When it comes to maintaining good health, our daily routines and nighttime habits play a crucial role that many of us underestimate. According to medical experts, some seemingly harmless practices we follow before bed could actually be compromising our wellbeing in significant ways.
The Hidden Dangers of Skipping Your Nighttime Shower
Dr Tania Elliott, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and allergist trained at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has identified four common habits that people should avoid for better health. One of the most surprising revelations concerns the practice of skipping nighttime showers.
Showering at night serves a critical purpose beyond just feeling clean. According to Dr Elliott, this daily ritual helps remove the day's accumulation of allergens, viruses, and bacteria from your skin and hair. When you skip this important step, you essentially bring all these contaminants into your bed, where you'll be sleeping on them for hours.
This can lead to increased allergy symptoms and higher infection risk, making nighttime showers an essential practice for maintaining good health rather than just a matter of personal preference.
Other Health Habits You Should Avoid
Never Sleep Directly on Hotel Pillowcases
Hotel stays might feel luxurious, but there's more happening behind the scenes that could affect your skin health. Dr Elliott strongly advises against sleeping directly on hotel pillowcases due to the commercial-grade detergents they typically use.
These harsh detergents can be particularly tough on sensitive skin, potentially causing irritation and other dermatological issues. Instead, the doctor recommends packing your own pillowcase when traveling, preferably one made of silk, which not only feels luxurious but can also help reduce wrinkles.
Avoid Melatonin Supplements
While melatonin has gained popularity as a natural sleep aid, Dr Elliott cautions against its regular use. The supplement can cause several side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
Recent research from the American Heart Association has raised even more concerns. Their study found that long-term use of melatonin supplements is linked to a higher risk of heart failure diagnosis, heart failure hospitalization, and death from any cause. As an allergist, Dr Elliott personally avoids recommending melatonin to her patients.
Never Pull an All-Nighter
In our productivity-obsessed culture, sacrificing sleep for work might seem necessary, but Dr Elliott warns against this practice. While your organization might benefit from your sleep sacrifice, your body will ultimately pay the price.
Quality sleep is incredibly important for overall health and functioning. Accumulating sleep debt can lead to irritability, poor productivity, depression, and increased infection risk. A 2018 study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine published in the journal Sleep confirmed that poor nighttime sleep directly correlates with decreased work productivity in the morning.
The consequences of poor sleep extend beyond just next-day productivity. Recent research from the University of Oregon, published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, found that sleepless nights are linked to increased risks for anxiety, depression, and hypertension later in life.
Making Healthier Choices
These four habits highlighted by Dr Elliott represent common practices that many people don't realize could be negatively impacting their health. By making simple changes such as establishing a consistent nighttime shower routine, bringing your own pillowcase when traveling, avoiding melatonin supplements, and prioritizing adequate sleep, you can significantly improve your overall wellbeing.
Remember that small, consistent habits often have the most substantial impact on long-term health. While skipping a shower occasionally or taking a sleep aid might seem harmless in the moment, the cumulative effect of these choices can substantially affect your quality of life and disease risk over time.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
