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Introduction

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Read

1 Do you need an energising blast of water in the morning to wake you up for the day? Or do you prefer a relaxing, warm shower in the evening to help you wind down as part of your nighttime routine? Maybe you just shower whenever you feel like it. For something so many of us do, this topic is boundto divide opinion and stir up passion from both sides. But is one really better than the other?

2 After a long day in the outside world, picking up pollutants and allergens on your skin and in your hair such as dust and pollen, a reasonable instinct would be to wash it all off before getting into bed. That's what the evening shower enthusiasts would say. But, says microbiologist Primrose Freestone, no matter the air temperature, you will continue to sweat during the night. Bacteria on your skin then eat the nutrients in your sweat which is what causes BO. Showering at night also doesn't stop you shedding dead skin cells. All this means you may not wake up feeling as fresh as you had hoped. Showering in the morning, on the other hand, can help to remove dead skin cells, sweat or any bacteria you've picked up from your bed sheets. "As a microbiologist, I am a day shower advocate," she says.

3 But it's not all about cleanliness. Nancy Rothstein, who calls herself The Sleep Ambassador, is concerned with sleep quality. In her view, showering in the evening is an essential part of the 'preparing for bed' routine. "Call it an opportunity to shower yourself with mindfulness," she says. And research backs this up. A systematic review of research published in Sleep Medicine Reviews in 2019 found nightly warm showering or bathing one to two hours before bedtime can improve sleep.

4 What it all boils down to is when you would like to feel freshest. If you're someone who can't fully relax in bed until you've showered, you're likely an evening shower person. Whereas, if you can't stand the idea of putting on fresh, clean clothes in the morning when you haven't showered, then a morning rinse is probably more your style. Whenever you choose to shower, Primrose Freestone says it's important to clean your bed sheets regularly to remove all the sweat, bacteria and dead skin cells that build up and can negatively affect the effectiveness of your showers.

Questions

1. Read the article and answer the question.

Which paragraph is about the pros of a morning shower?

2. Choose the correct option based on the content of the article.

1. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase 'For something so many of us do' refer to?

a. waking up
b. going to sleep
c. showering

2. What is the argument given in paragraph 2 for showering in the evening?

a. washing off dead skin cells
b. washing off sweat
c. washing off pollutants and allergens

3. Primrose Freestone thinks showering in the evening is better.

a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. Research supports Nancy Rothstein's view.

a. True
b. False
c. Not given

5. Whether you choose to shower in the morning or evening, it's important to…

a. practise mindfulness.
b. wear fresh, clean clothes.
c. clean your bed sheets regularly.

3. Use the words from the list to complete the summary of the article.

Spending the day outside of the house means you're 1) ________ pick up pollutants and allergens on your skin. If you 2) ________ going to bed feeling dirty, that probably means you're an evening shower 3) ________. Whereas, if you're a morning shower person, you probably enjoy rinsing off the 4) ________ from the night before. What it all 5) ________ is the person's individual preferences and routines.

bound to
boils down to
sweat
shed
rinse
can't stand

Vocabulary

blast
a sudden, strong burst of something e.g. water

wind down
relax after a period of excitement or stress

bound to
very likely to happen

stir up
cause

enthusiast
a person who is very interested in a particular subject or activity

shed
to lose hair, leaves or skin

sweat
salty liquid that comes out of your skin when you are hot

boils down to
reduce to the most important point

can't stand
hate

rinse
wash something with clean water to remove something, often soap

Answers

1. Read the article and answer the question.

Paragraph 2. Showering in the morning, on the other hand, can help to remove dead skin cells, sweat or any bacteria you've picked up from your bed sheets.

2. Choose the correct option based on the content of the article.

1. c. Showering.Waking up and going to sleep are mentioned, but showering is the main topic.

2. c.After a long day in the outside world, picking up pollutants and allergens on your skin and in your hair such as dust and pollen, a reasonable instinct would be to wash it all off before getting into bed.

3. b. False."As a microbiologist, I am a day shower advocate," says Primrose Freestone.

4. a. True.And research backs this up. A systematic review of research published in Sleep Medicine Reviews in 2019 found nightly warm showering or bathing one-two hours before bedtime can improve sleep.

5. c.Whenever you choose to shower, Primrose Freestone says it's important to clean your bed sheets regularly…

3. Use the words from the list to complete the summary of the article.

Spending the day outside of the house means you're bound to pick up pollutants and allergens on your skin. If you can't stand going to bed feeling dirty, that probably means you're an evening shower enthusiast. Whereas, if you're a morning shower person, you probably enjoy rinsing off the sweat from the night before. What it all boils down to is the person's individual preferences and routines.

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