As the UK braces for near 40°C temperatures, experts are cautioning against taking cold showers to cool down, warning that they may actually leave you feeling warmer.
Why Cold Showers Can Be Counterproductive
Brian Toward, CEO of Wholesale Domestic, explains that while a cold shower may seem refreshing, it can trigger vasoconstriction—the narrowing of blood vessels—which reduces blood flow to the skin and hampers the body's natural heat release. In some cases, the body may work harder to retain heat, leading to a net warming effect.
"When you're exposed to very cold water, your blood vessels constrict... This reduces blood flow to the skin, which is where your body naturally releases heat," Toward said. He added that an extremely cold shower can trick the body into thinking it's too cold, causing it to conserve heat and leaving you feeling warmer for longer.
Recommended Shower Temperature
Toward advises taking a lukewarm or mildly cool shower instead, which helps lower body temperature gradually without confusing the body. "The same principle applies to baths, where a lukewarm soak will be far more effective than a cold one," he noted.
Met Office Heatwave Advice
The Met Office has issued a rare severe red heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday. Their guidance includes staying hydrated, avoiding sun exposure between 11am and 3pm, and keeping curtains closed in sun-facing rooms. They also recommend taking water if going out, staying in the shade, and wearing sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.
