Are Cold Showers Worth It?

6 Benefits and 3 Disadvantages

Today, the cold shower has somehow become a trend. It is not only a question of hygiene but also of benefits for the immune system, productivity, relaxation, etc…

I’ve been taking cold showers every day for almost a year now (although I’ve taken a few “hot shower” breaks in between), and I’m going to try to express how I feel about it.

Benefits

1. Cold Resistance

Maybe the most obvious. Taking cold showers can improve your cold resistance. Whether in the shower or outside, taking cold showers will probably make you less sensitive to the cold.

I can now easily go outside uncovered, and even swim in relatively cold water (10°C) without any problem. Of course, the temperature difference should not be too great. For example, I am not sure that my body would regulate well if I tried to swim in water at 3°C.

2. Productivity

It’s not a myth, cold showers make you more productive. Why?

First, you save time. Instead of waiting for the water to heat, and then taking your time under the shower, you can directly go under the shower no matter the temperature. And as it’s cold and not as comfortable as when the water is hot, you want to leave the shower as soon as possible, so you don’t waste time.

Then, cold showers make you feel more energized. Indeed, when cold water hits your skin, it’s like a shock triggering another way of breathing. The way you breathe under cold water is different from the way you breathe under warm water, which results in an oxygenation boost to your body.

3. Mental Boost

Let’s not lie, starting the day with a cold shower is hard. That’s why on some days, I just don’t want to take a cold shower. But once you’ve done it, you feel so happy to have achieved such a thing.

Cold showers take you out of your comfort zone and help you build self-discipline, strengthening your mind and your body.

4. Loss of Weight

When your body is exposed to cold temperatures, it consumes fat to generate heat. Exposure to cold water allows you to burn calories without moving, just by taking your shower!

5. Reduce Stress

Exposing your body to cold temperatures can lower levels of uric acid and boost production of glutathione, which helps reduce oxidative stress.

But it’s hard to take a cold shower when you’re stressed because the easiest way to relax always remains the hot shower.

6. Boost the Immune System

It’s not something I’ve noticed, but in doing some research I found that studies have shown that cold showers help improve the immune system.

I must admit that I have had very few illnesses this year, but it would be hasty to say that this is related to cold showers.

That were all the benefits I’ve seen myself while taking cold showers for almost a year now. But, there are not only benefits I think.

Disadvantages

1. Productivity Paradox

I have noticed one thing about cold showers that may counter the point about productivity. It is so hard sometimes to take cold showers, that you wait in the shower and hesitate. It almost becomes an ordeal.

At that point, cold showers become counterproductive. The key is not to hesitate.

2. Paradox of the Immune System

Another paradox: cold showers boost your immune system, but at the same time they can make you sick.

Indeed, a few times after taking a cold shower, I ended up with a slight cold that lasted a few days. It’s not a big deal, but it’s still very present.

Also, I guess if you are initially sick, cold showers can slow down the healing process.

3. Heart Conditions

If you have heart conditions, I would not recommend taking cold showers. Indeed, the shock generated when cold water hits your body can quickly increase your heart rate, which is not a good thing for everyone.

Get Started with Cold Showers

Maybe after reading my story, you want to start cold showers, but don’t know how to do it.

The first thing to know is that it is necessary to go gradually. Indeed, it will be a lot better if you don’t go from a 38°C shower to a 0°C shower, but instead, you can try 35°C showers, then 30°C showers, etc…

Also, go gradually in the time you are exposed to cold water. You can start with a few seconds, then 10 seconds, then 20, 30, etc…

Some people will say it’s good to start with hot water, then turn the temperature to cold. I don’t think it’s good as it makes the shower harder, because you go from hot water to cold water, instead of going from the temperature of the ambient air to cold water. The difference is bigger.

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