Most of us relish a steaming hot soak, particularly during the colder months when the weather's got a proper bite to it. But one medical expert has revealed there are actually nine remarkable health perks that come with indulging in hot water baths, including improving your sleep, reducing heart disease risk and elevated mood.

Dr Gift Idahosa, who goes by @drgiftidahosa1on TikTok, routinely dishes out wellness wisdom to her impressive 330,000 followers. Her recent post about the advantages of bathing struck a chord with viewers, garnering hundreds of likes. The clip kicked off with the doctor appearing in her clinical attire as she reeled off the nine advantages of soaking in hot water.

Her list included:

• 'My brother said I don't think I'll be here in two hours and we never spoke again'


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• Reducing the risk of heart disease


• Reducing headaches


• Elevated mood


• Opens pores and cleanses the skin


• Creating a better quality of sleep


• Reducing tiredness


• Relieving nasal congestion


• Relaxing the muscles


• Boosting your immunity and blood circulation

Supporting her assertions, Harvard Health referenced research showing that individuals who bathed nearly daily had a 28% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and a 26% lower stroke risk compared to those who bathed fewer than twice weekly.

Healthline also endorses the assertions that baths diminish cardiovascular disease risk, whilst boosting mood, aiding sleep quality and enhancing blood circulation to the skin.

Additionally, Mayo Clinic advocates applying heat therapy to ease tight neck and shoulder muscles, noting that muscle tension can "trigger tension-type headaches".

This revelation follows another medic's recent guidance on optimal bath temperatures. Bathroom supplier Wholesale Domestic has collaborated with Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Pharmacy to reveal expert advice on creating the ideal bath for maximum relaxation and wellness benefits.

She recommended bath temperatures should range between 36°C and 40°C.

However, she advised that bathing just twice a week is optimal, explaining that excessive washing can "strip natural oils and irritate skin conditions".