Generally, we all feel refreshed and energized after taking a cold shower. A cold shower has many health and beauty benefits. Recent studies have shown that taking a cold shower is very beneficial for your general wellbeing. Many people have adopted the habit of taking a cold shower every day. There is an increase in the popularity of taking a cold shower as it helps to keep your mind and body relaxed, helps improve your skin tone, and is good for your overall wellbeing.
What is a cold shower?
A shower below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.11 degrees Celsius) or below the room temperature, is considered a cold shower. Cold showers are also a part of hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy- in which water is therapeutically used – both internally and externally as a curative measure for various disorders. Taking a cold shower helps to elevate your energy levels- keeping your mind and body rejuvenated all over the day. A cold shower before bed can help you in inducing sound sleep.
What are the benefits of a cold shower?
A cold shower has many benefits for your physical and mental health. Following are a few benefits of the cold shower:-
Helps in reducing stress
A cold shower signals your mind to be more resilient to stress. Adopting a regular habit of taking a cold shower creates a small amount of stress on your system. Which helps in the hardening process. Which helps your nervous system to handle moderate levels of stress. As per a study, it was observed that cold showers put oxidative stress (a disturbance between the balance between free radicals and antioxidant defenses) on your nervous system. For which your body gets used to over a period of time. A cold shower also helps in improving glutathione in the blood and decreases uric acid resulting in a reduction in your stress levels.
Enhances alertness
The cold shower makes you more alert and fills you with energy. A cold shower induces your body to take deep breaths. Which helps in increasing oxygen levels up to cellular levels and relieves your body of carbon dioxide. With the optimum quantity of oxygen available at the mitochondrial level- more energy is produced. And your feel active and energized. For more details please read our post below by clicking on the link:-
Recharge- The body’s powerhouse mitochondria.
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Cold shower benefits- helps in loosing weight
As per a recent study – it was observed a cold shower or exposure to cold in general- helps to enhance metabolic rate. Taking cold shower benefits -the production of brown fat. Brown fat is a type of fat tissue- that generates energy by burning calories. It is mostly found in body parts like- the chest, spine, etc. White fat is linked to obesity. Whereas brown fat is considered -healthy fat. Consuming a healthy diet, and adopting a habit of exercising regularly along with cold showers helps in losing – those extra body weight pounds.
Cold shower helps in strengthening immunity
As per a study, it was observed that cold showers help in enhancing the production of white blood cells (WBC). WBCs are responsible for the protection of our bodies from infiltrating micro-organisms- which can cause infections and diseases. It is believed by scientists that this process is related to increased metabolic rate, which helps in stimulating an immune response.
Cold shower helps in improving blood circulation
A cold shower helps in improving the circulation of blood in your body. While taking a cold shower – the temperature of the external body surface gets lowered, And to maintain the optimum body temperature- blood is circulated at a faster rate in deeper tissues. At the same time, it constricts circulation near your skin. With improved blood circulation your cardiovascular health also improves.
Cold shower makes your skin soft and smooth
A cold shower helps in increasing blood circulation. This helps in the better availability of oxygen and nourishment to your skin cells. Moreover, it helps in regulating your sebum levels. A cold shower also helps in retaining your natural skin oils. All these help in making your soft and smooth. As per J.Rodney, M.D., FAAD, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics- “Coldwater also stimulates the tiny muscles in your pores to give you tighter, firmer, more youthful skin”.
Improves your hair health
A cold shower helps to retain the natural oils of the scalp- that too is the skin. It helps in keeping hair follicles flat and makes their grip strong on the scalp. This helps in preventing hair loss and facilitates healthy hair growth. As per celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons- “The cool water temperature closes and strengthens the hair cuticle, which can result in stronger, healthier hair over time.”
Cold shower helps in recovery of muscles
Taking a cold shower helps in removing lactic acid from muscles. Lactic acid is formed when the body breaks down carbohydrates to fulfill increased energy requirements in muscles. For which carbohydrates, breakdown occurs and more oxygen is needed. The overabundance of lactic acid causes muscles soreness and fatigue. A cold shower helps in increasing the circulation of blood and facilitates providing optimum oxygen requirements. Therefore after intense training or workout sessions by sportspersons – a cold shower is suggested for muscles recovery.
Thus taking a cold shower in the morning is helpful in optimizing your energy levels and makes you fresh and active for a long day ahead. After intense workouts- it helps in getting rid of exhaustion. The benefits of taking a cold shower before retiring to bed helps in inducing sound sleep. A cold shower also benefits people with depression by reducing their signs up to some extent.
For treatment – please consult your healthcare provider. People with cardiovascular diseases should consult with their treating physician before taking cold showers- as it may lead to constriction of blood vessels. Which can increase heart rate and blood pressure.
For awareness purposes only.
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Surinder Bhalla
Blogger & Marketing consultant
40+ Years of experience in the healthcare industry.
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