Benefits Of Cold Showers In The Morning & Why You Should Try It!
If you’re like most people, the idea of taking a cold shower sounds pretty unappealing.
But believe it or not, there are some fantastic benefits to be had from incorporating cold showers into your daily routine.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at those benefits and explore some tips for making the transition to cold showers less daunting.
Table of Contents:
- Why should you consider cold showers?
- When is the best time to take a cold shower?
- Top 7 benefits of taking a cold shower.
- Benefits of a 20-minute cold shower.
- Takeaway.
Why Should you Consider Cold Showers?
The concept of a cold shower is based on the ancient practice of Cryotherapy or cold therapy.
Cold therapy is based on the principle of Hormesis, which states that a low dose of stress can have benefits for the body.
In the case of cold showers, the stressor is the cold water, which helps to increase resilience and promote overall health.
When is the best time to take a cold shower?
In general, cold showers are especially beneficial in the morning, because they spike adrenaline and therefore can help increase energy levels and improve focus. Coldwater sends a shock to the system, which immediately raises the alertness levels.
Taking a cold shower in the morning also has the effect of constricting blood vessels which can help improve circulation.
In addition, cold showers have been shown to boost immunity by stimulating the lymphatic system. As a result, cold showers are an ideal way to start the day, providing a burst of energy and helping you prepare your body for the day ahead.
To learn about creating a great morning routine to reduce anxiety click here.
Top 7 Benefits of Cold Showers:
1. Increased Metabolism & Weight loss
Cold showers have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the metabolism, and this may, in turn, help with weight loss.
Cold showers stimulate the body and cause an increase in the metabolic rate.
Increased metabolism means more calories are burned during the day, which can lead to weight loss over time.
2. Improves Mood
Cold showers can improve your mood and overall happiness for the day.
Studies have shown that cold showers can help boost your mood and make you more alert and happier.
The cold water helps stimulate your nervous system and increase blood flow, which can improve your mood and make you more awake.
In addition, cold showers can help improve your circulation and relieve stress.
So if you’re looking for a way to start your day off on the right foot, consider taking a cold shower when you wake up.
3. Decreases Inflammation
Studies have shown that cold showers can help decrease inflammation.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, and it plays a vital role in the healing process.
However, chronic inflammation can lead to various health problems, including heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes.
A cold shower can help reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling.
In addition, cold water therapy has been shown to improve circulation and boost the immune system.
As a result, cold showers can be an effective way to lower inflammation and promote healing.
4. Decreases Pain
Cold showers have been shown to reduce pain.
A cold shower can help numb the nerves and reduce inflammation.
This can be helpful for people who suffer from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis. Cold showers can also help reduce muscle soreness after exercise.
The cold water helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. As a result, cold showers can provide relief for various painful conditions.
5. Increases Endurance & Resilience
Cold showers have been shown to increase endurance and resilience by increasing the number of mitochondria.
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, and cold showers help to increase their numbers. This results in increased energy production, which leads to increased endurance and resilience.
So if you’re looking for a way to boost your endurance and resilience, add cold showers to your routine. You’ll be amazed at how much more energized you feel.
6. Improves Cognitive Function
Cold showers have been shown to improve cognitive function.
A study published in The Journal Nature indicated that cold showers can help improve memory and enhance learning.
Cold showers help stimulate the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in memory and learning.
In addition, cold water has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which can also help improve cognitive function.
7. promotes faster Healing
Cold showers can help speed up the recovery process after sustaining an injury.
Cold showers help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation, both of which can speed up the recovery process.
In addition, cold water therapy can help ease pain and muscle soreness.
However, if you are a beginner, it is important to start taking cold showers gradually since cold water can also cause a shock to the system.
How do you Start Taking Cold Showers?
As a beginner, you should start with a short duration of time; the recommended start time for a cold shower is 30 seconds to 1 minute, then gradually increase your time to 3-5 minutes.
Try finishing your cold shower with warm water to reduce the shock, especially in the beginning.
Disclaimer: Make sure to check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions, before starting a cold shower regimen.
Benefits of a 20-minute Cold Shower:
Although not recommended for everyone, some studies have shown that a 20-minute cold shower can increase levels of norepinephrine by 200-300%. Norepinephrine is a hormone that plays a vital role in regulating inflammation.
Increased levels of norepinephrine have been shown to decrease inflammation, increase T cells, and boost antioxidant activity.
However, DO NOT start taking long cold showers if you are a beginner. Start with just 30 seconds or 1 minute, and gradually increase your time to 3-5 minutes or more if desired.
Takeaway
If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your overall health and gain some energy when you wake up in the morning, adding cold showers to your morning routine is a great way. Just make sure you start slowly and limit the amount of time you spend in the cold water when you are just starting out. Then gradually increase your time. Thank you for reading!
References:
Buijze GA, Sierevelt IN, van der Heijden BC, Dijkgraaf MG, Frings-Dresen MH. The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS One. 2016 Sep 15;11(9):e0161749. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161749. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2018 Aug 2;13(8):e0201978. PMID: 27631616; PMCID: PMC5025014.
Chung N, Park J, Lim K. The effects of exercise and cold exposure on mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2017;21(2):39-47. doi:10.20463/jenb.2017.0020
