Showering, especially at night or with excessively hot or cold water, can disrupt the body's natural rhythms, negatively impacting health. Excessively cold water can cause a sudden drop in body temperature, leading to constriction of arteries and veins, increasing pressure on the cardiovascular system, and raising the risk of stroke. Excessively hot water also puts pressure on the cardiovascular system due to sudden vasodilation.

Showering immediately after strenuous work or exercise further increases the risk of arrhythmia and high blood pressure, which can lead to cerebral hemorrhage or stroke due to blood clots forming in the arteries.

Doctor Phan Thai Tan, a weight loss and wellness coach, recommends the "2 Don'ts - 2 Dos" rule for showering to prevent stroke:

Two Don'ts:

- Don't start showering the moment you enter the bathroom. Instead of immediately pouring water or turning on the shower, gently pat your entire body with your hands (with enough force to make the skin slightly tingle). This helps maintain blood circulation, prevents blockage of acupuncture points, and regulates body temperature. The principle is "pat if hot, rub if cold".

- Don't pour water directly onto your head at the beginning of your shower. This can cause sudden temperature changes, leading to headaches, sinusitis, and an increased risk of stroke. This is especially important during hot weather, after being in an air-conditioned room all day, or after coming in from the hot sun.

Instead, pour water over your body from far to near, and from low to high: Start by washing your hands and feet, then your face, and shower from the neck down first. This allows your body to adjust to the water temperature for a short period (about 1-2 minutes) before washing your hair. Those who only wash their hair should also get into the habit of washing their hands, feet, and face before pouring water over their head.

Two Dos:

- Use a soft loofah to scrub your entire body dry. This removes dead skin cells, enhances lymphatic and circulatory system activity, and promotes good blood flow.

- Massage your scalp with your fingertips and gently pull your hair to create slight tension at the roots. Use the fleshy part of your fingertips, not your nails.

Experts recommend showering before 8 PM for a duration of no more than 10 minutes for safety. The water temperature should not be too hot, which can strip the skin of its natural oils, nor too cold, which can cause vasoconstriction and negatively affect circulation. A temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius is ideal.

Avoid showering when excessively hungry or full, intoxicated, fatigued, or immediately after waking up. Don't shower in excessively cold or drafty areas.

Dry your body and hair thoroughly and dress warmly after showering. Avoid showering immediately after strenuous activity, as this can cause sudden changes in body temperature.

If you must shower in the evening, do so in a safe environment, such as a draft-free area. Most cases of sudden death during showering occur when people are home alone.

If you experience any signs of a potential stroke, including loss of balance, headache, dizziness, blurred vision; facial drooping on one side; numbness or weakness in one arm or leg; or difficulty speaking, seek immediate medical attention. The golden hour for stroke intervention is 4-6 hours from the onset of symptoms.

Thuy Quynh