Benefits of cold shower

Many people prefer warm showers to cold showers. However, with this warmer weather you may want to try having a cold shower. As well as cooling you down some studies have shown that they may be beneficial to physical and mental health.

Increased Alertness.
Taking a cold shower can make a person feel more alert, by literally waking the body up.

Good for circulation
By reducing your core body temperature, your body has to work harder and faster to warm itself up. It does this by increasing blood flow to the surface of your skin, therefore promoting healthy circulation.

Shiny Hair
Rinsing yourself off with cold water after you’ve shampooed could make your hair appear shinier. That’s because warm water opens up the follicles in our hair so they can be cleaned and conditioned. Cold water, on the other hand, closes these follicles up, locking in any moisture and reducing the risk of your hair becoming dry and brittle over time.

Support Weight Loss
There is evidence that cold temperatures activate brown fat which breaks down blood sugar (glucose) and fat molecules, burning calories to create heat and help maintain body temperature.

Reduce sick days
Taking a cold shower can also improve your immune system. A study by Professor Vijay Kakkar suggested that cold showers can increase circulation and stimulates the production of immune cells to help fight flu and colds.

Soothe sore muscles
If you’ve just completed an intense workout or vigorous exercise having a cold shower afterwards could help soothe tired and achy muscles.

The cooler temperature promotes faster blood flow, allowing more blood to be delivered to areas that are sore, so therefore it can help with a more speedy recovery.

Improve Mental Health
When we’re exposed to cold water, it stimulates the production of noradrenaline and beta-endorphins, all while sending electrical impulses from our nerve endings to our brain. And according to one study, all of these chemical reactions could have an antidepressant effect on us. Of course, anyone with depression should talk to their physician to see what’s right for them, but why not also try a cold shower the next time you’re feeling blue?

Would you give it a go?

Before you take the plunge you need to give your body time to adjust, so take it slow. And remember, cold showers aren’t for everyone. If you have a history of heart conditions, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system or any concerns as to whether cold showers would be of benefit to you, seek the advice of a medical professional, first.