As part of our low carb Mediterranean life, we try to focus on healthy lifestyle tips. In our modern days rarely, anyone considers that taking a cold shower is a nice experience. People subconsciously cringe at the idea of being cold in any way and avoid that unpleasant experience. But they don’t understand that being cold now and then can actually have highly positive and beneficial effects on the body and the overall health. There are potential benefits outweighing the short term “jolt” of discomfort when taking an ice-cold shower.
Benefits of a Cold Shower
Therapeutic and Recuperative Benefits
Cold showers/ bathes are used for treating injuries such as strained muscles and broken bones. You’ll find athletes today taking ice baths to speed their recovery from injuries and intense workouts.
Reduces Stress
There are many natural ways to reduce stress; a cold shower is one of them. Along with increasing your adaptation to stressful situations, a cold shower will lower levels of uric acid, and boost levels of Glutathione in your blood making you less stressed in general.
Better Looking Skin
The cold shower is among many natural ways to keep your skin looking young and beautiful. Cold water tightens and improves the elasticity of your skin. Closed pores will prevent them from being easily clogged by dirt and oil. It is possible to reduce skin imperfections and blemishes such as acne. Your blood vessels constrict in cold water reducing swelling and the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.
Healthier Hair
Cold water makes your hair look healthier and shinier. The cold shower is one of the best natural ways to prevent hair loss. Cold water closes the cuticle making the hair stronger. It also prevents dirt from easily accumulating within your scalp.
Increases Fertility in Men
Some causes of infertility can’t be prevented or avoided. But both men and women can take steps to increase their chances of pregnancy. The cold shower is one of the best natural ways to increase fertility in men. Cooler temperatures on the testicles raise sperm count. Too much cold water for too long would be counterproductive.
Weight Loss
Most people don’t really know this, but there are 2 types of fat in your body, white and brown fat. White fat is bad. It’s the body fat that we all hate so much while brown fat is good. Brown fat is activated when taking a cold shower and this result in an increase in energy and calories burned to keep your body warm.
Cold Shower Wakes You Up
It’s not like a shot of espresso. It’s more of a polar plunge that zaps you out of your slumber at an instant. By the same token, cold showers before bed knock you out like an elephant-tranquilizer and improve the quality of your sleep.
Precautions
Do not consider implementing a cold shower regiment if you have:
Heart disease: the sudden shock/jolt to the system could trigger a heart attack.
High blood pressure: Contracting the blood vessels could cause a stroke.
Overheated or feverish: Your blood vessels need to dilate in order to release heat. Cold water causes them to constrict.
Remember, don’t just jump into a cold shower; start off with warm water, and gradually decrease the temperature. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a cold shower in shorter doses such as 3-5 minutes. It’s supposed to be therapeutic not self-torture.