Is taking a cold shower good for your health?
Warm showers are preferred by many individuals over chilly showers. Cold water, on the other hand, has been found in certain studies to be good to physical and mental health. This article discusses some of the scientific evidence that cold showers have a variety of physical and mental health advantages. We also go through some pointers for getting started with cold showers and some things to keep in mind when making the move. Some of the potential benefits of taking cold showers are listed below.
1. Increased vigilance
Because of the impact on the body, taking a cold shower might help a person feel more attentive. Cold showers have a variety of physiological impacts on the body, according to a meta-analysis of existing cold water immersion research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Including:
- a faster heartbeat
- increased blood pressure
- increased respiration rate
The body’s metabolism is also boosted by cold water since it has to work harder to maintain a constant temperature. However, given the average duration of a cold shower is only 5–10 minutes, its metabolism-boosting effects should not be used as a weight-loss strategy. Cold showers, on the other hand, can make a person feel energised and alert, prompting them to become more physically active.
2. Immune system that is stronger
People who take cold showers are 29 percent less likely to call in ill for work or school, according to a study published in the journal PLoS OneTrusted Source. The study included 3,018 participants who took a hot shower and subsequently used cold water for 30–90 seconds, depending on their research group. One group of researchers took warm showers as normal and did not use any cold water. Those who had cold showers were less likely to call in sick to work, but they did not have fewer sick days. Cold showers may help a person’s illness feel less severe, allowing them to continue with their everyday routines, according to the study. There was no discernible difference between those who took the test and those who did not. There was no difference between participants who took a cold shower for 30, 60, or 90 seconds, according to the researchers. As a result, they came to the conclusion that cold water, regardless of time, activates the body’s immune system.
3. Mood improvement
Some academics believe that taking a cold shower helps improve one’s mood. People may be less likely to experience depressive symptoms after taking a cold shower because cold showers activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the availability of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and endorphins, according to an older study published in the journal Medical Hypotheses. It is crucial to stress, however, that cold showers should not be used in place of prescription depression medication.
4. Physical recuperation has improved.
Cold water immersion and contrast water therapy (first using hot water, then cold) can assist increase recovery and reduce fatigue, according to a meta-analysis of 23 peer-reviewed publications published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. This study could aid athletes in reducing symptoms of weariness associated with their physical performance by utilising cold water treatments.
5. Pain is lessened.
Cold water applications can provide local anesthetic-like effects for pain relief, according to a report in the North American Journal of Medical SciencesTrusted Source. Cold water causes blood vessels to contract, which helps to minimise swelling and edoema, which can cause pain. The pace at which nerve signals conduct impulses can likewise be slowed by cold water. This can slow down the transmission of pain signals from the nerves to the brain, lowering a person’s feeling of pain.
