The benefits of a cold shower (no jokes please!) are immeasurable and I can honestly say cold water cured me of a dreaded cold the morning of my wedding!
I had been suffering with a runny nose, feeling miserable and lacking in energy. A combination of stress, December storms and the excitement of the event. We had arranged to go for a swim on the morning of the wedding, braving the late December weather and icy cold waters. Lots of people advised against it, saying I would 'Catch my Death' but something was telling me to do it!
I now know exactly how it cured me. Want to know too? Keep reading.
How to take a cold shower:
- Turn the water on, set to cold. It doesn’t have to be ice cold, just cold.
- Feet first. Your feet will adjust to the temperature fastest so get them under the spray and work your lower body under the water as quickly as you can. By the time the water is splashing your stomach you’ll be looking for a distraction so…
- Hands second. Get your hands and arms wet, then splash water over your torso. By now your legs and front should be thoroughly wet.
- Head under! You’re going to be be breathing heavily and involuntarily so be careful not to inhale any water through your nose or mouth.
- Back last. Millions of nerve fibres are routed through your spine so getting your back wet is the hardest part. You’re going to feel a lot of sensations, almost an electrical charge crackling up and down your back. Get this wet last and try and spend as much time with the nozzle directed at the spine.
Why to take a cold shower:
1. It improves your immunity and circulation. Running cold water over your body at the end of a shower can improve circulation as blood is sent throughout your arteries to surround your organs. It can be viewed in the same way we run certain systems at high performance every so often to keep it maintained and well oiled. Increased blood flow can also help certain skin and heart issues as well as lower blood pressure, help clear blocked arteries and improve our immune system.
2. Eases stress & depression. Cold showers have also been shown to help decrease stress levels. One study found that exposure to cold helped decrease uric acid levels and increase glutathione, an antioxidant considered to be one of the most important for a healthy body. The participants swam regularly in ice-cold water during the winter months and it was found that they adapted to repeated oxidative stress. Another study found that cold hydrotherapy (i.e. cold showers) helped to improve moods and had an anti-depressive effect with no bad side effects or creation of dependency. Subjects were tested with one to two cold showers at 38 degrees Fahrenheit that were two to three minutes long. These were followed by a five-minute gradual adaptation to make the procedure less shocking. (see the link here for references to these scientific studies).
3. Speeds up muscle soreness and recovery. A study conducted in 2009 found that people who rested or immersed themselves in cold water after their exercise saw a decrease in onset muscle soreness caused by resistance training, cycling or running. It was found that a 24 minute bath in water with temperatures around 10 – 15 degrees celsius (50F – 59F) was most effective. Taking a cold shower after your workouts would still have a positive effect on muscle soreness as well. The longer you go the greater the benefit. Research also believe that alternating hot and cold at the end of a shower after a workout may help reduce pain and speed recovery by decreasing blood lactate concentration. (see the link here for references to these scientific studies).
4. Improves hair and skin conditions. Hot water can dry out your skin and hair. Of course, it doesn’t help that there are high levels of chlorine coming out of our showers which has a drying-out effect on skin and hair as well. If you can run your shower colder or finish cold at the end, it’s a natural way to keep your skin and hair from drying out as cold water tightens cuticles and pores. This helps to prevent natural oils on the scalp and skin to be stripped away so easily. By keeping a proper oil balance you will have soft, shiny natural looking hair. This also helps to keep the skin and scalp cleaner as well.
5. Increased energy and cleansing breath: To combat the stress and shock your body goes through something called vasoconstriction occurs. Your blood vessels constrict pushing blood out of your muscles and extremities and into your core. You breathe more deeply during this state in order to oxygenate your system. You’ll feel better, more energetic and awake. As an added bonus this improves circulation and helps your muscles recover from exercise more quickly.
6. Boost your metabolism, detox and aid fat loss. The sudden, sharp change in temperature sets your body's metabolism and lymphatic system into overdrive. This will help your metabolism speed up and promote drainage of toxins from the lymphatic system all aiding fat loss and an overall better working of the digestive system.
Well if they aren't 6 good reasons to brave the cold I'm not sure what is! Take a look at a similar post I did last year on the benefits of cold water here.
So all you have to do is blast yourself with cold water, preferably first thing in the morning. I wash in normal temperature shower water and then blast the body with cold just before I get out. It is so invigoration and will set up your immunity, skin, hair, mood and energy levels for an amazing day ahead.
Brrrr but worth it!
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