4 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Bathing For Seniors
Sensibly, most of us associate bathing with our need to look and feel clean. It goes without saying that it feels good to exit a warm shower or bath, knowing that we are at our absolute freshest. However, there are many benefits to bathing that far exceed how great we smell once we’re finished. Bathing is also good for your health. For seniors, it’s especially important to bathe regularly – not just for hygiene upkeep – but for overall optimum health.
Here are four wonderful health benefits of bathing for seniors:
1. Bathing Assists With Better Breathing
For many elderly people, respiratory issues are a constant concern. In addition to monitoring physical activity and adhering to required medical prescription instructions, seniors can bathe to improve their breathing. Emma of residential design specialists, Sunrise Specialty reveals that your lung capacity and oxygen will improve if you relax in a bathtub filled with water up to your neck.
“However, it depends on the water pressure on your body,” she explains, “The hotness or coldness of the water also matters. For instance, when warm water makes your heart beat faster, your body takes in more oxygen. It also helps clear your chest and sinuses, which comes as one of the benefits of hot water.”
2. Bathing Improves Mental and Emotional Health
Taking a warm bath doesn’t just improve your physical health. It’s good for the mind as well. How often have you heard someone exclaim that they wish to take a bath in order to ease stress or tension? Sitting in warm and soapy water can work wonders for one’s mental state. Especially when accompanied by soft lighting and music, a bath can greatly improve one’s emotional health.
According to Cleveland Clinic, “some research also shows that a 30-minute bath at 104 Fahrenheit (think the temperature in a hot tub) improves depression. Warm baths are also linked to decreased stress hormones and more balanced serotonin levels, which help regulate mood.”
3. Bathing Helps to Aid Disease Symptoms
Sitting in a bathtub filled with warm water can help your nervous system. The act is known as a go-to solution for easing the pain associated with often-debilitating ailments. As Emma informs us, “special baths can ease the pain linked with multiple sclerosis as the water soothes the spine. Furthermore, the water helps to support weak muscles of the limb, thereby making it an ideal soothing agent for Parkinson’s disease.”
4. Bathing Soothes Muscles and Joints
Who doesn’t love to get into the tub in order to soothe their aching muscles? On the Cleveland Clinic website, Dr. Amy Zack stresses that soaking in warm baths a few times a week is a great way to help with muscle soreness and tension. As most seniors contend with aches and pains on a daily basis, it’s wise for them to maintain a regular bathing routine.
“To kick it up a notch, some add Epsom salts, a naturally occurring mineral salt product,” advises Cleveland Clinic, “Research suggests that Epsom salts help relax muscles and relieve pain. All it takes is 300 grams in a tub full of hot water for 15 minutes to experience the benefits.”
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