How Does A Cold Shower Influences Body Temperature and Health

 

When it comes to showers, people mostly pick hot showers over cold ones. It’s a perfectly common choice. After all, the warm water feels so much better when you’re winding down. It’s calming and definitely relaxing when you just got home from a long and tiring day.

 

But did you know that cold showers have their benefits as well and they can even be better to the body in many ways?

 

We break down 8 health benefits of cold showers and how cold showers can influence body temperature and functions. 

Cold showers increase blood flow and circulation.

A cold shower can be uncomfortable but it can be beneficial to your blood circulation. When cold water hits your skin, your body’s first response is to regulate your temperature. From here, your body starts working harder to maintain its core temperature and increases your blood flow and circulation to keep your body warm.

 

Boosting your blood circulation is important because this process maintains the healthy distribution of oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. This leads to even more health benefits like better injury recovery and better brain activity, among many others.

Cold showers reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

While hot showers sound like a good idea when you’re nursing post-workout muscle soreness, cold showers actually provide faster relief and recovery. In fact, athletes were found to recover from fatigue and muscle soreness better when they were immersed in cold water.

 

It is important, however, to cool down after a workout before hopping in a cold shower. This gives your body enough time to bring down your body’s temperature first and reduce muscle stiffness. To be sure you don’t shock your sore muscles, start your shower with lukewarm water, and then gradually lower the temperature as your body adjusts to the coolness.

 

While perfect to relieve post-workout aches, cold showers are not treatments to injuries. For these cases, it is best to consult your emergency healthcare provider.

Cold showers can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Cold showers do not just improve your bodily functions. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety. More studies are needed to prove this, but early research results show that cold water immersion (and showers) can help improve mental health. The results suggest that cold showers regulate mood and endorphins and decrease cortisol, or the stress hormone.

Cold showers are good for your hair.

You’ve probably heard that hot showers are not good for your hair.It strips your hair of its natural oils and opens up your hair pores and cuticles that leads to frizz and brittleness. 

 

Cold showers do the opposite. They keep the moisture in your hair by locking your hair cuticles and pores. This results in shinier and healthier hair. Cold showers also decrease any inflammation in your scalp and hair follicles so you get healthier scalp and stronger hair.

Cold showers are good for your skin.

Like hot water on your hair, hot showers can also strip your skin of its natural oils and leave your pores open. Cold showers do the opposite.

 

Because cold showers improve blood flow and circulation, they give a healthy glow to your skin. With better oxygen and nutrient distribution throughout the body, your skin also gets the proper nourishment it needs to improve its texture and complexion.

Cold showers help with weight loss by burning fat.

Cold showers boost burning of fat. This idea isn’t new. In fact, the idea that cold water helps in weight loss has been around for decades.

 

In a study done in 1985, men who had cold baths lost more weight.Meanwhile, in another study in 2014, the metabolic rate of mammals exposed to the cold increased as well. This was attributed to the body generating more heat to regulate the core body temperature, therefore activating fat burning.

Cold showers help you sleep better at night.

Showers before bed are generally a matter of preference. Many people would choose warm baths or hot showers before bed time because it relaxes the mind and the body.

 

Cold showers, on the other hand, get a bad rap for being uncomfortable. However, cold showers aren't that bad and can even help you get better sleep.

 

Taking cold showers helps your body regulate temperature.Normally, our body’s temperature drops when we sleep. When you introduce a lower temperature during a pre-bedtime shower, you signal to your brain that your body is getting ready for rest.

Cold showers give you a boost of energy in the morning.

Cold showers are the best pick-me-ups in the morning. The cold temperature jolts your system awake, increasing energy levels and alertness. It also promotes release of endorphins which are your happy hormones, and improves your mood throughout the day.

 

It might seem uncomfortable to start your day with a cold shower,but it can be a game changer if you want to see an improvement in your morning energy levels.

 

Takeaway

Hot showers are popular and most often preferred to start or end a day. Meanwhile, cold showers can be very underrated. However, it has been proven for centuries that cold baths and showers actually have more mental and physical benefits than you would expect.

 

Cold showers boost your metabolism, energy levels, and even make you feel and look good. It is important to remember however, that while cold showers are suggested to improve overall health, they do not treat certain health conditions or injuries.

 

In case of injuries or medical emergencies, showers — whether hot or cold — can only do so much. It is best to contact Kingwood ER or your nearest emergency healthcare provider.