Showering can be a refreshing way to start the day or a soothing way to end one. Around 42% of Americans prefer to shower in the morning, according to a 2022 SleepFoundation.org survey, while about 38% wait until the evening. Still, some people don’t stick to a routine, and the question of whether it’s better to shower in the morning or evening is more nuanced than it seems. 

Experts agree there is no universally “wrong” time to shower. Instead, the best choice depends on your lifestyle, skin type, and personal preferences. Here’s what to consider when deciding what works best for you.

The Benefits of Morning Showers

One of the strongest arguments for morning showers is that they’re mood boosters, helping you shake off grogginess and mentally prepare for the day ahead. Self-care rituals, such as showering, may improve mental health by reducing stress or anxiety. Not only is warm water relaxing, but it also improves circulation, helping the brain function by delivering more oxygen. This can reduce brain fog and increase concentration and motivation.

Hygiene is another factor. Your bed may look clean, but your sheets harbor bacteria, dirt, and grime that accumulate over time. Moreover, sweat and skin cells also collect while you sleep. According to the Cleveland Clinic, your body sheds up to 40,000 old skin cells daily.

Dust mites — microscopic organisms that live in warm, humid environments, such as bedding — feed on those flakes of dead skin, triggering allergy flare-ups in some individuals. A morning shower helps rinse away lingering mites and debris, reducing allergic reactions.

Morning showers may also help you have a better hair day. The scalp continuously produces oil, which can leave hair feeling greasy and exacerbate bedhead as hair becomes matted while sleeping. Showering in the morning reduces oil, debris, and pesky cowlicks, leaving you ready to start the day with a fresh ’do.

If you have oily skin or hair that’s prone to matting, or you tend to overheat while you sleep, showering in the morning may be the most practical choice before heading to work or social settings.

The Benefits of Evening Showers

Proponents of evening showers, on the other hand, say it’s the best way to wind down at the end of the day and transition into rest. Not only is the ritual of evening showering relaxing, but there’s science behind how it gets your body ready to sleep.

Research suggests that showering one to two hours before bed may help you fall asleep faster. This is because warm water directs blood flow away from the body’s core and to the hands and feet, helping you cool down and prepare for sleep. Warm showers can also help soothe sore muscles and stiff joints, reducing pain before bedtime and supporting better z’s.

In addition to providing comfort and relaxation, evening showers have clear hygiene benefits (just like morning showers). Showering at night rinses off the day’s dirt and pollutants, from sweat and bacteria to allergens and environmental debris. Going to bed with clean skin also prevents the transfer of debris to bedding, reducing bacterial buildup and allergens to maintain a healthier sleep environment.

This evening routine can be especially important for people with active lifestyles or certain occupations. For example, those who exercise in the evening, work in outdoor environments, or have high-exposure occupations (such as those in medical fields) may benefit from washing off sweat, dirt, bacteria, and irritants before bed. Skipping a nighttime shower in these cases may trigger allergies or skin irritation, including clogged pores and breakouts.

Even for those who prefer morning showers, washing your face at night remains important to remove makeup, oil, and daily buildup that can affect skin health. For those who suffer from allergies, have outdoor jobs, or are in frequent contact with germs, showering at night may be the best option.

The Verdict

While there are clear benefits to showering at any time of day, the best choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle and daily routine. Some prefer a shower to get energized for the day, while others enjoy the relaxation of an evening shower. Some people even benefit from a combination, such as a quick rinse in the morning and a full shower at night. No matter which option you choose, you’re gaining important hygiene benefits. 

It’s important to note that dirt, grime, sweat, and skin cells will inevitably build up on bedding no matter what time of day you choose to bathe — so, along with showering, it’s equally important to wash your bedding frequently to promote good hygiene. Together, these habits maintain a happy and healthy sleep environment.

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Most of us feel we make it through each day as upstanding citizens. Picking up our trash, holding the door, and saying “hello” on the street are markers of a polite person. However, a playback reel could reveal something surprising and, to some, horrifying: We’re all rude! That’s right — we can be impolite sometimes, even when trying our best not to be. 

Whether due to excitement, distraction, or frustration, sometimes our best efforts slip and give way to less-than-impressive behavior. Do your good manners go out the window in these daily situations? Etiquette plays a significant role in building and maintaining relationships, so working on self-awareness is worth the effort. Here’s what etiquette experts say about the most common rude habits you don’t realize you’re doing.

Skipping Introductions

If you know that two or more people are meeting each other for the first time, initiate an introduction for them. For example, if you run into an old friend while dining out, introduce them to the rest of your table before continuing your conversation. Your friend will feel more welcome, and it encourages everyone else to participate in your discussion. If you’ve forgotten someone’s name but still need to introduce them, introduce them as “my friend.”

Showing Up Empty Handed

Anytime someone invites you to their home, you should have a gift for the host. It shows appreciation for the cooking, cleaning, decorating, and planning that the host gladly made time for. The gift depends on the occasion, but it doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It can be a bouquet, a bottle of wine, or a batch of homemade cookies. Even a personalized “thank you” card goes a long way. However, don’t bring food to be served during the meal unless you’re explicitly asked to.

Using Speakerphone in Public

Just because you’re enthralled in your conversation doesn’t mean the entire room is. Whether in a waiting room, workplace, or home with other family members, keeping your call to yourself is polite. If you simply can’t stand holding the phone to your ear, invest in some headphones.

Texting While Walking

Are you even living in the 21st century if you aren’t guilty of this occasionally? Walking with your head buried in your phone screen is not only rude; it’s dangerous. You could miss cars, bicyclists, strollers, and dogs — all of which must swerve around you to avoid a collision.

Checking Your Phone While Driving

Checking your phone at traffic lights or stop signs while driving is also discourteous. It can hold up traffic behind you and is potentially dangerous. Moreover, using a handheld device while driving is now illegal in some states.

Forgetting “Please” and “Thank You”

“Please” and “thank you” are ingrained in us at a young age, but those seem to go out the window when ordering food. Instead of just asking, “Can I get a number five meal?” or “I’d like the Caesar salad,” add a “please.” After ordering and receiving your meal, remember to thank the waitstaff. You likely didn’t realize you missed these pleasantries, but the service provider on the other end probably noticed.

Using Your Cell Phone While Ordering

This happens mainly at counter service locations, and we get it — lunch breaks are short, and often, they’re prime time for taking personal calls. However, talking on the phone while ordering or paying for your food (or at any counter, for that matter) is rude. The cashier deserves your full attention, and you might accidentally hold up the line. If your phone rings while dining at a restaurant, excuse yourself from the table and take the call in the lobby or outside.

Not Tipping Enough

Tipping is undoubtedly confusing. When in doubt, tip at least 20 percent if someone is preparing and serving your meal. For takeout, you might get away with tipping a little less because you aren’t getting dine-in service, but remember, restaurant workers count on these tips for their livelihood. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of tipping rules you didn’t know you were breaking.

Wearing Too Much Perfume

Some individuals are sensitive to certain smells, and sitting next to someone doused in half a bottle of perfume can be downright painful. It can trigger a migraine, itchy eyes, nausea, and other unpleasant symptoms. Avoid causing any problems by wearing just a few dabs of a light daytime perfume or cologne and save bolder scents for a night out — you’ll also save money by using less of your fragrance stash.