It’s a home healthcare headline that screams ‘too good to be true’ to residents of Coronado and elsewhere: “Baths may be better than exercise.”

With some stories, the staff at Accredited Home Care tells people to be careful about believing, that it may not be accurate.

However, in this case, there are actually some elements that shouldn’t be dismissed as fake news at all: a nice, relaxing soak in a tub can actually go a long way in boosting your physical, emotional and mental well-being.

It’s true, certainly, that a bath shouldn’t be substituted as an alternative to brisk physical activity – that still needs to be part of someone’s regular physical routine.

But a bath can also be added as something that adds to quality of life, which is always welcome. It doesn’t have to be solely for hygiene reasons either; a shower can serve this purpose, although Shape magazine says there are all sorts of reasons why a bath is the better choice.

Generally, a bath can be an excellent opportunity to relax and reflect—almost like meditation but with more hot water involved.

Plenty of research

Steve Faulkner, a columnist at Newsweek and a researcher at Loughborough University, compiled a variety of studies, including his own, which back up the value of baths.

His research, along with examining similar studies worldwide, suggested that passive heating from bathing was more beneficial to the body than active heating, which is the kind experienced in exercise, where we warm up and sweat.

For his study, he invited 14 men to either soak in a warm bath for an hour or ride their bicycles for an hour. Either choice was expected to lead to a rise in core body temperature. The study also measured their blood sugar and how many calories were burned for a 24-hour period.

Interestingly, the bath, while passive, did see 140 calories burned, about the same as a 30-minute walk, but blood sugar levels were lower than the group that was bicycling.

Both activities also showed similar anti-inflammatory activity, which is one of the positive results of exercise.

Other research he looked at showed that regular hot baths or sauna use can:

• Reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved circulation
• Lower danger of heart disease
• Better control of blood sugar, especially for those with diabetes
• Better performance from the immune system

Any water works

While much research has focused on the value of a bath in warm or even hot water, other studies have concluded that any kind of immersion can help, including lukewarm water or even cold water. The head is optional, but definitely the core.

Some athletes feel that a short dip in cold water can be invigorating and deliver a healthy boost to their bodies. Some of them follow a ritual of a long hot soak followed by a short cold splash, or start with the cold and go to the warm. Either extreme can be stimulating while your body adjusts – sometimes you may feel a rush of endorphins which are natural chemicals which reduce pain and increase pleasure.

Other research has pointed to other benefits of time spent in any type of water, including better breathing; reduced risk of infection; and more mental stimulation; and relaxation of joints and muscles. The pressure of the water allows people to stretch and have some resistance, but not enough to cause pain.

That’s part of the appeal of water therapy courses or exercise programs that might be available at the local pool. These are especially useful for people who may have difficulties walking, cycling or other traditional activities without pain.

People may even want to combine both types of activities for even more benefit: exercise first, whether in or out water, followed by a soothing soak.

Safety first

Although there’s plenty of evidence about the value of a good bath, some caution is required.

It is possible to shock the body with rapid extremes in temperature, such as something too hot or too cold too quickly. While a quick dip in frigid temperatures could jar the heart, water that’s too hot could cause burns to the skin, either from direct contact with the water or from steam.

A good recommendation is to check the water with a hand or toe, before jumping in.

Beyond temperature, some health providers say that those with certain health conditions should avoid prolonged exposure to hot water. Those with heart conditions or high blood pressure are not recommended to stay in a warm bath too long – it could aggravate these symptoms.

Mixing alcohol and a bath also is discouraged – it could make someone so relaxed they fall asleep and potentially drown.

Seniors or those with balance problems also face other safety risks. A bathtub or shower can be slippery, and bathrooms often have hard surfaces and corners that could further cause damage in the event of a fall.

Sometimes, people may try to support themselves by holding onto a towel rack, which could easily give way if any weight is applied to it.
However, Accredited Home Care can provide options and recommendations available to make bathtime safer, from equipment for baths to home health aides who can assist with some of these tasks.