Five reasons why you should be taking cold showers

For many people in the United States, a shower is more of a luxury than a necessity. The hot water, steamy room and fragrant washes can be a big part of unwinding after a long day or getting out of grouch-mode in the morning. Much of the rest of the world, however, isn’t as familiar with hot showers, but they might be the ones who have it right, not us.

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Many people in other countries take cold showers or baths because it is the only option; warming up enough water would be time consuming for people who utilize all the hours in a day, and some people don’t have the means to make their shower water warm. But before you feel sorry for these individuals, take a look at five powerful reasons why we should all become fans of cold water.

Five reasons to take a cold shower

• Hydrotherapy for depression: Psychology Today author Peter Bongiorno, ND, explained in his Internet writings as well as his other publications the benefits of applying water of different temperature to the skin. Known as hydrotherapy, this form of treatment for mood disorders can work as well as many prescription medications. Taking a cold shower, for example, is beneficial for people with depression because it generates an invigorating feeling after and promotes a surge of fresh blood to the vital organs. Research also indicates cold showers and baths can decrease stress hormones in the body.

• Keeps the skin healthier: Dermatologists everywhere will tell you if you want to banish dry skin and irritation, you need to stop washing with hot water. Cold water does not strip the skin of essential oils as severely as hot water does, and it still allows cleansers to reach the pores.

  

• Helps naturally increase testosterone: Materials from Arkansas State University Herald indicate a cold shower is one of the home remedies for men who need a boost of testosterone. Taking a  cold shower stimulates the production of this hormone and keeps it elevated throughout the day. This doesn’t mean taking a cold shower will make a woman turn manly; both men and women have testosterone in their systems, and increasing it naturally with a cold shower won’t cause changes in features.
• Encourages the body to burn fat: Your body wants to maintain a temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, so it makes sense that being old makes the body burn more energy in an attempt to stay warm. Cold showers can help encourage caloric burn and 5 minutes of a truly cold shower can burn as much energy as 30 minutes of regular exercise.

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• Can help prevent muscle soreness: Taking a cold shower can be particularly beneficial after a workout. Athletes in demanding sports often take ice baths after training to help prevent and ease muscle aches. The same can be done with a cold shower even if exercise wasn’t too demanding. A regular day at the gym can strain muscles, too.

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