Taking a warm shower at night might be better than a morning one—not just for hygiene, but for your health and sleep, too.

A nighttime shower helps you relax and fall asleep faster. “A warm shower helps lower your body temperature, signaling to your brain that it’s time to rest,” which can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep by up to 10 minutes. The warmth also relaxes your muscles and may prevent leg cramps during the night.

Your skin and hair benefit, too. Washing off dirt, bacteria, and allergens before bed “supports its overnight regeneration process.” Plus, air-drying your hair overnight avoids heat damage and helps keep it shiny and healthy.

For people with allergies, evening showers wash away pollen and dust that build up throughout the day. This can “significantly reduce nighttime allergy symptoms” and help you breathe more easily at night.

Even cool showers have benefits—they can control body odor and reduce night sweats.

If you’re used to morning showers, consider switching to evening ones to relax, sleep better, and support overall wellness.