It's a question that many of us ask ourselves - should I shower before bed, or first thing when you wake up? To help, a leading mattress expert has shed light on the matter, revealing that one of these showering habits could contribute to the spread of harmful bacteria such as E. Coli.
Previous studies have indicated that 41.8 percent of people prefer to wash first thing in the morning, while less than one in four opt for a shower before hitting the hay. But it seems many of us might have been getting it wrong...
Opting for a morning shower instead of a shower before bed, according to MattressNextDay, means we're essentially "sleeping with" dangerous bacteria. They explain that choosing to shower at night means you climb into bed clean however by waiting until the morning to shower, sweat accumulates overnight, fostering an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Research has pointed out that E. Coli can reside in mattresses, surviving on surfaces for months - and the older your mattress, the greater the risk. E.Coli is notorious for causing issues ranging from diarrhoea and food poisoning to severe illnesses like pneumonia.
People who work in offices need to be cautious as when you are in your building, your skin gathers vast amounts of bacteria and airborne pollutants throughout the day, which remain until they're washed away. Hence, if you shower in the morning, you're likely transferring all that filth onto your bed as you sleep.
Moreover, showering at night isn't just about cleanliness; it's also been shown to enhance the quality of your sleep, the experts say. The transition from a warm shower to a cool room can cause your body temperature to drop - and since your body temperature naturally decreases when you fall asleep, this change in temperature allows your body to receive signals that it's ready for sleep much quicker.
To further enhance sleep, consider using a lavender-scented shower gel to prepare for sleep. Lavender contains calming chemical components, which can reduce restlessness and agitation, aiding in sleep.
Not only should you be aware of the best time to shower, you should also know where to place - and not to place - your towel. Regardless of whether you shower in the morning or at night, its placement matters.
The experts further caution that whilst it's tempting to leave your towel on your bed after showering, this habit can create an environment conducive to dust mites and other bacteria.
One bacterium that can particularly thrive is Staphylococcus aureus. While it is especially prevalent on pillowcases, it can be found anywhere on your bed.
Over a third of the world's population carries this bacterium, but if it enters your bloodstream it can be life-threatening - which is why it's crucial to minimise any habits that promote its spread.
To prevent this, make sure you hang your towel in the bathroom and wash each towel at least every three uses. With up to 250 thousand types of bacteria lurking on your towel after just one use, a number that increases to 650 million after just one week.
