Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32356
Modified and translated by CFJA
Table of Contents
What Are the Appropriate Bathing Duration and Temperature?
The appropriate bathing duration and temperature vary greatly depending on factors such as a person’s robustness or frailty, season (summer or winter), geographical location (northern or southern regions), and age (elderly or young), making it extremely difficult to specify exact figures. There isn’t enough data to provide a solid backing. However, without any guidelines, it’s hard for patients to visualize, so I will offer my personal opinion based on considerations for those who are frail or not feeling well. Here are suggested temperatures and durations for bathing:
– Healthy individuals with no particular symptoms: 40°C for 5 minutes
– Those feeling physical fatigue: 39°C for 4 minutes
– Those feeling frail: 38°C for 3 minutes
– Those feeling unwell: 38°C for 2 minutes
– Those experiencing significant fatigue: 38°C for 1 minute
– Those with discomfort or minor sensory abnormalities: 38°C for 30 seconds
The ideal time for bathing is in the evening before sunset. Those with robust health who can rest after bathing may extend beyond 5 minutes, but it is better to limit it to about 10 minutes. Bathing after 10 p.m., even for the robust, should be limited to about 3 minutes. In summer, morning baths are less likely to cause health issues, but they are not suitable for those living in air-conditioned environments.
What Is the Ideal Way to Take a Bath?
While there is no one “ideal” way to bathe, after listening to people with health issues for over 40 years, I’ve discerned methods that likely won’t harm health. The human body temperature is 37°C, so you will feel the heat in water at 38°C. At 40°C, the water feels hot initially, but you quickly adapt, and within 30 seconds, it neither feels too hot nor too cool—this is sufficient just to raise your skin temperature and can contribute to improved health. The best time to wash your body is when you neither feel too hot nor too cold upon standing from the bath.
After washing, your skin temperature decreases, so entering the bath again for about 30 seconds brings you back to the same state. If you want to warm your body’s core, staying in the bath for another 2 to 3 minutes is beneficial.
Any longer is purely for mental relaxation. Moderating this time can refresh both mind and body without exhausting physical energy. Those who spend a long time bathing might need to adjust this portion. It’s important to engage in activities like watching TV, using smartphones, or reading after bathing, not during. To summarize these key points:
1. Start by pouring water around 38°C from your feet up towards your body (essential for those with weak hearts).
2. Enter a bath of 38°C to 40°C for about 30 seconds.
3. Wash your body for 5–10 minutes.
4. After washing, re-enter the bath of 38°C to 40°C for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds to 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
5. Finish with a shower of about 33°C water to tighten the skin.
6. Keep the total bathing time to about 15–20 minutes.
7. Include changing time before and after the bath to limit the total time spent undressed to about 30 minutes.
These guidelines are for bathing at home and differ from how you might bathe in a public bathhouse. Even those who feel faint quickly and prefer just a shower might find this method manageable. Remember, these are my personal opinions, but I believe they represent a safe way to bathe without risking your health.
Acupuncture and Blood Stasis(cupping) Therapy are Effective Treatments for Kidney Function Decline
People who can withstand hot temperatures and long bathing durations typically have strong hearts; this method is not suitable for those who are frail. However, over time, the heart can become fatigued, and one of the signs of this fatigue is arrhythmia. As the heart’s function declines, it becomes difficult to supply sufficient blood to the kidneys, the organs that, after the brain, require the most blood, leading to decreased kidney function.
When the heart’s function deteriorates, symptoms may include:
1. A feeling of discomfort in the chest
2. A feeling of constriction in the chest
3. A feeling of constriction in the throat
4. Palpitations
5. A feeling of heaviness in the back
If you experience severe pain in the shoulders, chest, or upper stomach area, it is important to consult a specialist immediately.
As kidney function declines, symptoms may include:
1. A feeling of lethargy
2. Increased fatigue
3. Heaviness at the back of the neck
4. Tinnitus
5. Deterioration in hearing
6. A blocked feeling in the ears
7. A quick sensation of fullness after eating, leading to a decrease in food intake
8. Weakness in the knee joints
9. Frequent urinary tract infections
If you experience back pain or pain during urination, consult a specialist immediately.
For those who wish to avoid pharmaceutical treatment, consider consulting with a nearby acupuncture clinic or a medical institution with acupuncturists on staff, and explore acupuncture treatment (both internal and external treatments). Acupuncture and blood stasis therapy can help improve the function of the heart and kidneys.
For those looking to sweat, yoga is recommended. It’s beneficial for health management and can be an effective practice along with exercise methods, breathing techniques, and meditation.”
Is it really good for your body to warm up with long baths? 01