As I was sitting in my room pondering about topics for my blogs, I seemed to hit a mental roadblock. I decided to hop in a shower and think about different topics. For the past two weeks my house has not had hot water since my roommates and I have yet to call the gas company and have them turn on the hot water. The second I stepped in the shower my topic hit me like a ton of bricks. With all the cold showers I have been taking I wondered if there were certain benefits related to taking a cold shower. Before researching this topic, I assumed hot showers were the most beneficial since its the norm to reach for that red-colored nozzle and indulge in the warmth of the water running out the spout. I mean who in their right mind wants to bathe in frigid water? It’s known showering plays a huge part in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but does the temperature of the shower actually correlate to your health? After researching this topic, I can confidently say that when you take your next shower you might think twice about which way you turn that nozzle.
Initially, I thought to believe there were no benefits correlated to taking a cold shower. As a kid I was taught to take a warm shower because it was relaxing. I also knew that it was soothing and could help relax stiff muscles. On top of those benefits I also knew that a hot shower could act as a natural decongestant, relieving cold symptoms and clearing nasal passages. But when it came to a cold shower I knew of nothing. As I delved in deeper to the health aspects of cold showers I realized there were numerous benefits.
“Who doesn’t feel a bit groggy when they take that first step out of bed? This is something everyone struggles with, but if you’d like to put some pep in your step first thing in the a.m., take a cold shower before you go to work. When cold water pours over your body, your breathing deepens in response to the shock of the cold (this is your body trying to keep you warm by increasing overall oxygen intake). Your heart rate will also increase, resulting in a rush of blood through your body that will help you get energized for the day.” Besides the immediate energy boost or alertness that cold showers give you, there are far more scientifically proven benefits a cold shower provides. Are you looking to trim that waistline by a couple pounds but hate the thought of exercising? Just convert to cold showers since they help burn fat. You might be thinking that is impossible, but it isn’t. There are two kinds of fat in your body, white fat and brown fat. White fat is the bad fat and brown fat is the good fat. When our calorie intake is greater than our energy output, those extra calories are stored as white fat usually around your waistline. Brown fat is activated by extreme cold which burns calories to try to keep you warm. Scandinavian Researchers helped discover the science behind this. Cold Showers also strengthen immunity and circulation. “Cold showers speed up your metabolic rate, which helps you lose fat. The increase of this rate activates your immune system, which releases virus-fighting white blood cells that will help you get sick less frequently. Cold showers also increase your overall blood circulation, which can help you avoid hypertension and the hardening of arteries.” Cold showers also help you maintain attractive skin and hair. Hot showers tend to dry out your skin while cold showers tighten your pores and help prevent clogging. Cold showers close your cuticles which prevents dirt piling up in your scalp.
After reading this, I hope that next time you take a shower you take into account everything I have written about. Ditch that warm luxury shower and try out the daunting cold water, it can only benefit you.
SOURCES:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/23419-hot-shower-benefits/
http://impossiblehq.com/cold-shower-health-benefits/
http://www.cold-showers.com/a-doctors-view-on-cold-showers/
This is a cool topic that everyone can relate to. I never thought that cold showers could strengthen your immune system or help you lose weight. I honestly never thought that it mattered if you took a cold or hot shower. Do we take hot showers because it is more sanitary? I remember always being told that it’s more sanitary to wash my hands with warm water and soap, so shouldn’t the same rule apply for showers? But also according to this website, hot showers dry out your skin. So, I think that there are benefits and downsides to each case.
Before reading this, I knew that the hotter the water was when you showered, the more hair is likely to fall out. But I never would have guessed that cold showers are also a way to burn excess calories in your body. If there were to be follow ups on this topic, it would probably be about what water temperature is the perfect temperature for your health.
When I first started reading your post, I was in awe because I was always told that taking cold showers was bad for your health. I’m not sure where I read or heard this, but it was interesting to see from your research that cold showers may actually be better for you. It was really interesting to see that cold showers can as you mentioned, “strengthen immunity and circulation,” “speed up your metabolic rate,” and even “increase your overall blood circulation.” I suppose there could be benefits to both cold and hot showers, but I did not even think to look into the benefits of cold ones. The question that I had after reading this article why was it assumed that hot showers are the norm? Who first made it a universal thought that showers should be with hot water? Is it because hot water is known to kill more bacteria and dirt?