Cold Shower Benefits: Why They Are Great For You
Cold showers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason! There are many benefits to taking cold showers, including improved mental health, increased energy levels, and a strengthened immune system.
Here we will discuss the 10 most important benefits of taking cold showers as well as answering some key questions. If you’re on the fence about giving them a try, read on to see why you should make the switch today. Let’s get started!
Why Do People Take Cold Showers?
Even though cold showers sound insane to some, they’re surprisingly common. That’s because in most cases people feel instant benefits. These cold shower benefits can include feeling refreshed and reducing tired muscles, to more medical reasons like improving digestion and helping relieve depression.
This simple act can offer much more than you thought a cold shower would. During their morning routine, many cold shower fans enjoy an icy cold water blast that gets them prepared for the day. The importance and effectiveness of daily routines are highlighted here.
10 Cold Shower Benefits You Need To Know
1. Improved Mental Health
One of the best benefits of taking cold showers is that they can improve your mental health. Exposure to the cold has been shown to boost moods, increase alertness, and reduce stress levels. Many people use hot showers for the same reason but cold water immersion can be even more effective.
In fact, some people even use cold showers as a form of therapy for depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that one of the key health benefits of incorporating cold showers into your routine is that it can help relieve symptoms of depression.
If you love taking hot showers or baths for this reason, then perhaps have a cold shower in the morning and a hot bath at night to get the best of both worlds.
2. Increased Energy Levels
While the mental health benefits of taking a cold shower are less known, the ability to wake you up is what many people associate with cold water. This can be in stark contrast to hot water, which can make you feel sleepy.
Taking cold showers can also help increase your energy levels. When you’re exposed to a low water temperature, your body has to work harder to maintain its internal body temperature, which leads to an increase in adrenaline and energy.
This can be great for those of us who aren’t morning people. If you struggle for productivity in the morning, try some icy water.
3. Strengthened Immune System
Cold showers have also been shown to strengthen the immune system. This is because low temperatures causes the body to produce more white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off infection.
There was a study that showed that those who took cold showers were less likely to take time off work. It seems as though cold water immersion is a good way of tricking the body into producing a range of health benefits.
4. Improved Circulation
Another benefit of taking cold showers is that they can improve your circulation. When you’re in a cold climate, your blood vessels constrict, which forces your heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. This leads to improved circulation, nervous system and a stronger heart.
You would think that having a hot shower would produce these benefits but it appears that the opposite is true. It’s almost as though cold water immersion stops your body from being lazy and kicks it into action. And the cold shower benefits don’t stop there!
5. Improved Skin
Cold showers can also improve your skin health. When under ice cold water, your body produces more oil called sebum, which helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy. In addition, cold water has been shown to reduce inflammation and redness, as well as treat acne breakouts.
There is also another reason that your skin may look healthy due to cold exposure and it’s a reason we’ve just mentioned. That improved circulation will increase blood flow to your face and make you appear healthier.
6. Improved Hair
Cold showers can also improve your hair health. In a cold shower, your scalp becomes stimulated, which leads to an increase in blood flow and improved hair growth. In addition, cold water has been shown to seal the cuticle of the hair shaft, which helps reduce frizz and keep your hair healthy and shiny.
Then there is also the factor of your sebum layer as we talked about how it can improve your skin. A downside to hot showers is that they can dry out this sebum layer and strip away that protection. Cold water keeps that sebum layer hydrated and your hair protected.
7. Improved Digestion
Cold showers can also improve your digestion as when the temperature drops, your digestive system becomes stimulated, which leads to an increase in stomach acid and better digestion. There is also the interaction that cold showers have with brown fat.
A cold shower can promote healthy levels of brown fat which will increase your metabolism. Increased metabolism means that your body is more efficient at burning calories and using energy.
8. Weight Loss
Taking cold showers can also help you lose weight. This is because your body has to work harder to produce heat, which leads to a calorie burn. The increased metabolism we mentioned will also reduce fat storage.
