How to start with cold showers:
Getting into the hang of cold showers can be a little difficult, for they are definitely not warm and cosy. Here are a few methods that you can try to make your cold shower experience a little less scary.
* The Easing-in method:
Source: https://www.painscience.com * The contrast showering method:
* The Distraction method:
Focusing your thoughts in a different direction helps in distracting your brain from the cold. Visualizing a warmer place or listening to music can serve as effective distractions. Focusing on one's breath also helps in managing cold showers.
Benefits of cold showers:
1. Builds immunity
Studies have shown that people taking cold showers daily produced more white blood cells or WBCs when compared to people taking hot showers. The WBCs are responsible for fighting off any foreign body and building up immunity. Research at Britain's Thrombosis Research Institute has shown that the human body tries to warm itself up post and during a cold shower, leading to a faster metabolism. This increase in the rate of metabolic activity activates the immune system, generating more white blood cells. German studies have shown that regular cold showers can help combat oxidative stress, i.e. they can help in dealing with the imbalance between the free radicals and the antioxidants present in one's body.
2. Boosts fertility
Hydrotherapy has long been used for promoting fertility in both men and women. While the effects on women are nominal, cold showers can do wonders in boosting fertility in men. Heat affects sperm production, and taking fewer hot showers was proven to increase the sperm count by an average of 500 percent, according to a study conducted in 2007. Moreover, cold showers lower the scrotal temperature, which enhances sperm production and also increases testosterone levels.
3. Better sleep
Humans naturally experience a drop in body temperature while sleeping. A cold shower helps in lowering the body temperature, sending signals that the body is prepared for sleep. Taking a cold shower right before bed, thus triggers the sleep signals in your body, resulting in a deeper sleep.
4. Better skin
5. Better hair
Similar to the sealing action in the skin, cold water also seals the scalp, preventing the entry of dirt. Moreover, unlike warm water, cold water does not deprive the scalp of its essential oils, promoting hair growth.
Cold showers improve blood circulation, which helps in reducing muscle inflammation. Taking cold showers post vigorous physical activity has been proven to flush lactic acid out of the body, which helps in relieving fatigue. The vasoconstriction caused, which leads to an increase in the temperature of the muscles also aids in faster muscle recovery. A cold shower has similar effects as that of an ice pack post a work-out session.
7. Lowers stress levels
Regular cold showers train the body to manage stressful situations better. Researches have shown that cold water reduces uric acid levels, which, apart from lowering stress, also helps in preventing kidney and gout diseases. Moreover, showering in cold water boosts the levels of super antioxidant glutathione, which also improves the performance of other antioxidants in the body.
8. Promotes weight loss
The contains two types of fat, white fat, and brown fat. White fat stores excess calories whereas brown fat burns calories to maintain the normal body temperature. Burning of fat helps in reducing, thus an increase in brown fat proves effective in weight loss. Studies conducted at Harvard have concluded that people spending 10 days in rooms cooled to 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit showed an increase in the activity of brown fat cells. Colder temperatures, thus activate brown adipose tissue, generating heat, which raises metabolism and burns fat. Moreover, cold showers have also been proven to increase brown fat in the body, which further promotes weight loss.
9. Helps depression
10. Better blood circulation
Cold water causes the body temperature to drop, which is then brought to normal via faster blood circulation. The increased circulation also leads to a higher demand for oxygen, causing faster breathing rates. This, in turn, increases the oxygen supply to the muscles, which helps in fighting fatigue.
11. Helps opioid addictions
Cold showers, as mentioned previously, increase the levels of beta-endorphins in blood. The beta-endorphins bind to the opioid receptors in the brain in a similar manner as opioid drugs. Having cold showers thus tricks the brain and helps in managing post-withdrawal symptoms better.
12. Lymphatic cleansing
13. Builds emotional resilience
exposure to cold water causes a small amount of stress on your nerves. Regular cold showers thus help in training the nervous system to handle stress better, as the body gets used to it. Cold showers help in adaptation and the body becomes capable of handling more stress gradually.
14. Waking up
Cold showers stimulate the nerves, which activates the brain and helps in waking up energized. Cold showers have been proven as one of the most effective methods of getting up in the morning.
15. Better breathing
Cold showers can be a little difficult to start with but prove extremely beneficial in the long run. The immense health benefits, paired with zero side effects make cold showers the best option available out there to stay healthy.
