Many see taking cold showers as a dreadful thing to do to their bodies. Remember the time growing up when your brother or sister would flush the toilet mid-shower, leaving you covered in bone-chilling cold water? Who knew all those times they were actually improving your health by doing this.
The best part about cold showers is it’s free and does not come with any side effects.
You are now invited to consider six surprising benefits of cold showers.
1. Can Alleviate Depression
Studies have shown that cold showers can be used as a potential treatment for depression. It does this effectively by releasing many neurochemicals (e.g. endorphins and others) and also activation of the sympathetic nervous system. These could act together to alleviate depression and anxiety.
2. Healthier Skin And Hair
Where a hot shower can dry things out, cold showers hydrate and help with split ends and dry skin. According to certified Dermatologist Jessica Krant, ice cold water can help our skin by preventing it from losing too many natural oils. And your hair gets the same benefit.
3. Help Speed Up Muscle Recovery
Cold shower can help relieve muscle soreness from exercise. There’s a reason why athletes take ice baths after vigorous training sessions.
4. Help Boost the Immune System
According to a study from England, taking cold showers on a regular basis increases the numbers of disease-fighting white blood cells (compared to people who took hot showers).
Researchers at Britain’s Thrombosis Research Institute suggest that as the body tries to warm itself during and after a cold shower, metabolic rate speeds up and activates the immune system, which leads to the release of more white blood cells.
5. Temperature Regulation
Taking daily cold showers help reduce heat loss which decreases your core body temperature, and regulate your overall body temperature. If you suffer from chronically cold hands and feet, or feel that you sweat an abnormal amount, try a cold shower.
6. Improve Sleep
Taking a cold shower before bed may help your body trigger sleep signals and give you a deeper sleep. Some research suggests that cold water immersion can trigger our body’s sleep signalers, which helps you get to sleep even faster and helps you experience even deeper and more relaxed sleeps late at night.
People with certain conditions should avoid cold showers due to the shock to the body’s system. We recommend you gradually decrease the temperature of the water so your body can adjust.
Source
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov