Showering after exercise is not a good thing, here's what to do according to experts
After a workout, sweating is normal, even if some people may have difficulty depending on their metabolism... But whatever happens, the urge to freshen up in the shower is immediate. However, according to several specialists, it's better to wait before soaping up.
Indeed, reflex isn't so good for your health. When you stop exercising, your body is still in "sport mode," which means your internal temperature is still high, your heart rate is still racing, and you're still sweating to regulate your body temperature. Rushing into the shower interrupts this natural cooling mechanism. As a result, you risk dizziness, discomfort, and even thermal shock if the water is too cold or too hot.
"During a workout, your body temperature and heart rate increase, especially after an intense session,"
Dr. Dal Dhaliwal explained in Stylist UK
. " Jumping straight into the shower afterward risks constricting your dilated blood vessels too quickly."
Often considered a nuisance, sweating actually serves an essential purpose. It expels heat, but also certain toxins produced during exercise. Washing immediately means stopping this detoxification process in its tracks. Hence the importance of giving the body a few minutes to complete this task.
Experts recommend waiting 15 to 20 minutes after the end of the activity. This period of time allows the heart rate and breathing to come down, and the body to regain thermal balance. "This is the time for the body to evacuate all secretions,"
explains Sébastien Assohou, sports coach, in Femme Actuelle
. " As long as the body is still exerting itself, visible by the heart rate and breathing, it is trying to return to a normal temperature."
Once this time has passed, opt for a lukewarm to cool shower. Cold water, in the right amount, helps soothe muscles and improve blood circulation. Water that is too hot, on the other hand, prolongs vasodilation and can increase fatigue.
L'Internaute
