Any showers below with a water temperature 70°F is a cold shower. They possess some health benefits. Water therapy or hydrotherapy has been used for ages to take advantage of our body’s tendency to prepare for harsher conditions. Consequently, the body become more immune to stress.
Benefits of cold shower
Makes your hair and skin hydrated
When we take cold showers, it temporarily tightens pores and assists us in retaining the natural oils in our skin and hair. Those exposed to dry skin or worried about dry, brittle hair may consider rinsing off with cold water frequently.
Increase mental health and immunity
Cold water activates the generation of beta-endorphins and noradrenaline. Electrical impulses are discharged from our nerve endings to our brain when we undergo cold showers, and this chemical reaction does have an antidepressant effect on a few individuals. Getting a cold shower may keep you from getting a cold by enhancing your immune system and making you more immune to illness.
Improve circulation
When the body feel cold water, they instinctively switch to survival mode and respond by increasing the heart rate. The cold water makes your circulatory system into to high gear, making your heart to pump more efficiently and creating overall circulation throughout your body to improve.
May alleviate pain
Research highlights that exposure to the cold creates the cold receptors in your skin to send electrical impulses to the brain that have a considerable pain-lowering effect.
Cold exposure also generates more endorphins, which elevate mood and act as natural pain relievers during stress or pain. Furthermore, cold showers can assist in reducing pain from injury or chronic conditions.
May assist metabolism
Few research highlights that cold showers may stimulate your metabolism. The metabolism process converts the food into energy in the body. Increasing metabolism can assist the body in burning fat and calories. The cold shower may have this effect on your metabolism during shivering.
May safeguard against age-related conditions
A 2022 review highlighted that cold water may elevate the levels of adiponectin. Adiponectin play a crucial role in preventing age-linked conditions such as diabetes, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. Adiponectin increases as you shiver during cold showers.
May lower muscle soreness
Different forms of cold therapy such as ice application are frequently used to reduce pain after exercise or assist heal an injury. Cold showers other different forms of cold-water immersion may have a analogous effect.
Increases sleep quality
Taking a cold shower before bedtime can help in getting better sleep. The fall in body temperature after a cold shower simulates the body’s natural temperature decline as it makes ready for sleep. This process can help manage the sleep cycle and support a more restful and deeper slumber.
Increases alertness and mental clarity
The shock of cold water stimulates a rush of adrenaline, resulting in increased heart rate and oxygen intake. This instant surge of adrenaline works as a natural stimulant, leading to heightened alertness and mental clarity. Cold showers can also relieve symptoms of brain fog and give a more focused and energised state of mind, making them the best way to jumpstart the day.
Cons of Cold Showers
Cold showers may not be great idea if you are already cold, because the cooler temperature will not warm you up by any ways. It can actually make you even colder and raise the amount of time that will take for you to get warm again.
It is not suggested to get cold showers when you are sick. In the beginning, the cold temperature may be too hard on your immune system, hence it is good to ease into the cooler temperatures.
Cold shower vs Hot shower: What’s the Difference?
Cold showers has the following benefits:
- Boost circulation
- Enhance mood and energy
- Improve skin and hair health by tightening cuticles and pores, and
- Aid muscle recovery after exercise
However, they can be uncomfortable and less appealing in cold weather.
Hot showers has the following benefits:
- Relax muscles
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep quality
- Alleviate nasal congestion through steam
- They may dry out skin and hair and cause a temporary increase in blood pressure.
Nevertheless, the choice between cold and hot showers depends on specific needs and personal preferences.
Cold Shower after Workouts
A cold shower after workouts minimise inflammation and muscle soreness by decreasing metabolic activity and constricting blood vessels in the muscles, making it ideal for quick recovery.
Also, blood circulation is boosted and the body warms up again, thereby reducing the risk of post-exercise stiffness.
However, the initial shock of cold water might be uncomfortable for some, and it's less effective for relieving deep muscle tension compared to a warm shower or bath.
Is it best to choose a hot or cold shower after workout?
Choosing between a hot or cold shower after workouts depend on the individual. A cold shower can reduce muscle soreness and inflammation by decreasing swelling. A hot shower relaxes tense muscles and improves blood flow, which can be beneficial for promoting relaxation and easing stiffness.
Some people use a combination of both—they start with a hot shower for relieving muscle tension and then a cold shower to reduce inflammation.
Benefits of cold shower in winter
Here are some of the benefits of cold shower in winter:
- Improves blood flow
- Optimises immune system
- Energises the nervous system
- Keeps the moisture locked in
- Seals the hair cuticles with shinier locks
- Triggers the release of endorphins
- Builds mental resilience
Does cold shower increase testosterone?
The direct impact of cold showers increasing testosterone levels are not strongly supported. Some studies suggest that cold exposure might influence hormone regulation to some extent, but more research is needed to definitively establish any significant link between cold showers and increased testosterone levels.
FAQs
1. Which is better, a hot or cold shower?
Cold showers may assist in lowering inflammation, improving circulation, reducing stress levels, and lowering fatigue and muscle soreness. On the other hand, hot showers can soothe stiff joints, improve cardiovascular health and improve sleep. Comprehending when to take a hot or cold shower is crucial.
