I’ve been cold showering for over year and a half now. I was intrigued by the fact that it improved your immune system and could possibly help you lose weight. If I have been sick at all over that year and a half, it’s just a head cold that lasts only a couple days at most.
As a weight loss technique, I wouldn’t put this high on my list of good habits. But, the other benefits of cold showering are pretty hard to ignore. I’ve learned so much from Wim Hof about breathing techniques. But, Hof’s original claim to fame was as ‘The Ice Man’. This guy really brought to the forefront, the benefits of being in the cold.
Benefits of Cold Showers
If you’re willing to put up with the initial shock of that cold water, here are some of the benefits you’ll experience. Keep in mind, it doesn’t have to be an hour under the water. Some studies find that just a minute will do it. It is that initial shock that is responsible for your body’s reaction.
Even Wim Hof suggests a pampered approach when starting out. He suggests simply dropping the temperature down for the final minutes of your normal hot shower.
That initial shock of cold will increase oxygen intake, increase your heart rate and increase alertness. That period of deep breathing as you deal with the cold rapidly brings in oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide, alkalizing your system.
The body goes into survival mode, stoking the internal fires to keep temperature up. This increases circulation and decreases inflammation. Thus, it improves muscle repair and recovery, along with eliminating soreness.
The important one – cold showering does create a robust immune system. The cold water causes an increase in the number of white blood cells in the body. White blood cells protect against disease.
The weight loss theory comes from the body burning brown fat to keep the temperature up. Brown fat is located in the neck and shoulder area so showering is perfect.
Other benefits include reduced stress levels, reduced depression and improved skin and hair health.
The Immune System Is King
In these times of COVID-19, anything you can do to improve your immune system is simply something you should be doing. Cold showering isn’t just some untested fantasy cure. Studies have been done by many reputable institutes and all point to immune system improvements.
Instead of our ‘leaders’ coming up with increasingly silly rules to keep us apart and from doing the things we love, they should be suggesting immune system improvers like this. But, instead, we’re almost encouraged to hit fast food joints and liquor stores for the sake of the ‘economy’.
Stay healthy, man. Strive to be the best you you can be. That is your power over a pandemic. It’s not 100% you won’t contract the virus but it certainly will make a difference in how severe the symptoms will be.