Apr 04 2008
4 Reasons Why You Need To Take Cold Showers!
A friend of mine is 45 years old, has no gray hair, and very good skin for her age. I wanted to find out if there was anything in her routine that could have been a reason for such youthful looks for her age (all without any surgery by the way!). Leaving genetics out of the equation for a moment, the one interesting thing that popped up was the fact that she takes a cold shower every morning. So I did a little research about the subject and found 4 main benefits that you gain by taking cold showers.
Now when I say cold shower, I want to clarify exactly what I mean by that. Taking a full cold shower, meaning no hot or warm or lukewarm water at all, is borderline torture! Especially in the cold winter months (I am from Montreal, and it is VERY cold here!). Besides, there are many benefits to taking a warm shower, the primary one being that it feels really good! But seriously, what I mean in this context, is the practice of starting with a warm shower, and ending the last few minutes with cool to cold water. Here are the benefits that you gain by incorporating a cold shower into your shower routine:
1- Better Circulation
Warm water makes the blood rush to your skin, and cool water makes the blood rush to your organs. This switching between hot and cold triggers better circulation in your blood by forcing the blood to move. The ideal practice would be to switch numerous times between hot and cold water, but merely ending the shower with cold water does help with circulation. Why should you worry about having good circulation? Well, it prevents such problems as hypertension, hardening of the arteries, and the appearance of varicose veins. Good circulation improves the performance of your system and thus help looking and feeling better.
2- Better looking skin
When you shower with warm water, it opens up your pores. Then you wash and this cleans up your pores. That’s all good. When you end, it would be best to close your pores and cold water does just that. It’s good to close your pores after you are all cleaned up because it will prevent the pores from being easily clogged by dirt and oil, which causes skin imperfections such as acne for example. Another benefit is that cold water makes your blood vessels constrict which reduces swelling and the appearance of dark circles under your eyes (where skin is at its thinnest). This provides you with a young, healthy glow.
3- Healthier hair
Cold water makes your hair look healthier and shinier. As a matter of fact, cool air makes your hair shinier too (that’s why there is a cool air button on your hair dryer). What the cold water does is that it closes the cuticle which makes the hair stronger and prevents dirt from easily accumulating within your scalp. Basically, the same principle with how it closes the pores of your skin as mentioned above. Stronger hair, of course, prevents hair from being easily pulled out when you are combing, and it helps in slowing down overall hair loss.
4- Mental benefits
There are plenty of mental benefits to ending your shower with cold water. The ancient samurai warriors used to pour buckets of cold river water on their heads every morning in a Shinto practice called Misogi. This was a purification ritual on a spiritual level. They believe that it cleansed their spirit and helped start a new day & new adventure fresh. Cold water obviously helps waking you up, which is what you want in the morning. Also, it energizes you and invigorates your entire being with the essence of life. Give it a try, you will definitely feel more alive! It can also lift you up if you are feeling a little down or unmotivated.
Ending your shower with cold water clearly has its advantages. Many benefits to cold showers, as you can see. I know this is something that can be very difficult for many people to do. The key is to not torture yourself. Go about it gradually. Start with a level of cold you can deal with, and slowly make it colder after each shower. As long as you get your feet wet (no pun intended!), and begin adding this routine at the end of your showers, you will be on your way to making a habit out of it and enjoy the benefits that this practice can bring you. Who knows, maybe you can avoid gray hair altogether like my friend! Maybe the fountain of youth is made up of very cold water?! 
Share
|
Want to read more about self improvement & motivation? Then you should subscribe to our
full RSS feed!
Receive all the latest articles directly to your email:
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
Wow! it is one of the good site i ever found….
I am going to put this to use tomorrow morning. I am not going in shy though, I am going to only keep the water warm while washing and then turn it completely cold for 5-10 minutes. I am also reading up more on your point #4. This sentence caught my eye “The ancient samurai warriors used to pour buckets of cold river water on their heads every morning in a Shinto practice called Misogi.”
Keep up the awesome articles. I’ve read all of your articles from the front page (well, most of them anyways) and I only found your site two days ago
Hi Mike
Thanks for your kind words! Good luck with the cold showers….it takes a little bit to get used to it, but after a few times, it becomes a habit and you don’t mind the cold anymore 
The Japanese have the longest average life span in the world, and they practice Misogi and they also take cold friction showers every morning. Also take note that its best to drink warm or hot liquids, rather then cold, especially during meals. A cold drink on and empty stomach is not so bad, but with food in your stomach the cold liquids can slow the digestions of fats and clog your system.
Great info!
I’ve been taking cold showers on and off for years now and just started (30 days ago) a 365 blog adventure, blogging my cold shower experiences every day.
Today, I plan to use your info as my post. So good!
Cheers!
j
This is a good tips. Thanks, i learn something new today. Tomorrow morning, cold shower…here i come…
My neighbor takes cold showers in the Winter and hot showers in the summer. That way when he gets out of the shower (in the winter for example) he feels warmer, since the room temperature is never as cold as his shower water.
Very odd.
Interesting post though!
i used to take cold showers all the time. First I just soaped up, without actually turning the shower on. To rinse myself, I got right in the shower, but did the rinsing quickly. I felt it invigorated me and made me healthier.
when i was lil my dad always insisted we (my sister and I) took a cold shower after a warm one before leaving the shower. I never saw the reason why. Though he didn’t explain much probably because we were too young to understand now I understand. Nice acrticle.
