How long after evening exercise should one wait before taking a shower?
Nov 20, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Generally, you can take a shower about 30 minutes after exercising in the evening. After evening exercise, blood circulation is rapid, sweating is heavy, and pores are open. Taking a shower immediately at this time may lead to excessive temperature differences and sudden shifts between hot and cold, which could cause the body to catch a chill, resulting in illnesses such as colds or fever. It may also lead to insufficient blood supply to the brain, increased burden on the heart, and symptoms such as general weakness, dizziness, chest tightness, or fainting.
Generally, you can take a shower about 30 minutes after exercising in the evening.
After evening exercise, various bodily functions usually require some time to return to normal. Due to accelerated blood circulation and heavy sweating during exercise, pores remain open and body temperature stays higher than usual as sweat continues to be released. Taking a shower immediately afterward may expose the body to significant temperature differences; this sudden shift between heat and cold could lead to chilling, potentially causing illnesses such as colds or fever, and might also result in clogged pores or insufficient blood supply to the brain. Additionally, heart rate remains elevated after exercise, increasing the speed of blood flow. If you shower immediately after evening exercise, especially in an environment with insufficient oxygen or excessively high temperatures, it may overburden the heart and cause symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, chest tightness, or even fainting. Typically, after resting for about 30 minutes, blood distribution returns close to pre-exercise levels, making it generally safe to shower without discomfort.
After evening exercise, it's advisable to wait until your heart rate has stabilized and blood circulation has returned to normal before showering. Also, avoid using water that is too cold or too hot to prevent stimulating capillary constriction.
