Spa enthusiasts know that alternating a hot sauna with a cold shower is a widely accepted practice. In parallel, many people now prefer to replace the relaxing hot shower in the morning with the more extreme experience that cold water offers. It turns out that in both cases the choice is not wrong, and a number of scientific data testify to this.
According to studies, a cold shower not only invigorates more than a hot one but also has a more positive effect on several health aspects:
Stimulates the production of endorphins, which relieve pain in people with chronic diseases;
Improves blood circulation in the peripheral areas of the body – in the area of the skin, limbs, and brain;
Strengthens the immune system;
People who regularly replace a hot shower in the morning with a cold one are really “harder” and resistant to typical winter health problems. And the statistics confirm this – they show that these people are less likely to be absent from work for health reasons. The reason for this is the direct positive effect of the cold shower on the immune system. Cold water stimulates the secretion of stress hormones that activate the immune system and keep it on alert. With a regular cold shower, the immune system is kept active for a correspondingly longer time.
According to the experts, a cold shower is an ideal way to start the day invigorated. Research shows that its energizing effect is comparable to that of coffee but with direct health benefits included.
The effect of a cold shower in the morning was also followed directly by a group of volunteers in the Netherlands suffering from chronically cold extremities. The condition is characteristic of patients with various health problems – Raynaud’s syndrome, peripheral vascular diseases with worsened limb swelling, varicose veins, etc.
Cold showers have been found to bring relief from symptoms when used regularly over a long period of time. Despite the temporary discomfort from the cold water, 91% of the participants in the study declared their willingness to continue to rely on it regularly.
The healthful effects of a cold shower also have secondary benefits. It enhances the activity of the so-called brown adipose tissue that generates heat to maintain body temperature, burning more calories. In addition, the stimulating effect of a cold shower on blood circulation helps to recover faster after fitness training or more serious physical exertion. Finally, dousing with cold water also has a beneficial effect on the skin. It tightens the pores and reduces the risk of retaining dirt particles in them, which can provoke inflammation, exacerbation of acne, dermatitis, and other skin problems.