Our elders frequently advise us not to bathe after meals. Ayurveda, it turns out, strongly advises against it as well. But there’s more: experts say that certain other bathing habits, which are extremely common, have the potential to affect the digestive system and overall health. “Our bodies work in complex ways, and all of our actions have potential consequences; bathing rituals are certainly one of those,” says dietician Dr Garima Goyal.
Dr Dimple Jangda, an Ayurveda expert, recently took to Instagram to list three things one should always remember when taking a shower. Examine it out!
* Drink a glass of water before showering: According to the expert, drinking a glass of warm or room temperature water before showering can help lower blood pressure-related issues in the body. She explained that “drinking warm water warms your body from the inside,” which causes blood vessels to widen, allowing more blood to flow through them and thus lowering blood pressure. “This causes a similar dilation of the circulatory system on the skin’s surface,” she added.
*Never shower after a full meal: “It weakens the digestive fire, which is a warm energy in your stomach and gut that aids digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients,” according to the expert. She explained that after eating, the body sends blood to the brain.
She explained that after eating, the body sends blood to the digestive system to aid digestion. As a result, she says, taking a shower “distracts this blood flow from the stomach and rushes it instead to the surface of the skin.”
Dr. Garima agreed, stating that taking a shower after a heavy meal can cause cramps, indigestion, or bloating in some cases. “Given these effects, it may be best to take a bath at least an hour after eating.” Taking a bath before a meal, on the other hand, revitalises and energises your body,” she added.
*Also, when taking a shower, use lukewarm water below the heart level to improve blood circulation and room temperature water for your face to protect your sensitive sense organs. Only children, the elderly, and the sick are given slightly hot water.
*Cold water or ice baths are used on occasion, such as when recovering from an injury. An ice bath immediately reduces swelling, aids in the removal of lactic acid from the body, and causes blood vessels to constrict.
*You can also improve your collagen and overall health by performing a full-body oil massage (abhyangam) before showering!
