Take a Cold Shower
For a person who doesn’t like to jump into a pool unless it’s 80 degrees, the thought of taking a cold shower is less than inviting. So when my husband greeted me in the morning with, “We’ve got a problem with the hot water tank,” my heart sank.
I recall a National Geographic special with Chris Hemsworth called Limitless. In that six-part series on Disney+, Chris embarks on an exploration of the aging process - specifically, how to slow it down. Each episode tackled a different topic. In one challenge, he tested the theory that being subjected to extreme cold could force the body to fight inflammation and boost the immune system. He did this by swimming 250 yards in very dangerous 37-degree water in Norway. Is that why the New Year’s Day tradition of the polar plunge has become so popular?
How beneficial to our health is taking a cold shower or ice bath anyway? Here’s what I found.
Enhances Immune Function - A large study from the Netherlands found that people who took a cold shower were less likely than those who took a warm shower to take time off work due to sickness. The shock of the cold water stimulates blood cells that fight off infection. Some health advocates suggest there is a benefit to ending your shower with 30 seconds of cold water every day.
Increases Metabolism - A Healthline article reports that brown fat cells in your body generate heat to burn fat in your body. These brown fat cells are activated when your body is exposed to cold water.
Improves Mood - Research exists to show that taking a cold shower has positive effects when it comes to improving your mood. In a clinical study, participants who took a cold shower daily reported a decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Reduces Pain - In the same Limitless episode referenced earlier was a story about a woman who had a severe accident and was in constant pain. It was only when she was plunged into ice cold water that the pain was eliminated. As reported in Everyday Health, cold water not only lowers inflammation which causes the pain, but it blocks nerve cells that signal pain in the body. For some, it is a therapy alternative to pain medication.
Promotes Post-Exercise Recovery - It is very common for professional athletes and even student-athletes to sit in an ice-bath after a game or practice in order to reduce swelling and tissue breakdown. The jury is out on the efficacy of this practice. While some report it being beneficial, a study in the National Library of Medicine concluded that ice baths of five minutes have a detrimental effect on players' performance when recovering from competition and training in cases where players are required to perform short, intense activities that rely on anaerobic energy systems.
What are the detriments - besides, being uncomfortable, that is? After all, the cold is a shock to the system. While taking a cold shower is relatively safe for most people, there is a risk for a certain population, especially those with a heart condition or those that suffer from an irregular heartbeat. The American Heart Association has a great article on this topic. In addition, anyone who is feeling ill, has neuropathies or diabetes, should refrain.
As I inched my body closer to the cold water spray from the shower head, I repeated the mantra, this is healthy, this is healthy. And while tolerable, it was less than ideal. Even knowing that it could increase my metabolism, I’ll be happy when the hot water heater is fixed!
If you’re interested, here’s the Limitless trailer on Disney+ to learn more about the series.