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9 Surprising Benefits of Cold Showers You Need to Know




WELLNESS  
By Jul 18, 2023, 21:24 IST
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Benefits Of Cold ShowerImage: Shutterstock

Showering in cold water can be a difficult task, especially during the cold winter months. But the benefits of cold-water showers are numerous and can help improve your health and even boost your mood.

Why Cold Showers?
Benefits Of Cold Showers
When To Not Take Cold Showers
How To Take A Cold Shower
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion

Why Cold Showers?

Cold showers can help reduce inflammation and improve circulation, boost your immune system, and improve your skin and hair. They can also help you to increase alertness, reduce stress, and improve your overall mood and energy levels.

When you take a cold shower, your body is forced to adjust its temperature[1], which can help to increase your overall alertness. This is because cold water causes your body to produce endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that help to reduce stress and improve your mood. Additionally, cold water can help to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and reduce the risk of developing certain illnesses.

Benefits Of Cold Showers

1. Boosts Your Mood

Taking a cold shower can be a great way to energize your day. Cold water helps to increase alertness and improve your mood. Studies have shown that cold water can help to reduce symptoms of depression and improve overall well-being. Taking a cold shower can be invigorating and refreshing, helping to lift your spirits and keep you feeling positive.

2. Improves Circulation

Cold showers increase blood circulation and help to flush out toxins from your body, which can help improve your overall health. Cold showers can also help improve circulation by constricting the blood vessels and encouraging blood flow. This can help to reduce fatigue and provide more energy, allowing you to stay active and productive.

3. Strengthens Your Immune System

Cold showers can help to stimulate your immune system[2], helping to keep you healthy.

4. Increases Your Metabolism

Cold showers can help to boost your metabolic rate, making it easier to burn fat and lose weight.

5. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Cold showers can be very calming and can help reduce stress levels. Stress can have a major effect on our physical and mental health[3], so it's important to find ways to manage it effectively. Cold showers can help to reduce stress levels by relaxing you and calming you down.

6. Relieves Muscle Pain

Cold showers can help to reduce inflammation and muscle pain. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or illness, and it can lead to swelling, pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Taking a cold shower can help reduce inflammation by constricting the blood vessels and reducing swelling. This can be particularly helpful for those with chronic pain, arthritis, or other inflammatory conditions.

7. Improves Sleep Quality

Cold showers can help to relax your body and mind and can help to improve your sleep quality.

8. Clears Your Skin

Cold showers can help to clear your skin and reduce acne.

9. Releases Endorphins

Cold showers can help to release endorphins in your body, which are hormones responsible for making you feel good.

But again, everything should be balanced, and taking too many cold water showers can become harmful.

When To Not Take Cold Showers

Showering in cold water can provide a variety of health benefits, from increased energy and improved circulation to improved mood and improved circulation. However, there are some cases in which you should avoid cold showers.

1. If you have a fever: A cold shower can cause a fever to worsen, as it can be too much of a shock to the body when your body is already battling an illness.

2. If you have a respiratory illness: A cold shower can worsen any respiratory illness you may be suffering from, as the sudden temperature change can aggravate your symptoms.

3. If you have a cold or flu: Cold showers can worsen the symptoms of a cold or flu, as the sudden temperature change can aggravate your symptoms.

4. If you have circulation problems: Cold showers can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, and can be dangerous for people with circulation problems or cardiovascular issues.

5. If you have an existing skin condition: Cold showers can worsen existing skin conditions, and can cause further irritation.

6. If you have high blood pressure: Cold showers can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, and can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.

7. If you are pregnant: Cold showers can be dangerous for pregnant women, as the sudden temperature change can be too much of a shock to the body.

Overall, there are a variety of cases in which cold showers should be avoided, and it is important to understand these cases before attempting to shower in cold water.

Although cold showers may not be the most pleasant experience, there is no denying the health benefits they can offer. If you're looking for a way to improve your physical and mental health, taking regular cold showers may be just what you need.

How To Take A Cold Shower

Although many people prefer warm showers, there are people who prefer to shower in cold water. If you are just starting to enjoy cold showers, then take it slow. Gradually reduce the temperature and get used to taking showers in regular temperature water before experiencing cold showers. Or you can also include cold showers at the end of your regular bath. Try to stay in the colder water for a minute or two and increase the duration. By doing this, you will be able to get accustomed to cold showers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is it good to take a cold shower every day?

A. Include cold showers in your daily routine for the best results. Regular cold showers can improve the effectiveness of our circulatory system.

Q. What happens after 30 days of cold shower?

A. Increased immunity and circulation, stress relief, improved mood, and muscle soreness relief are some of the claimed benefits.

Q. How long should cold showers be?

A. Start by taking a warm shower and then switching to cold water for a few minutes. This could range between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Some people prefer to take a brief cold shower of about 5-7 minutes.

Q. What are the disadvantages of cold showers?

A. If you are sick, cold showers can make you feel worse. Because it may aggravate your cough and cold, avoid taking cold showers when you are sick. Also, your heart is under additional strain as a result of your body's response to the cold water, which could result in arrhythmia.

Q. Which is better cold or hot shower?

A. Both hot and cold showers have advantages and disadvantages. One can choose according to their body type and conditions.

Q. Do cold showers boost testosterone?

A. No, cold showers do not have any relation to the levels of testosterone.

Q. Do cold showers help acne?

A. For dry or acne-prone skin, cold water can be beneficial. The pores are tightened, which also lessens sebum production and bacterial excretion which can lead to acne.

Conclusion

Showering for an extended period of time, whether cold or hot, dries your skin. Also, avoid extremes of temperature – be it hot or cold, If you have a heart condition. Your bath products should be chosen with care according to the shower that you prefer. While both have advantages and disadvantages, striking a balance between the two yields best results.

Sources

  1. Immediate Effect of Steam Bath Followed by Cold Shower on Body Temperature Among the Healthy Individuals: A Single Arm Study.
    https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR_Vol.13_Issue.1_Jan2023/IJHSR-Abstract02.html
  2. The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5025014
  3. Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17993252

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