Everyone can appreciate a nice shower. In the morning, it helps us get the day started; after a long day, it helps us relax. In addition, it is important for maintaining good hygiene. However, which is better for our health—a hot shower or a cold shower? Let’s consider the benefits of each.
Hot showers are great for sore muscles and joints. The high temperature also helps clear nasal passages for easier breathing. Hot water causes the pores on our skin to open, which allows for a deeper clean. Furthermore, hot showers help people feel comfortable and relieve stress. However, hot showers may be harmful to people with sensitive skin. Taking hot showers makes the outer layer of skin dry out easily. This can cause itchiness and irritate sensitive skin.
As for cold showers, they may actually be better for physical health than hot showers. That’s because the cold water gives the body a slight shock, so the heart works harder to maintain body temperature. This encourages more oxygen intake and increases blood circulation. This extra activity can help lift one’s mood and help people feel positive about their day. Lastly, cold water helps the body retain moisture, which creates younger-looking skin and healthier hair. However, cold showers are not good for people who are sick since the cold temperatures might be too hard on the immune system.
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So which is better? For a daily routine to maintain physical fitness, cold showers seem to be the better choice. However, when you need a really deep clean, go for hot showers. To get the best benefits of both, try taking cold showers in the mornings, which will help keep the mind alert. Then in the evenings, enjoy a steamy hot shower. This will help you fall asleep feeling fresh and relaxed.
每個人都喜歡好好洗個澡。早晨的淋浴幫我們為一天揭開序幕；經過漫長的一天之後，它有助我們放鬆。此外，洗澡對於保持良好衛生是很重要的。然而，熱水澡或冷水澡──哪一種方式更有益我們的健康呢？就讓我們來想想它們各自的好處吧。
熱水澡對痠痛的肌肉與關節非常好。高溫也幫助疏通鼻道，讓呼吸更順暢。熱水也能使我們皮膚上的毛孔張開，因而能達到更深層的清潔。此外，熱水澡能讓人們感到舒適，也能紓壓。然而，熱水澡可能對有敏感性肌膚的人不利。洗熱水澡讓皮膚表層容易變得乾燥。這可能會使皮膚發癢並刺激敏感的皮膚。
至於冷水澡，它們就生理健康而言其實比熱水澡更好。那是因為冷水給身體一陣輕微的刺激，因此心臟為了維持體溫會更努力運作。這促進更高的氧氣攝取量並增進血液循環。這樣額外的生理活動有助於提振心情，幫助人們對他們的一天感到正面積極。最後，冷水澡有助身體保溼，造就看起來更年輕的肌膚與更健康的髮質。然而，冷水澡對生病的人不好，因為低溫可能會危害身體的免疫系統。
那麼，哪個比較好呢？就維持體能的日常作息而言，冷水澡似乎是比較好的選擇。然而，當你需要非常深層的清潔時，選擇洗熱水澡。兩種好處都想要的話，試著在早上洗冷水澡，能讓頭腦保持清醒。接著在傍晚，享受一場蒸氣瀰漫的熱水澡。這能讓你帶著煥然一新和放鬆的感受進入夢鄉。
What Did You Learn?
1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
(A) Shower temperatures play a role in our health.
(B) Low water temperature can increase blood circulation and oxygen intake.
(C) Hot showers have more positive effects on physical health than cold ones.
(D) Hot showers help open pores and make it easier for dirt to be cleaned out.
2. What can be inferred from the passage?
(A) Hot showers have a calming effect on skin conditions.
(B) Cold showers keep the mind sharp and lift the mood.
(C) Hot showers might be bad for people with low body temperatures.
(D) Cold showers make the hair glow but remove water from the skin.
答案: 1. (C) 2. (B)
Word in Use
1. appreciate vt. 欣賞
The class was designed to help us appreciate art.
這門課的設計是要幫助我們欣賞藝術。
2. relax vi. 放鬆
On weekends, I like to relax by listening to music or watching movies.
週末時，我喜歡聽音樂或看電影來放鬆一下。
3. benefit n. 好處
The discovery of oil brought many benefits to the small town.
石油的發現為這個小鎮帶來許多好處。
4. temperature n. 溫度
A greenhouse provides plants with constant temperatures.
溫室提供了植物恆定的溫度。
5. breathe vi. 呼吸（本文為動名詞用法）
The room is so stuffy that I can hardly breathe.
這個房間裡悶到我幾乎無法呼吸。
Practical Phrases
1. allow for. . . 使…發生／成為可能
The new policy would allow for better financial aid for those who are in need.
新政策讓需要幫助的人能取得更好的經濟協助。
2. be harmful to. . . 對…有害
Drinking too much coffee a day can be harmful to your health.
一天喝太多咖啡可能有害健康。
3. dry out 逐漸變乾
The children left their wet shirts on the rocks to dry out as they played in the stream.
孩子們在溪裡玩耍時，把溼衣服放在石頭上等它們乾。
4. be hard on sb sth 對某人很嚴苛／對某物有害
Don’t be so hard on Jimmy. After all, he’s just a child.
別對吉米太嚴苛了。畢竟他只是個小孩。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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