It’s always important to point out that cold showers aren’t going to make you lose weight on their own. When part of a healthy lifestyle, they can play their role in helping you to lose more weight and enjoy the health benefits that come with it.
9. Improved Athletic Performance
Having a cold shower can also improve your athletic performance. When the temperature drops, your body becomes more efficient at conserving energy, which leads to improved performance.
You may have heard of athletes taking an ice bath and there are a few key reasons for this. Cold water is going to give you many of the same benefits which include reducing inflammation and muscle soreness. This allows you to recover more quickly for your next athletic event.
10. Better Sleep
Finally, one of the best benefits of showering in cold water is that it can help you get a better night’s sleep. This is a benefit that is usually associated with hot water but a cold shower can be great for this too.
This is because being in cold temperatures causes the body to produce more melatonin, which is essential for quality sleep. In addition, cold showers have been shown to reduce stress levels, which can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
Cold Shower Benefits FAQs
As you can see, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that taking a cold shower is a great idea. You don't need to take them all the time as sometimes you just want to enjoy the warm water of a bath or a shower.
Many people swear on taking one every day due to the cold shower benefits and there are some great reasons to do so. regular cold showers are going to be very good for you but you can still enjoy warm showers too.
While cold showers offer many benefits, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant, or have diabetes, it's best to speak with your doctor before starting a cold shower routine.
Additionally, if you're just starting out, it's important to slowly work your way up to colder temperatures to avoid any adverse effects. Cold water triggers a shock response which may not be a good idea for certain groups.
There are ways you can counteract this as you don't have to start off with the water at a freezing temperature. Many people like the shock factor as it helps to wake them up but it isn't going to be for everyone.
If you're interested in starting a cold shower routine, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Start by gradually adding colder water to your shower until you're comfortable taking a full cold shower. You don't need to start at the coldest possible temperature to enjoy the many cold shower benefits.
You can also take shorter showers. The ideal length for a cold shower is about three minutes but if you can't manage that long at the start, don't worry. You can also take a break and step out from under the shower head if it's getting to be too much.
If you find that the cold water is too much for you, start by standing under it for a few seconds and then gradually increase the time. You can even gradually turn it back into being a warm shower once you've spent a few minutes under the cold tap.
If you can't take a full cold shower, try ending your shower with cool or cold water. While very cold water is going to give you the best results, you can still get cold shower benefits from cool water.
On the flip side, if you're looking for an extra challenge, try adding ice to your cold shower. This is only going to be for the hardcore cold shower fans who want to take their cold water game to the next level.
While there's no right or wrong answer, most people find that it's best to have cold showers every other day. This gives your body time to recover and prevents any adverse effects from too much exposure.
For others, they love having a cold shower every day. This is because for some it's the ultimate stimulant with instant effects. It helps to wake you up and shake off that grogginess that you have after you just woke up.
While that works for some, there may be other people who couldn't think of anything worse. You can have your cold shower immersion to link with the benefit you're looking for. If you want it to aid in your muscle recovery, then having a cold shower after every hard gym session is a good idea.
Cold showering is incredibly effective for your health and can often be felt within minutes. A few minutes is generally accepted as all the time you need to get the full effect. If you have the water as cold as possible, then there will only be a certain amount of time that you could stand being under the water for.
As you get used to having a cold shower, you'll most likely be able to decrease the temperature and increase the amount of time you'll be under it. For most people, 2-3 minutes should be all you need. If you can't manage that long then don't worry, just build up to it.
Why should you take a cold shower?
An icy shower is beneficial for many body systems. A cold shower is a good way to boost your energy and reduce anxiety. They are also helpful in improving your skin’s appearance, improving your digestion, reducing delayed onset muscle soreness, and boosting your immune system.
While there are a few people out there who like them, most people dread the thought of taking a cold shower. If that sounds like you, then it’s a great idea to just give it a try and see how you feel. You may soon see the benefits and be happy to incorporate them into your weekly or daily routine.
The evidence is clear, cold showers are great for you. It’s time for you to start having them but remember, you don’t need to go full throttle straight away. Start slow and you’ll soon get used to them.
