The next time you forget to switch on the geyser and are forced to take a cold shower, embrace it! Turns out, taking a cold shower, though not particularly pleasant, does have its benefits for your health.
According to WebMD, cold showers can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, improve circulation, lower stress levels, and reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Hot showers, meanwhile, can improve cardiovascular health, soothe stiff joints, and improve sleep. Understanding when to take a hot or cold shower is essential.
Healthline highlights these benefits of taking cold showers:
Cold showers calm itchy skin
According to research, if you have itchy skin or skin conditions that cause you to itch, cold showers can help you overcome the sensation to scratch.
Cold showers help you wake up in the morning
We all know the struggle of waking up in the morning. Or the struggle of feeling sleepy even after you’re up and out of bed. When cold water hits your body, there’s a bit of shock, but this shock actually promotes:
- oxygen intake
- heart rate
- alertness
Cold showers increase your circulation
Increased circulation is one of the top reasons experts recommend cold showers and plunges.
As cold water hits your body and external limbs, it constricts circulation on the surface of your body. This causes blood in your deeper tissues to circulate at faster rates to maintain ideal body temperature.
Cold showers help reduce muscle soreness after intense workouts
Since cold water has regenerative properties, your muscles will relax and repair after a tough workout.
Cold showers may help boost weight loss
Some fat cells, such as brown fat, can generate heat by burning fat. They do this when your body is exposed to cold conditions like in a shower.
These cells according to research are mostly situated around the neck and shoulder area. So, perfect for showers!
Written by Unathi Balele.
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