Taking a proverbial cold shower tends to have a very specific meaning that goes along with a wink and nudges. But what about actually taking a cold shower? Does it have health benefits? Can it help you in some way, besides forcing you to wake up the second that the chilly water hits your skin? The answer to both of those questions is yes – a cold shower is actually good for your health. You’ll find that it has a large effect on both your physical and mental health.
A Cold Shower Can Help Alleviate Your Depression
Yes, you read that right. The overall symptoms of depression can be helped with a simple cold shower. How? Well, the cold water affects the cold receptors in your skin. Since those receptors are connected to the brain through the nervous system, the sensations travel right to there. The brain treats them as antidepressants, and your mood will improve. Although it isn’t clear how long the effects last, what matters is that for a time, you’ll feel less depressed.
It Speeds Up Your Post-Workout Recovery
After you work out, your muscles are filled with lactic acid. This is due to the fact that the workout essentially damaged those muscles, and the lactic acid is sent in to repair them. (This is actually how muscles are built, so it’s supposed to work this way.) Lactic acid makes your muscles sore, leading to those post-workout aches and pains. If you take a cold shower right after you work out, this pain is kept at bay. The chilly water helps you recover more quickly. You’ll also be able to move on the next day’s workout without needing a lot of recovery time.
Your Hair and Skin Will Look Nicer
This is more of a cosmetic change, but it is a nice side effect of a cold shower. The cold water closes off the pores in your skin, preventing your natural oils from seeping out. On the contrary, hot water can actually dry out your skin, leading you to need to use moisturizer. If you stick with cold showers, your hair will look less greasy, and you won’t need those moisturizing body washes anymore. On top of this, some studies have noticed that people’s antioxidant levels rise when they take frequent cold showers. This prevents aging. You’ll also be more awake, which is yet another benefit of a cold shower, albeit one that we’ve previously mentioned.
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It Has a Positive Effect on Your Circulatory System
Did you know that a cold shower can actually make your circulatory system work better? The water actually forces more blood to flow in and around your organs, strengthening them and making them work better. If you take frequent cold showers, your blocked arteries will begin to clear up, and your immune system will get stronger. Since all of the systems in your body are linked together, this makes plenty of sense. However, it’s amazing at what a little cold water can do.
Your Tolerance to Stress will improve
Are you easily stressed out? Then start taking cold showers. They work in a very simple way. Imagine that you’re at the pool or on the beach, and about to jump into the cold water. If you’re like most people, you’ll have to psych yourself up in order to do so. If you do this enough, you’ll get used to the surprise, and your body will begin to react to stress in a very different way. All that you need to do is take cold showers – and get into them without thinking about it. Your stress levels will thank you.
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