The Benefits of Taking a Cold Shower
There is a reason why we see athletes taking ice baths post-game and practices. Ice baths, cryo chambers, and even cold showers have an overall benefit to your mind and body, but why is taking a cold shower better for you than you think?
Support post-workout recovery
Reduce pain
Increase alertness
Slight boost to mood and immune system
Improve metabolism
Are you going to be magically healed by switching to cold showers?
“I practice AM cold showers most mornings. I’ve noticed less inflammation and muscle tension, plus its just a great way to wake up or refresh your day”
Research has shown that even the small amount of benefits is worth adding a short cold shower into your routine. What is evident across the board is the benefits of muscle post-workout. Muscles will relax and repair after a challenging workout. Cold showering brings down inflammation, increases blood flow throughout the body, providing better circulation.
The Cons of Cold Showers
Although increasing your metabolism is a plus side of taking cold showers. We put this in our cons section, as some may equate a slight metabolism increase to weight loss. Research is still unclear on the connection between cold showers and weight loss, but has shown that exposing your body to cold conditions like a cold shower can generate heat and burn brown fat. Humans are all born with healthy levels of brown fat. Brown fat is considered the “good” fat, and people with higher brown fat levels may have lower body weight. However, it is not as simple as taking a cold shower; other lifestyle habits will need to be in order to gain benefits of improving metabolism from cold showers.
When to avoid taking cold showers
Have high blood pressure
You are/were recently sick with cold, flu, or a fever
You live in a climate where the temperature is already frigid. (hint; a cold shower will not warm you up, and your body will maintain a colder temperature for a longer time.)
Have a heart condition or heart disease
Increased stress levels or depression
How to take a cold shower
Getting past the first step; mental mindset. Start slow, breathe deep, and increase the amount of time over time, and it doesn’t hurt to keep that towel close by for post-shower warmth!
Cold water therapy has been around for centuries and reported on by many. The actual temperature of the water is determined based on your prescription of what cold is. The benefits are clear: adding any cold water therapy level is beneficial to your mental and physical well-being. Like most new habits, consistency is key, don’t be afraid to make your last 30 seconds shower a nice cold one.