This study evaluated the biological response to stretching after hand bathing. Twenty-three healthy adults were divided into cooling and non-cooling groups. Experiment 1: the effects of hand bathing were examined. Experiment 2: hand bathing was performed after stretching and combined effects were examined. Autonomic evaluation consisted of electrocardiographic and thermographic skin surface temperature measurements. Heart rate variability analysis after hand bathing with stretching was significantly higher in the cooling group than the non-cooling group. The combination of stretching and hand bathing may maintain skin surface temperature in the cooling group compared to the non-cooling group.