We know it costs, especially in winter, but showering with cold water has a number of health benefits that make lowering the temperature of the water when entering the shower highly recommended. In addition, with cold water the showers are shorter, being a good measure to consume fewer liters with each shower.
Surely you will have seen athletes get into ice-cold water baths after training on more than one occasion, or you will have noticed that there are cold-water baths in Spas. This is not by chance or for pleasure, but because it has been shown that it is good to shower with cold water, both for the skin and for the muscles, and also for our body.
And no, not only in summer, because the really beneficial thing is to shower with cold water in winter. What used to be an act of bravery will surely cease to be as soon as you find out how getting into a low-temperature bathtub can help you.
Therefore, below, we are going to show you the main benefits of showering with cold water that will make you think about your next shower.
For all this it is good to shower with cold water:
1. Strengthens the immune system
One of the benefits of cold water baths is that they strengthen our body’s immune system, activating it and keeping it alert to any external aggression such as bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that can be harmful.
A study carried out by the magazine Plos One among around 3,000 people for a month showed us that taking a daily cold shower of at least 30 seconds reduces conditions, and the proof is that the number of sick leave during this time is reduced by 29%.
2. Speeds up muscle recovery
The reason for bathing in cold water after exercising is that the low temperature of the water accelerates muscle recovery, since cold has an anti-inflammatory effect. For this reason, cold water baths are part of the routine of elite athletes, especially after the most intense workouts.
In addition to the refreshing effect, cold water, by accelerating recovery, reduces discomfort and the risk of injury due to fibrillar micro-tears or overloads. If you think about it, the first thing we do when we hit ourselves is apply ice to the area.
3. Activate circulation
One of the main advantages of showering with cold water is that it activates blood circulation, since cold favors the contraction of blood vessels, which helps blood to flow more fluidly, providing a greater amount of oxygen and nutrients to each body. One of the cells present in our body.
The effect of cold water increases the heart rate moderately, which is highly beneficial for cardiovascular health.
4. Clear and tone
There is nothing better to clear your mind than a good cold shower and, if you don’t believe it, try taking a shower with cold water as soon as you get out of bed. You will see how in a matter of minutes you are fully activated and full of energy to face the day ahead.
To this we must add that cold water showers also tone up, since when the water comes into contact with our body, the nervous system is automatically activated, which causes our body to react trying to counteract the contrast, causing rapid revitalization. of the whole organism.
5. It is good for the skin and also for the hair
We assure you that if you shower with cold water daily, the condition of your skin will improve enormously, because low-temperature water is very beneficial for the dermis, favoring its firmness and elasticity.
Likewise, cold water also protects the hair and keeps it hydrated, being an excellent option to avoid damaging it, to combat frizz and keep it stronger. It should also be noted that it helps prevent other hair problems such as dandruff, since very hot water can irritate and damage the scalp.
6. Improves mood and concentration
By activating the body, cold showers improve both mood and concentration, stimulating the brain and causing it to generate a greater amount of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are two important neurotransmitters that are directly involved in attention span and memory. as well as sleep regulation.
7. Fight cellulite and fluid retention
To finish with the benefits of showering with cold water, note that it is an excellent remedy against cellulite and fluid retention, favoring the proper functioning of the lymphatic system, which is responsible for eliminating fluids, fats and toxins from our body. organism.
After knowing all these benefits, surely you are seriously considering the possibility of taking cold showers. An advice? As we know that it can be complicated, especially if we are not used to it, start by giving yourself contrast showers, combining hot water with cold water, so that the body gets used to it. The ideal is to finish the bath with a jet of cold water for at least 30 seconds.