A cold shower is not only refreshing in summer
Think of a hot summer's day. You have the day off, the sun is shining and it keeps getting warmer. At some point you need to cool down. A garden shower is the quickest solution. At first the water is still warm, but after a short time it turns ice cold. Even so, there are few nicer showers than one in the open air on a sunny day. But you can feel the effects of a cold shower not only in high summer. More and more people now take ice-cold showers regularly, because many find that it invigorates both body and mind. It is important to prepare properly for cold showers and to know what you can realistically expect.
How to get used to cold showers gradually
Taking cold showers does not, of course, mean that you should only ever shower with cold water. After all, personal hygiene usually plays an important part in showering. Soap, shampoo and shower gel work best and clean most effectively with warm water. A warm or even hot shower can also have a pleasant effect on the body. With cold showers, the first step is to change your habits slowly. So take a little time to work your way up to a cold shower.
It makes sense to start by trying lukewarm showers. Take a completely normal shower and turn the temperature down a little once you have finished washing. Reduce the temperature bit by bit. It takes a few days to get used to this, after which you will no longer find lukewarm showers unpleasant. You can then start lowering the temperature further until you reach completely cold water.
What to bear in mind when taking a cold shower
Always let the water run over your arms and legs first. Your upper body and head should be the last parts to come into contact with the cold water. Especially while you are getting used to it, it is important to bear a few points in mind when taking a cold shower. On the one hand, this makes it easier to get used to, and on the other hand, it protects your health.
- Do not switch too quickly from a warm to a cold shower. In some cases this can cause circulation problems. If you feel dizzy or notice other symptoms, raise the temperature slightly and sit down on the floor of the shower.
- Especially at the beginning, stand under the cold shower for no more than 60 seconds. You can extend this time gradually.
What cold showers can do
Many people are convinced that a cold shower is good for them. Just think how good an ice bath feels after a sauna. Not to forget the water you save, because the colder the water, the shorter the time you spend in the shower. Regular cold showers may offer even more benefits. Many people find a cold shower beneficial both physically and mentally. If you shower cold regularly, you may well notice the difference. Among the possible benefits of a cold shower, it is often said that cold showers:
- may support the immune system
- may activate brown fat tissue
- may have an anti-inflammatory effect
- may help to lift low mood
- may stimulate blood circulation
- may reduce sore muscles after exercise
- may tone the skin
- feel refreshing and mentally invigorating
The benefits of a cold shower in detail
Let us first look at the physical effects of cold showers, which show why many people make cold showers a regular habit. Let us start with blood circulation. In the cold, the blood vessels in the body contract, and they relax again when you warm up afterwards. In this way, cold showers can regularly train the blood vessels, much like exercise trains the muscles. Many people find that this increases their sense of wellbeing, and it is often said that it may also help to prevent varicose veins. Cold showers may also support the immune system. Some scientific studies, for example, have found that cold showers can activate white blood cells more strongly. These are responsible for fighting off invading viruses and bacteria. In one study, people who took cold showers took up to 30 percent fewer days off sick. Cold showers may also help with sore muscles. They may not only reduce the development of sore muscles, but also help when your muscles are already aching. For this, however, a longer shower is needed, as this effect only sets in as the cold stimulus increases.
The psychological benefits of a cold shower
Besides the many physical effects of cold showers, the psychological benefits should not be overlooked either. They also play an important part in the effect of a cold shower. For one thing, regular cold showers strengthen your willpower. Since you have to push yourself every time you take a cold shower, you leave your comfort zone for a while every day and overcome your inner resistance. This experience can make it easier to face other unpleasant situations in everyday life. Particularly interesting is that many people find a cold shower helpful when they are feeling low. The cold stimulus activates various nerve areas in the brain that are responsible, among other things, for positive feelings and a sense of happiness. This means that more feel-good hormones may be released, so a cold shower may help to lift your mood. It is not a substitute for medical treatment.
Make a cold shower part of your daily routine
The many possible benefits of a cold shower speak for themselves. If you can, you may want to give cold showers a try. Try to include a cold shower in your normal routine. This means that every time you shower, you spend a certain amount of time getting used to the cold water and then enjoying it. You can gradually extend the duration. It is important to stick to a routine, as this is the only way your body can effectively get used to the cold stimulus and benefit from it in the long term.
Targeted cold training can make a real difference
By deliberately training your body with cold showers, you may notice clear benefits. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, reduced sensitivity to cold is a point not to be underestimated. With regular cold stimuli, your body will become noticeably more robust over time. For example, you will not feel the cold as much outdoors and will generally be less sensitive to lower temperatures. Many people also find that they catch fewer colds and recover more quickly. Regular cold showers, whether in the garden shower or a complete shower cabin, can have a noticeable, positive influence on your daily life.
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