I think it's safe to say that most of us associate cold showers with extreme discomfort and stress.
We've all experienced the bone-chilling jolt of icy cold water spilling down our back at one time or another, usually as a result of the hot water running out or someone accidentally flushing the toilet.
Our bodies are naturally inclined toward the warm and cozy, causing us to turn up the temperature and let the deliciously warm water pour all over us.
But just as it's beneficial to sleep in a cold room, there are some amazing health benefits to turning down the temperature in your shower!
While we're not necessarily advocating for constantly bathing in icy cold water, taking down the temperature at the end of your shower can help keep your body performing at top speed while improving the texture of your hair and skin.
Check down below to learn about all the great things occasional cold water can do for your body — we swear it will make you change your mind about chilly showers!
Benefit #1: Gives You A Boost Of Energy
In response to the shower's sudden temperature drop, your body’s circulation and heart rate increases, according to Medical Daily.
This causes a rush of blood all around the body, acting as an adrenaline rush that should get you through your morning routine and out the door with energy to spare!
The increased circulation also gets all of your internals working overtime, which should make you feel awake, peppy, and completely energized.
Benefit #2: Eases Tight, Sore Muscles
According to Everyday Health, alternating between hot and cold temperatures treats your sore muscles in a nonabrasive way.
Cold temperatures restrict blood flow to the affected area, which reduces swelling and inflammation — while heat loosens up muscles, allowing more healing blood and oxygen to enter them more quickly.
Alternating between cold and hot water in the shower is an easy way to treat sooth tired muscles without having to reach for the ice pack or heating pad.
Benefit #3: Improves Your Hair And Skin Texture
Hot water can actually be a bit detrimental to your skin's and hair’s health.
It can dry out your skin while causing your hair cuticles to remain open, letting all of your conditioner’s nutrients drain out.
But turning down the temperature right before you get out of the shower closes up your pores and cuticles.
This means that all the good stuff that you just applied is locked in, which will leave you with brighter skin and shinier hair.
Benefit #4: Improves Circulation And Metabolism
Keeping your circulatory system on its toes with cold water encourages better blood flow to your organs and arteries.
This improves your system as a whole, enabling it to fight illnesses more efficiently, improve heart health, and keep your metabolism in peak shape.
Benefit #5: Drains Your Lymphatic System
Your lymph nodes are a paramount part of your immune system.
They filter out particles in your cells and help your body fight off infections.
Contracting and relaxing your lymph nodes with hot and cold water in the shower encourages them to pump out any stagnant particles out of your system.
Benefit #6: Helps To Relieve Depression
Cold water stimulates the noradrenaline-producing part of your brain, which improves your mood and helps your body’s nervous system perform at tip-top shape according to this study.
Additionally, the immense amount of cold receptors in your body are activated in the cold water, sending electrical signals to the brain and creating an anti-depressive effect.
Benefit #7: Improves Your Breathing
Another one of our body’s responses to dropping temperatures is elevated breathing, so that faster air intake and blood circulation can produce more heat.
Routinely kicking your lungs into high gear with a cold shower can promote better breathing and deeper, more meaningful breaths.
Given its incredible benefits, would you ever consider switching to cold showers — or are they just too uncomfortable for you?
Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE these surprising health tips!
