Why should I avoid showering after a workout?

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Why should I avoid showering after a workout?
Thanks for asking.
This week on Do you really know? We commit to helping you get fit. Tune in for answers to exercise related questions and practical advice on how to stay healthy and in shape.
After an intense and sweaty workout, the first thing most of us want to do is jump into the shower to relax our muscles and wash off the sweat. However, that's not actually the best idea. Showering too soon after a workout can have harmful effects on our health. Really? Like what? When you work up a sweat, your heart rate accelerates and blood circulation increases. At the end of a workout, your body temperature can easily end up upwards of 37 degrees. If you then immediately hop in the shower, you're not giving your body time to recover and get back to its normal temperature. There can be an impact on blood pressure, as you may contract your dilated blood vessels too quickly.
There's even a risk of thermal shock if the shower is too cold. It's really important to wait for the heart rate and body temperature to return to normal before taking a shower. The ideal waiting time varies from person to person, but 20 to 30 minutes is a good rough guideline. The main thing is that your body has to stop sweating first. So enjoy that post-workout endorphin high while it lasts, rehydrate by drinking plenty of water, and maybe spend the time transitioning to a gentler exercise or stretching routine. While how long you wait might vary, there are some important practices to follow when you do get around to your post-workout shower. Using soap is one of them. When you sweat, your body brings impurities and toxins to the surface of your skin. So you absolutely must use soap and scrub to get rid of these. Is it better to take a hot or cold shower? There are pros and cons to both. It mostly comes down to personal preference and needs. A lot of people aren't aware of the benefits of each type, so let's get into them. Some of the key benefits of taking a hot shower include helping with muscle relaxation, opening up the pores of your skin to clean out trapped dirt and oil, and providing relief when you have a cold. That's because a hot shower helps with opening up the airways and clearing out the nasal passages. Meanwhile, the benefits of a cold shower include calming itchy skin, boosting blood circulation, waking you up and helping with muscle soreness. Taking a cold shower isn't the best thing to do if you're already feeling cold. For example, if it's winter and you're feeling under the weather.
There you have it.
Now you know why you should avoid showering after a workout. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.

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