After 30 days of cold showers, most individuals report feeling more alert, having more energy, having healthier skin and hair, improved mental health and resilience, improved circulation, and more.
The shock of cold water can stimulate the blood cells that fight off infection (leukocytes). One study in the Netherlands found that people who switched to cold showers for 30, 60, or 90 seconds for 90 days called out sick from work 29% less than people who didn't switch to cold showers.
Taking cold showers for a week may improve blood circulation, energy, immunity, and skin health, while reducing muscle soreness and inflammation.
Keep it short: When first trying cold showers, aim to spend no more than 30 seconds under the cold water. You can increase the time as your body adapts. Ease in: Instead of jumping into a cold shower, start with the water warm, then gradually adjust the temperature downwards.
According to a study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, taking cold showers for two to three minutes, once or twice a day (preceded by a five-minute 'adjustment period' of slowly cooling water) could help to relieve symptoms of depression.
Cold showers and exposure to cold temperatures have been shown to increase testosterone levels, which can indirectly impact sperm count. Higher levels of testosterone can stimulate sperm production and increase the motility of sperm, which can improve overall sperm count.
It turns out that ultimately, no, a cold shower isn't bad for you. If anything, cold showers have proven to have many benefits, from increasing your mood, aiding weight loss, and increasing immunity.
My commitment for this 30-day experiment was simple: expose myself to cold water everyday for 30 days in the form of a cold shower or bath, and stay in for at least a consecutive two minutes. That's it. The definition for cold based on research for cold therapy is anything less than 59oF/15oC.
Cold exposure helps boost metabolism and fat burning, but the effects of a cold shower are minimal. Sure, a cold shower might help you burn a few more extra calories and keep you more alert, but it is not a long term, effective solution for weight loss.
May Boost Your Mood
Past research reveals that submerging your body in cold water increases dopamine concentrations by 250 percent. Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone because of the key role it plays in regulating mood, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Lukewarm water is advisable to wash your face with, but cold water has its benefits, too. Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed. It also helps boost your circulation, which can help give your skin a healthier appearance, albeit temporarily.
Ice Baths Are Better than Cold Showers for Workout Recovery
A recent meta-analysis found that the most effective protocol is 11-15 degrees C (50-60 degrees F) for 11-15 minutes. Ice Baths will be more effective than a cold shower in this sense, partly due to your own confidence and conviction.
Plus, a cold shower can boost sperm count. A recent study from the University of California at San Francisco found that men who were exposed to 30 minutes of “wet heat” (so showers and baths) per week that they stopped this practice saw their sperm count increase by 491%.
Ice-cold water drink for the long run, reduced sperm count and sperm progressive motility; increased the percentage of non-motile sperm; changed normal morphology of sperm and destroyed Sertoli and Leydig cells.
So, can ice baths improve sperm production? Not quite. There is no evidence that short-term cooling of your testicles, whether you're using an ice bath or ice pack, will reverse the impact of heating them at other times. A 2021 case study looked at the impact of wearing “cooling underwear,” such as Snowballs.
After 30 days of cold showers, most individuals report feeling more alert, having more energy, having healthier skin and hair, improved mental health and resilience, improved circulation, and more. From my viewpoint, I noticed an increase in morning alertness every single day.
If 30 seconds of cold seems like an eternity, we invite you to give it a try. Actually, 30 seconds is about the amount of time it takes to get every bit of the body exposed to the cold water, including underarms, hair, face, and harder to reach areas. Before you know it—boom— you're done.
The cold causes the blood vessels to contract and pushes up blood pressure. Both cold and hot showers are additional shock factors that the body has trouble getting adjusted to and should be avoided. The ideal way is to go for the middle ground and go for lukewarm water.
In a clinical trial, researchers found that taking a cold shower for up to five minutes once or twice daily can help relieve symptoms of depression. Cold showers can also help clear your mind and combat overwhelm by decreasing your heart rate.
Cold showers might not improve sleep because of cold water's stimulating properties. Cold water immersion raises levels of cortisol and norepinephrine. View Source . Cortisol is involved in boosting alertness levels, and consequently, cortisol levels.
Additionally, cold water can help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores, making skin look smoother and more even. It can also help reduce inflammation and puffiness, which can be especially beneficial if you suffer with sensitive or acne-prone skin.