The perfect bath length: 22 minutes for restful sleep

There is no more enjoyable treat than a long, hot bath at the end of a stressful day, surrounded by your favorite soaps, rubber ducks, and scented candles. However, it turns out that indulging in lengthy baths can be harmful to your health. Fortunately, Victorian Plumbing has conducted research to determine the ideal duration for a rejuvenating bath, ensuring a restful night's sleep. In this study, 20 participants, consisting of 10 men and 10 women, took baths of varying lengths and rated their post-bathing experience based on various factors.

The findings of the study revealed that the optimal duration for a bath, to achieve a state of relaxation and tranquility before sleep, is 22 minutes.

Interestingly, the study also discovered slight differences between the effects of baths on men and women. Women reported experiencing better sleep after a longer bath, lasting approximately 30 minutes, while men achieved improved sleep quality after soaking for just 19 minutes.

Moreover, participants who felt the most relaxed during their bath were those who scrolled through their phones, while those who watched TV reported feeling the least relaxed.

While the study indicates that baths can have similar benefits to exercise when it comes to sleep, dermatologists offer a word of caution. Dr. Stacey Cimento advises limiting bathing time to 15 minutes, as anything longer may strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to inflammation and irritation.

According to dermatologist Lawrence Meyer, soaking in the tub does hydrate the skin, but only during a brief duration. Skin can absorb water, but there is a limit. Prolonged exposure to hot water will result in the absorbed water leaving the body, resulting in dry skin. However, if you exit the bath at the right time and apply cream or oil, the absorbed water will be locked in your skin.

Determining the exact point at which the skin begins releasing water instead of retaining it is not yet clear. While experts generally agree that a bath lasting between 10 and 30 minutes is ideal, no definitive scientific studies have provided a concrete answer.

An article on safetybathtubs suggests that after 15 minutes in the bath, the skin usually starts to wrinkle, indicating that it is time to exit the tub.