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Heatwave Shocker: Cold Showers Could Make You Hotter
27 Jun
Summary
- Cold showers may worsen body heat due to vasoconstriction.
- Lukewarm showers are advised to cool down gradually.
- Met Office warns against sun exposure during peak hours.
Brits are being advised to reconsider taking cold showers during the ongoing heatwave, as experts suggest it could have the opposite effect. A severe red heat warning has been issued by the Met Office for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures nearing 40C.
Brian Toward, CEO of Wholesale Domestic, explained that while a cold shower might seem logical, it can cause vasoconstriction. This process constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin and impairing the body's natural ability to release heat, potentially making one feel warmer afterward.
Instead of icy rinses, experts recommend lukewarm or mildly cool showers and baths. This approach helps lower body temperature gradually without triggering the body's heat-retaining mechanisms. The Met Office further advises staying hydrated and seeking shade, particularly between 11 am and 3 pm.
