadedness due to dehydration.
Conserve limited energy by keeping the duration short. A shower lasting only five to ten minutes is generally sufficient to achieve therapeutic benefits without causing overexertion. Standing for too long while fighting an infection can quickly lead to exhaustion.
Simple preparation steps maximize safety and comfort. Ensure a towel and warm, loose-fitting clothes are immediately accessible. Drying off quickly and dressing warmly prevents the body from chilling as water evaporates from the skin. Drinking water or an electrolyte solution before and after the shower is recommended to counteract fluid loss from heat and sweating.
Symptoms That Signal You Should Skip the Shower
While generally safe for mild symptoms, showering should be avoided in specific instances where it poses a risk. The most significant concern is the risk of falling if you are experiencing profound fatigue or severe lightheadedness. Standing in a warm, moist environment while weak can lead to dizziness or fainting, making a shower chair or sponge bath a safer alternative.
Forgo showering if you are experiencing a high, spiking fever, generally defined as 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. At this temperature, the body is under significant stress, and a drastic change in temperature may be counterproductive. Additionally, if you are experiencing uncontrollable shivering or severe nausea and vomiting, the effort of a shower may worsen these symptoms. In these situations, a gentle sponge bath in bed allows for necessary hygiene while conserving energy for recovery.