Cold & Contrast Showers

Have you ever taken cold shower?

The thought of taking a cold shower for most people is enough to stop us from taking one but they are surprisingly really good for us. By including cold showers into your daily routine, you are increasing your self-discipline, which benefits many aspects of your daily life. Taking cold showers, conditions the internal autonomic system by exercising the arterial network of blood vessels. It improves your ability to regulate your inner body temperature relevant to your environment and also has an anabolic effect too! Research suggests that cold showers are a great addition to your own self-care routine as they stimulate the white blood cells present in your bloodstream which improves our immune system.There are so many benefits of taking a cold shower or using the contrasting method. 

These benefits include:

• Improved immune function
• Lowers inflammation throughout the body
• Increased circulation
• Reducing muscle soreness from working out
• Makes you feel super energised
• Can aid weight loss
• Calms itchy skin
• Healthier skin

When we look at how taking a cold shower can improve your circulation. Let me explain - Taking a cold showers reduces your core body temperature which means the body has to work harder and faster to warm itself up (using more energy/calories which also helps with weight loss). When the body has to begin to work harder, the blood flow must be increased and needs to reach the surface of the skin - therefore promoting healthy circulation. Those that are involved in strength training, bodybuilding and other athletic sports may use the cold shower method to aid recovery because of the proven delivery of benefits. If you’ve just completed an intense gym session or played a football match, having a cold shower afterwards could help soothe your tired and achy muscles and it’s for the same reason that cold water helps with circulation. The cooler temperature promotes faster blood flow, allowing more blood to be delivered to areas which are sore and promotes recovery. It's not that hot showers are bad, they also have their own benefits, but cold showers really do help in so many ways.

Contrast Showers are great way to practice cold showers! This method is recommended and much more enjoyable than jumping straight into a cold shower. Contrast showers are basically switching the temperature of the water from hot to cold and continue this as you aim to last longer in the cooler temperature. When you've had enough of the cold water turn it back to hot/warm water. This method will allow you to gradually build yourself up to a longer lasting cold shower. Give it a go!

The cons of taking cold showers While taking cold showers shouldn’t have any negative effects apart from making you shiver! there are some people who may want to hold off trying it out, such as those with a low immune system. Initially, the cold temperature might be too hard on your immune system, depending on the level of immunity of the person, so it's best to try to ease into the cooler temperatures. You will find though, that long term you will most definitely improve your immune system but we highly recommend you to start with the use of contrast showers.

 Please note - We do not recommend you to use cold showers if you're currently feeling ill.

How often should I take a cold shower?

You should start with one contrast shower in the first week, two in the second week and so on. Eventually you will take them as and when you feel like it. Make it a habit and part of your self-care routine like you would going to the gym. 

Last little tip: End the contrast shower with the cold temperature if you have skin issues such as acne, this closes the pores to prevent bacteria and dirt re-entering the skin. If you end your shower with cold water, dry and warm yourself back up quickly. 

Let us know in the comments if you've already tried them, how you find them or if you're going to give it a go!