What are the benefits of cold showers? 7 reasons to brave the treatment

Summer is coming, which means that we will traditionally be without hot water for a short period of time. Many, however, have gotten rid of this problem by installing water heaters. Others continue to heat whole pots and wash in basins. But do not hurry to do this: a cold shower only seems to be a terrible torture. In fact, it is very useful and, if you get used to it, gradually begins to bring real pleasure. We explain what is good about this procedure and whether it helps to improve health and body quality.

Losing weight

There are two types of fat in the human body: white and brown. The first is responsible for heat exchange and protects internal organs, and the second is located in the back and neck area and serves to maintain heat when exposed to cold temperatures. Under a cool shower, brown fat increases heat production almost 15 times, begins to release energy, and after and burn white fat reserves.

To understand whether water procedures are really so effective in weight loss, we talked to sports doctor Ibraim Chibichev.

Ibraim: It is the contrast shower that helps to lose weight. In order for brown fat to start working, you need minus temperature. It is for this purpose is used general cryotherapy, it is just a regulator of metabolism by and large. A contrast shower improves thermoregulation of the body and sootvetvetnogo in the cold and hot season allows you to fuel subcutaneous fatty tissue, that is, the very white fat.

It should be clarified that if you suffer from obesity, then one thermocontrast procedures to correct the situation will not work. It is necessary to revise the diet plan, start exercising under the supervision of a specialist and take care of your own health.

Energy boost

Nothing makes you wake up as well as a cool shower. This is a great shake-up for the body, which begins to save itself in case of hypothermia and sharply triggers all internal processes. Brain biohacking founder Dave Asprey revealed on The Doctor’s Farmacy podcast that he starts every morning with a short ice cold shower. The first few days you have to drag yourself to the bathroom by your hair, but then you get the hang of it and can’t imagine a day without the wake-up ritual.

Immunity boosting

Some of us were forced to douse ourselves with cold water as children, and some of us even enjoyed it. Our mothers and grandmothers did so not because they wanted to mock their children. Cold showers or dousing – a proven folk recipe for strengthening immunity. It increases the production of immune cells: you will no longer lie down with a fever, sitting an hour in a draft or under the air conditioner, and become more resistant to viral diseases.

Strengthening the cardiovascular system

Bathing in cold water forces the body to work harder to maintain a normal body temperature, so regular showers strengthen the cardiovascular system.

Heat loss is a signal to the body. It demands increased blood flow to the skin, which contains many small blood vessels. Capillaries constrict during the treatment and dilate afterward to allow blood flow. Cold water serves as a complete workout for the circulatory system. Your hands and feet will no longer get cold, and many people also notice an improvement in the quality of their skin.

Muscle recovery

After an intense workout, cold water helps relieve muscle tension. This procedure is familiar to professional athletes, but it’s great for amateurs as well. Low temperatures after exercise reduce the level of lactic acid, which is responsible for muscle pain. Only, according to our expert, you should prefer a bath rather than a shower.

Ibraim: Athletes prefer to lie exactly in cold baths, so that the temperature is close to zero. That is why ice is used. Since cold reduces tissue swelling and triggers reserve recovery mechanisms, it is really better to use an ice bath or to use elements of cryopressotherapy. Because a cold shower does not solve the issues in recovery – it is rather a thermoregulator.

It is recommended to extend such a procedure to 20-30 minutes, then the next day your body will not be treacherously whining.

No chemicals

If you live in the city and use the central water supply, then if you are a thousand times against chemistry, you are still exposed to it in your apartment. Special chemicals are added to hot water to protect pipes from scale and rust, and to maintain water clarity. These substances dry the skin, can cause swelling and even itching. Cold water has no impurities and is cleaner and healthier than hot water.

In addition, washing under cold pressure has a favorable effect on the hair. Hot water dries the hair, while cool water smoothes the scales and makes the hair shinier and stronger.