Health Benefits Of Taking A Cold Shower - Page 2

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We know that both water and temperature do interesting things to the body. It’s why each has been used in holistic healing treatments for centuries. Think of the emergence of sensory deprivation tanks in which one floats in water, deprived of any other stimulation. Or the fact that people travel thousands of miles to swim in the Dead Sea. Any institution meant to induce relaxation, such as a spa, massage center, or even a therapist’s office often has a small fountain or is piping in the sounds of gurgling water through its speakers. Even the noises affiliated with water are healing.

As for temperature, our bodies react differently to various degrees. We know that hot water can be wonderfully relaxing for the muscles. It’s why so many athletes spend time in a Jacuzzi after a big game. Or why entire resort towns pop up around natural hot springs. But what about cold water? It may not seem as instantly appealing. It doesn’t seem to coddle and nurture the way hot water does, but it does have its benefits. Many people swear by starting their day with a cold shower. Let’s take a look at why that is.

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Fight pain

If you’re experiencing body pains and are trying to either avoid taking pain medication or looking for a holistic supplemental tool, a cold shower could do the trick. Research has found that submersion in cold water triggers something called stress-induced analgesia, which is essentially a reduced pain response in the body.

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Reduce inflammation

If inflammation is behind your aches and pains, taking a cold shower could help, along with other treatments. This can be particularly beneficial to those who suffer from arthritis. One study suggests that cold therapy can reduce symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. It found that heat therapy was also effective, so you can choose between the two.

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Fight eczema

Those with eczema or similar skin conditions that cause irritation and flakiness should favor cold showers over hot ones. Hot water dries out the skin further, worsening such conditions. Cold water can also give one a healthy-looking glow because it constricts blood flow to the face.

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Strengthen hair

Cold water has been said to help strengthen hair because it closes the hair follicles, protecting them against damage. Both your skin and hair have a protective layer called the sebum that delivers healthy oils. Hot water can damage the sebum layer, which is another reason cold showers may help fortify skin and hair.

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Improve immunity

Though controversial, some athletes are taking to swimming in incredibly cold natural waters (winter swimming, to be exact), to strengthen their bodies. You probably shouldn’t go to such extremes, but you may see some benefits to your immunity if you take cold showers. Research has found exposure to cold water can increase red and white blood cells, as well as platelets.

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Boost metabolism

While cold showers can’t be the only tool one uses to maintain a healthy weight, they can be a part of the regiment. To put it simply, the body can only dedicate energy to so many things at once. When exposed to the cold, the body must expend a lot of energy just to keep the body warm, which boosts the metabolism. It also creates a sense of alertness that might motivate you to stick to your workout plan, and it boosts the production of a healthy fat the body uses to stay warm.

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Increase circulation

When cold water hits your skin, your skin immediately constricts circulation on its outer layers, in an attempt to keep you warm. This forces circulation to quicken in deeper tissues, so that your body can maintain a healthy temperature. Interestingly, hot water also increases circulation, so you can once again choose between the two.

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Boost fertility

It’s not necessarily that cold water boosts fertility so much that hot water can damage it. It’s one of the reasons fertility doctors tell men who are trying to have kids to not go in Jacuzzis before creating their, er, sample for collection. Hot water also lowers testosterone levels. As you can see, couples hoping to conceive should switch to cold waters to make for a virile man. Men who are getting up there in age and hoping to procreate should particularly avoid hot water, according to one study.

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Fight chronic fatigue syndrome

Athletes who find that they cannot maintain their desired physical activity consistently might suffer from something called chronic fatigue syndrome. It pertains to the body’s inability to recover from intense activity at a sufficient rate. Research has found that cold water therapy can help battle this condition. Sometimes, chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by hypothalamus dysfunction. Cold water may help treat this too because, when the body is cold, it activates the hypothalamus, so it can send signals to your body to shiver and warm you up.