Cold Shower Benefits

The Benefits of Cold Showers

Benefits of cold showers vary depending on each person’s physical health, mental state, and environment. However, it can be argued that the benefits of taking a cold shower are endless because just the act of turning the water to cold turns your mind into realizing your responsibility to yourself and care for your body. Even though every person has his or her own opinion about what is good or bad about taking chilly showers, there are some benefits that nearly everyone agrees upon:

IMPROVED CIRCULATION

Cold water forces blood vessels to constrict which means more blood flow in one area when turning from hot to cold. This is particularly helpful in massaging sore muscles after a workout at the gym. The improved circulation also helps with hair growth by increasing nutrients to the scalp. When you feel cold, your body is trying to warm itself up, which means more blood flow in that area, such as hands and face.

DECREASED INFLAMMATION

Inflammation is caused by an injury or cells getting damaged. When there’s a lot of inflammation, it can result in chronic pain and discomfort throughout the body, slowing down recovery time from workouts and even day-to-day activities. Cold water helps reduce swelling and cell damage which makes overall recovery faster and reduces chronic pain.

FALL ASLEEP FASTER AT NIGHT

Cold showers can help with insomnia because it relaxes your muscles and mind right before bedtime. Researchers say that taking a cold shower activates specific brain regions that might be responsible for a good night’s sleep.

SMOOTH SKIN

Cold water causes the skin pores to constrict, preventing dirt and sebum from being released on your skin. This will help keep a healthy complexion by protecting it from acne and blemishes caused by shaving or waxing. Cold showers also cause the body to produce more collagen which helps tighten pores for younger-looking smooth skin that is free of wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks, and other signs of aging.

GLOWING SKIN & SHINY HAIR

By stimulating the production of melanin in the body (since cold temperature stimulates melanocytes specifically), you’re able to achieve vibrant hair color because this pigment gives off signals that protect hair against UV damage which means less split ends and dry hair. As discussed earlier, the cold temperature also works to tighten skin pores, making it free of blemishes and dark spots that can look like age spots or liver spots. By keeping your skin looking younger and plumper, you decrease the appearance of fine lines on your face making you appear more radiant and glowing with smooth healthy-looking skin.

BETTER BREATHING

Colds increase the production of mucous and contract nasal passages which helps prevent respiratory issues during winter months when doors are kept shut for warmth. Symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, coughing, throat irritation caused by postnasal drip can be greatly reduced if not prevented altogether with regular cold showers even just once or twice a week.

LESS DEPENDENCY ON CAFFEINE

Many studies show how taking cold showers can increase alertness and reduce fatigue. This is beneficial for athletes who require a lot of energy to perform well during games or competitions. Cold showers awaken your body by increasing your heart rate, making you feel more energetic, refreshed, and less sleepy. It also helps with mental clarity by improving focus due to better circulation throughout the body including the brain.

IMPROVED BLOOD CIRCULATION

Because cold water forces blood into one place at a time, it is particularly helpful with exercising muscles because all of your muscles are working together instead of on separate occasions depending on whether it’s hot or cold outside or even in the room where you shower. When there’s reduced blood circulation, it can cause muscle fatigue and weakness, so cold showers are the best during those times.

KNOW YOUR LIMIT

Some people take very long showers even as long as an hour or two (or more) because they like the feeling of comfort and warmth from hot water. Taking too long in a hot shower can cause dry skin and other problems such as itching all over the body, making you feel uncomfortable and unpleasant to be around with others. Even if you like taking longer showers, spend less time every week by only staying under a hot shower for ten minutes before jumping into a colder one for just five minutes to finish up the rest of your shower routine. This will help regulate blood circulation better than if you stayed under a hot shower for half an hour or more.

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