The Top 10 Proven Health Benefits of Taking a Cold Shower!

Introduction

Flipping through the pages of history books. A few centuries back, taking a hot bath was considered a luxury in the winter season. 

Throughout most of human history, people had to bathe in whatever water was available to them. The Greeks were the first to develop a water heating system especially way back in the 1st century BC.

But ironically even after their own invention, most of the Greeks continued taking a bath with the seasonal water. They didn’t do that out of any paucity but merely because of their understanding of the health benefits of the cold bathe.

Though it can be contradicted, it was the Greek civilization who were the pioneers in establishing the health benefits of a cold shower or bathe.

For the sake of differentiation, water below 69 degrees Fahrenheit (20.5 degrees Celsius) is classified to be in the category of cold water shower.

Health Benefits 

1) Burning extra calories – A regular 15-minute cold shower is enough to burn around 100 extra calories a day. The water should be at least 5 degrees Celsius colder than room temperature.

2) Reducing body recovering time – After a strenuous exercise, a dip in icy cold water remarkably boosts your body’s recovery time & ensures that your body gets back to 100% for another rigorous workout in a short period of time.

3) Good for the skin – It is good for your skin. It reduces acne by tightening your cuticles and pores, preventing them from getting clogged. It also gives you vibrant & glowing skin by enhancing the blood circulation on the skin’s surface.

4) Immunity booster – It enhances your immunity thereby keeping 80% of human diseases at bay if you have a strong immune system.

5) Reduces swelling – Think of it as an ice-cold pad. The chilling effect is capable of helping your body eliminate inflammation or swelling.

6) Anti-depressant therapy – Taking a cold shower can stimulate the brain and encourage it to produce noradrenaline. This chemical is capable of helping to fight off depression (not in the case of clinical depression).

7) Instant lowering of hot body temperature – As a medical emergency, a cold shower benefits by cooling down your body for a short period of time if you are suffering from a very high-grade fever (over 104 degrees F). It prevents your body’s heat from reaching your brain, which otherwise can prove fatal. 

8) Alleviating alcohol-induced hangover – It also helps to alleviate the morning hangover from a night out partying with heavy booze. Taking a cold shower from head to toe ensures improved blood circulation, especially to your brain which is the organ responsible for the hangovers.

9) Clearing off excess mucus – As ironic as it may sound, if you have a severe cold & thick mucus, a cold water shower can prove to be a blessing in disguise. It induces involuntary deep breathing thereby clearing mucus off the thin lining of the lungs & separating them apart for better breathing.

10) Boosts testosterone production – Scientific studies confirm the health benefits of cold shower, including a boost in testosterone levels. To reap these benefits, it’s essential to let your testes soak in the cold water for at least 5 minutes. Moreover, it enhances sperm cell count and mobility.

Fun Fact: Some of you might find it hard to believe but washing hair with cold water gives you shinier & more attractive hair!

FAQs

Does a cold shower boost testosterone levels in men?

• Just soaking the testes in cold water for 5 minutes on a regular basis can boost men’s testosterone levels. Men with even more enthusiasm can do this twice a day to get even better results.

Is it a good idea to take a cold shower after working out?

• Following a difficult workout, a quick dip in extremely cold water will significantly speed up your body’s recuperation time and ensure that you’re ready for another challenging workout in very little time.

Is it a good idea to take a cold shower before going to bed?

• Not really, in fact, taking a hot shower before going to bed has some positive effects on your health & the quality of sleep. When it is time for your bed, your body clock (controlled by circadian rhythms) sends signals to your body that it’s time for bed, it does so by lowering your core body temperature by a degree. You don’t want your body temperature to fall even further by taking a cold shower prior to your night’s sleep.

Can we take a cold shower with a fever?

• When your core body temperature reaches 40°C (104°F) or more, it can be a wise move to take an instant cold shower. Though it may not help you feel well, it will help cool down your body for some time. Taking meditation should always be your front line of treatment when you have a fever (in excess of 100°F).

Is it a good idea to take a cold shower in winter?

• A cold shower during winter can induce shivering, which triggers an automatic response to maintain body temperature. This leads to increased cortisol levels and activation of beneficial brown fat, helping the body generate heat by burning calories. Embracing a cold shower in the winter months may contribute to heightened energy, an improved metabolism, and potential health benefits of a cold shower in managing blood sugar levels.

Citation

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/6-cold-shower-benefits-consider
https://hbr.org/2018/03/cold-showers-lead-to-fewer-sick-days https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5025014/

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