Most of us hate the thought of taking a cold shower so much that we’ll call for repairs the moment the water heater starts breaking down. But others do it on purpose for the benefit of their health, skin, hair, and energy. Think you can handle a frigid shower first thing tomorrow morning? If so, these are some of the perks that may await you:
Increased Alertness
If you shower in the morning, a couple of minutes under the cold water may wake you up more effectively than a double espresso. It’s not just the shock of the cold that snaps you awake -- it’s also the way your body responds to help keep you warm. In cold temperatures, your body will stimulate longer, deeper breaths so you can take in more oxygen, and it will increase your heart rate to assist with blood flow. Under a cold shower, you’re unlikely to feel the warming sensation these responses are designed to create, but you’ll definitely notice the extra spring in your step.
Immune System Boost
Another side effect of the blood circulation boost you’ll get from a cold shower is that your white blood cells will start coursing through your body. If you’re feeling a little under the weather, this little kick to your natural disease-fighting system may help you fight those symptoms even faster. The circulatory workout also benefits your health by giving your heart safe exercise, clearing out your arteries and lowering your blood pressure.
Fat Burning
We’re still not done with all the fringe benefits of your body working hard to keep your warm -- it may even help you lose weight. The fuel your body uses to keep you warm is fat, which gets burned up in the process. So if you want to get your metabolism moving, keep the workout going by stepping under the cold water after hitting the gym.
Vibrant Skin and Hair
Hot showers feel great, but they can dry out your skin. Cold showers, on the other hand, may make your skin look better than ever by tightening your pores. If you have oily skin or acne, this could be a game-changing part of your skincare routine. As for your hair, cold water can help flatten out the strands so that they appear shinier, and can promote follicle strength and overall scalp health.
Soothing Muscle Pain
One of the reasons why professional athletes take ice baths after training is because it soothes tired muscles. A cold shower can offer the same benefits and is especially useful for minimizing the intensity of delayed muscle soreness. Try cold showers after your workouts for a week and see if you can tell the difference.
Cold showers aren’t for everyone, but if you ease into it, you might find that it’s not so hard and that the benefits even outweigh the unpleasantness. Even if you don’t like your showers cold from start to finish, you can get some of the benefits -- like tight pores and shiny hair -- by simply switching from hot to cold for the last minute or so of your shower.
Of course, if you’re taking an unplanned cold shower, that’s another story. Call up your local Benjamin Franklin for maintenance, replacement or emergency repairs for your home’s hot water heater. Contact us today at (800) 259-7705!
