You may have heard about the benefits of cold showers and baths (Lebron James, Katherine Hepburn, Tony Robbins, etc.), but have you ever actually taken the plunge and tried it yourself?
Yes, it’s scary and hard, but the benefits are amazing! The self-mastery it takes to step into an icy shower or bath is part of why it’s so beneficial. Overcoming this fear gives you energy and willpower for the rest of the day, allowing you to overcome other hard and scary things throughout the day.
5 Amazing Benefits of Cold Showers
1. Increased Willpower
There is a lot of research that demonstrates that taking a cold bath or shower will increase your willpower for the rest of the day. If you want to boost productivity and get more done, take a cold shower!
Since willpower is strongest in the morning, we recommend taking a cold shower or bath first thing when you wake up.
2. Reduce Inflammation and Soothe Sore Muscles
Cold water can reduce pain, sore muscles, and inflammation after a workout. It’s scientifically proven and why you see so many athletes taking ice baths after a big game or workout. Instead of taking pain pills, follow the lead of people like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James by taking a post-workout shower or bath in ice-cold water.
3. Improve Skin and Hair
There is evidence out there that says cold water will reduce hair loss and frizz, while improving shine and leaving skin tighter, and less wrinkly. Save on expensive skin and hair products by using cold water to wash your face and hair.
4. Lose Weight
When you take a cold shower, your body goes into “shock mode.” This causes your heart to race and your breath to quicken. You’ll probably start shivering and moving around in a cold water dance to stay warm. This will boost your metabolism as your body struggles to stay warm, burning calories and boosting your metabolism in the long run.
A 2009 study has shown that cold water can promote “brown fat,” the good fat that helps eliminate “white fat,” which is the kind you want to get rid of.
5. Reduce Stress and Boost Happiness
A 2007 study shows that cold showers can help treat depression, reduce stress, and boost happiness. While we can’t explain all of the scientific reasons for it, it has something to do with “the dopaminergic transmission in the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal pathway.” Basically, the cold water effects the areas of the brain that have to do with mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
The next time you feel your mind spiraling out of control, take a cold shower. You’ll instantly forget about your worries and start to feel more energetic and happier. Routine cold showers or baths can play a vital role in managing your stress and depression. For more information, read “Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression.”
There is also evidence that cold showers and baths boosts memory and reduces tension and fatigue.
Don’t Forget About Water and Cost Savings
In addition to all of the health benefits of cold showers, don’t forget about all the water and energy you will be saving. Cold showers obviously won’t last as long as hot showers, which may convince you to stay in there for 30 minutes or more.
Also, since the hot water tank won’t need to reheat any more water, you’ll save on fuel costs and never have to worry about anyone in your family complaining about all the hot water being gone. This can save you from having to invest in a larger water heater to please your household.
Regardless of if you have the willpower to take cold showers, it’s still a good idea to save on water heating costs by lowering the standby temperature to 120 degrees. According to the U.S. EPA, you can save around 4%-22% annually on your water heating bill by turning the water heater thermostat from 140ºF to a safer and more energy-efficient 120ºF.
For expert water heater maintenance, repair, and replacement service, don’t hesitate to contact On-Time Service.
