I’ve been enduring cold showers for over three years now. Among the benefits I’ve noticed are better skin, improved circulation, and less stress at work. In this article, I explain how I eased myself into this punishing daily habit and how you can do the same.
How Cold Is a Cold Shower?
There are two schools of thought as to what constitutes a cold shower.
One is that the water need only feel uncomfortably cool. The other is that the temperature should be below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).
Thermometers that attach to the shower system are available, but I’ve never bothered with them. I shower as cold as the tap serves, which I figure must be cold enough.
My Previous Experience with Cold Water
As a teenager, I enjoyed swimming in the sea, even when it was icy. To overcome the cold, I’d wade out to about waist depth, then lurch forward and take the plunge.
Getting the shock over with quickly allowed my body to acclimatize within a matter of seconds.
It was the same at our local sports center; after a sauna, I’d jump into the ice bath barely noticing the cold.
But this all changed.
I haven’t attempted to swim in the sea since my early twenties. And although I’ve been to the sauna a few times, I skip the cold dip.
Following a thrombosis of my lower left leg in 2017, I couldn’t even bring myself to follow my doctor’s advice and run cold water over it for a few minutes when taking a shower.
Had a comfortable life made me fragile?
How I Stepped Out of My Comfort Zone
It was a YouTube influencer. I don’t remember his name because I watch so many. But he got me thinking.
He claimed that cold exposure activates brown adipose tissue, the type of fat responsible for generating heat to maintain core temperature. According to him, this process burns calories and could help reduce waist circumference. With a daily cold shower, anyone could benefit from it.
I don’t have a beer gut, but I do have a slight paunch. It’s not noticeable under clothing, and with light exercise and a sensible diet I keep it in check. Still, I wondered whether cold showers might help me get rid of it completely.
After doing some research of my own, I eventually decided to give it a try.
Getting Started
I started during the summer when I was showering lukewarm, anyway. It meant that easing myself into truly cold water wouldn’t take as long. In winter I enjoyed steamy showers, which would have made it more difficult if not impossible.
On the first day, I showered warm but finished cool. I could see from the dial that this was nowhere near the coldest setting.
On the following days, I turned the temperature down a little more.
After five days, I managed the coldest setting, sustaining it for about 20 seconds.
I got out of the shower in a state of elation, determined never to bother with warm water again.
My Cold Shower Routine
This is how I’ve been showering ever since:
- Upon entering the shower, I turn on the cold tap and direct the water at my back, which is the most cold-sensitive area of my body. This gets the shock over with quickly—remember the story of how I swam in the cold sea as a teenager? Slow, deep breathing can help at this stage.
- Once thoroughly wet, I turn the water off and soap myself down.
- I then rinse away the lather allowing the cold water to flow over me for as long as I can. Apparently, a cold shower need only be applied from the shoulders down, but I like to include my head. During this time, I floss my teeth with an oral douche, which takes my mind off the discomfort.
- Stepping out of the shower, my skin is pink, but I don’t feel cold.
As you’ve no doubt gathered, it is not a pleasant experience. But the exhilaration that follows makes it worthwhile.
This exuberance is a result of shock, which increases both oxygen intake and heart rate.
I also have a cold shave before stepping into the shower, which works as a sort of “warm-up.”
Benefits I’ve Noticed Since Showering Cold
The medical profession is undecided on many of the alleged benefits of cold showers, but here are those I’ve noticed.
Mental
- I’ve never been a morning person, but since introducing cold showers into my routine, I leave for the office raring to go, believing I’m capable of anything.
- I’m more focused and alert, which automatically hikes up productivity.
- I’m calmer. I work methodically and steadily without feeling stressed, even when under pressure. Nothing seems to faze me.
There are two factors at play here. Firstly, cold water stimulates the release of endorphins (“happy hormones”), which lift mood and buffer stress and subsequent anxiety. Secondly, forcing myself to endure discomfort sets me up for the day, hence the “I can do anything” attitude. In other words, it gives me a sense of accomplishment before I’ve even left the house.
If you’re prone to a negative mindset, cold showering could help.
Physical
Healthy-Looking Skin
When exposed to cold, the body works to retain its core temperature by constricting blood vessels, which actually reduces blood flow to the skin and extremities. But once the cold exposure ends, those vessels open up again, causing a rush of blood back to the surface. This increase in circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients more efficiently.
This is why my skin appears pink after a cold shower.
Of course, it soon fades. But my complexion has generally improved; my face has a tighter, fresher appearance due to smaller pores.
Thicker Hair
My mustache is thicker and more luxuriant. If I had hair on my head, I’d probably see a difference there, too.
This is because better circulation nourishes the root, while the cold closes the cuticle to lock in moisture, leaving the hair of the face and head smooth and shiny.
A Greater Sense of Well-Being
Improved cardiovascular health is yet another side effect of good circulation. This, I think, is mainly responsible for my greater sense of well-being.
A Strengthened Immune System
Finally, increased blood flow causes the immune system to work more efficiently. This is because white blood cells are able to mobilize more readily in case of infection.
I haven’t had a cold in over three years.
Muscle Recovery
My exercise routine is very light and has never caused real muscle soreness, so I can’t speak from experience. But for those who train harder, cold temperatures can lead to faster recovery.
You may have seen athletes in the ice tub after vigorous training or competitions.
Cold and freezing temperatures aid in the removal of waste products, including lactic acid, which is said to be partly responsible for soreness.
Furthermore, cold water reduces inflammation. Therefore, the microdamage necessary to build muscle heals more quickly.
Which Soap for Cold Showers?
Unfortunately, my bar soap didn’t lather in cold water and my soap-free face and body wash wasn’t a lot better.
But I found a curd soap called Dalli, which is available online.
It smells clean rather than perfumed and gives a great lather. Being superfatted (a term used in soap making), it leaves the skin feeling smooth and supple. It’s also suitable for the face and hair.
Choosing discomfort over ease builds a kind of momentum that follows you out of the bathroom and into everything else you do. It’s a daily reminder that you’re capable of more than your comfort would prefer.
Showering cold can be harmful to people with high blood pressure, heart issues, diabetes, and urticaria, as well as pregnant/breastfeeding women and the elderly. If in any doubt, please seek the advice of a medical practitioner.
If you feel dizzy, faint, or otherwise ill while in the shower, get out immediately and call for help.
© 2024 J. Richardson