My skin is getting paler since I’ve been showering with cold water.
I love this!
I used to have a kind of yellowish-pink skin but now I love my skin, since I read that with every shower you take your tan will fade, but if it is with cold water it will fade even more.
And I always wanted a pale looking skin, so this is the best option!
Thank youuu!!!
All of our liberal politicians need to take a shower of ICE WATER to wake them all up their sleep walking all over the place
I live in America, I can cleanse my spirit with warm water.
Wow, I’m happy to have read this.
I’ve just taken a crash course in cold showers through martial arts training.
I’m from Montreal as well, and stepping into an already freezing shower with no more preparation other then breathing exercises… It was no picnic, lasted 5 minutes but felt like an eternity.
I came out, caught my breath, and felt invigorated and tight as ever.
I will start training myself with the gradual perspective to be ready for the next submersion.
this was very helpful and actually works
# 2 on your list seriously undermines the rest of this fine article—you see, your pores don’t actually expand or contract. This is terminology used by cosmetic companies; many products inflame the skin around your pours making them APPEAR smaller, while some reduce oiliness and have mica or other light diffusers in them to give your skin an airbrushed appearance. But after all is said and done, your pores are not any larger or smaller because of any product or beauty regimen.
I can attest to the benefits of cold showers, but this is not one of them.
I never know about the benefits before…thank you, I’ll do
I only ever have cold showers now as i find that not only is it good for my health and electricity bill, It also flushes toxins out of my body afterwards (runny nose) just blow your nose and you’ll feel fresh and clear headed.
TIP: if you have a stuffy nose and blocked head try to stay under the cold water for at least 3-5 minutes. Don’t worry, your body will produce its own heat after the first 10 seconds from jumping in.
In the morning, let the cold water flow on your forehead to wake you up! Before bed, let it run on your chin to help you relax and have a relaxing nights sleep.
That was a great post…I love this site…Thanks
i’ve been taking cold showers for over a year now. warm or hot water has not touch my body in a long while. Cold water is awesome. It helps my hair become stronger, reduce frizz, makes my curls more defined. my skin never gets dry, but this can also be because i dry brush everyday as well. i feel energized after, and i really believe it cleanse the soul as well. My eyes have become brighter, no more redness. My skin tone improved. The only thing is i am always hot. This can be a good thing. Like night time you do not get cold, but i am hot all the time. I guess because the body is working better. Cold showers are great!
I would support your theory of taking cold showers fully because I have been practicing that for years now. I have a warm water bath once in a while and the experience is exhilarating because i do it rarely. Cold water bath definitely has more benefits than a hot water bath as it basically makes you alert. An alert mind keeps your body tuned.
As the author of “Health20 – Tapping into the Healing Power of Water” (McGraw Hill 2007), I want to remind that there are many more health benefits of a cold shower than you list: improved immune system (less colds and perhaps even less cancer), in creased lung function, endocrine function, lowered blood pressure – the list is long.
I am grateful that you started the discussion!
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.
I have been using hot/cold shower for many years now and it is one medicine that people might not know about this is no joke, try it especially in the mornings.
I actually just went for a jog and came back home wanting a cold shower, did it and then looked up the benefits of a cold shower and this popped up. Im glad I found it too because I could really get use to taking cold showers. Thanks for the advise and keep up the good work!
LOL! my gas got shut off and I’ve been taking cold showers for about 4 days now. It’s still warm out so it’s no big deal, but I can’t imagine taking cold showers in the winter. Brrrr… But still, when I feel up to it, I’ll probably take a icy shower once in a while to get my energy up. Helps circulate the blood.
“Cool” article and comments. I’ve been thinking of trying this for some time and you lot have just given me the incentive. I’m still afraid though!
Ok,
Now, suggest me how to take a sudden cold water bath, coz, i have shifted to a new place in canada and i cant get my hands on a water heater.
Everytime i try it, the fear of getting bit by the cold bug drives me away from the shower.
PLZ help..
I took the same advice from a friend and have been taking cold showers for almost a year. Very pleased with the results. I’m only 18 aswell, and this time last year had horrible acne, but all that’s gone now. Now only that, but my skin feels smoother and hair looks shiny. It also does give you that extra bit of energy in the morning. Probably best to do as what it already says, which is take a hot shower for about 5 minutes (at least that’s what I do), and then turn the water to cold, then finish. It isn’t easy to take a cold shower however, especially in the winter, but your body does get used to it to an extent. Just start from slightly cold, then work your way up to getting it colder by the week or something. I’m not sure if going freezing cold would be alright, may even have more benefits, but I’m not sure. Just don’t put yourself in too much pain!
A nice read, and all four reasons could be true. Unfortunately, none are supported by any evidence. “This switching between hot and cold triggers better circulation in your blood by forcing the blood to move..” How does hot-cold force my blood te move? Is there any double-blind study supporting any of these claims?
mine are as cold as you can get. It’s very good for strengthening the mind. not to mention you feel really warm 5 minutes after you’re done.
I fight my depression with cold showers every day. It really changes the brain chemistry to the good. Remember – nobody in water is gloomy but smiling and cheering. That’ is not a theory, its a fact! Needs patience and courage to begin, thought. Highly recommended! It’s health!
that’s a really good point! It’s so true, no one is ever in water all gloomy and depressed…thank you for your message