COLD SHOWER FEEDBACK

[YEA]  06/06/2005: Maria from El Paso, TX writes: "My Husband and I take cold showers for the exception on my menstrual days. Yes, it does wonders and we can handle life unexpected surprises or shocks because of our minds are vitalized and fully alerted, also relaxes us after a hot day in the E.P.Texas heat ahhh, try it and you sure will enjoy as well..."

[YEA]  Jason from Belmar, NJ writes: "i am so happy that i literally stumbled across this web site. i have been a "polar bear," for the past seven years and it is the the greatest day each year. Not only do you get to raise money for a great cause, the Special Olympics, you get to jump into the icy cold Atlantic, 38F this year, and what a charge you get. i live right near the beach and i try to get up there as much as possible, especially in the winter. When i go i like to take a few handfuls of water and rub them on my face and head if it is not bitterly cold out. The feeling of the ice cold water on my face head and in my beard is amazing. i always believed that there was healing properties in the ocean, but i never knew that was such great benefits from cold shower therapy. i can't wait to start. Thank you so much."

However, there is a distinction between a healthy body that can endure and enjoy the hot-cold routine and someone who may have a chill that has weakened the body so it is best to start the hot-cold routine during the summer or when you are feeling well rather than start it when you are tired, feel weak and lacking energy. Moreover, people who exercise have better circulation and can naturally enjoy the difference. I have tried taking only a cold shower but my feeling is that there is a distinction and that the hot-cold may have an extra edge on getting a better circulation and it will certainly encourage non-participants in getting involved. If anyone has other thoughts or info on this I would be glad to receive their input."

[YEA]  Toussaint from Louisiana writes: "After three years of hot-cold showers in the evenings and cold-cold showers in the mornings, the only regret I have is visiting locations where the water just doesn't get cold enough... I've found no other remedy that awakens such innate energy and realigns my ability to focus and concentrate."

[YEA]  Al from Atlanta, GA writes: "I've been taking cold showers for two years now, every morning, and sometimes in the evening. I am addicted. I start my day with an energy level that is not possible to attain in any other fashion of which I am aware. I don't get sick in the winter, even when I go out without a shirt on. I don't take warm showers at all anymore. I used to think that I was a little nuts, but now after visiting this web site I'm relieved. I've only told a couple of my closest associates about my addiction to cold showers since most people would find it hard, if not impossible to appreciate or understand. I have also dispensed with air conditioning in my auto and home. I find myself returning to the days of my youth when such modern conveniences were non-existent. I walk a lot also. I practice the separation of mind and body, and cold showers assist me in taking control of the body through the power of the mind. I readily confess that cold showers are now a way of life for me and I feel blessed that I accidentally found out about this magnificent therapy when our heater went out and I was forced to take my first cold shower. Take care and God bless. It's time to take my shower! Al Jefferson"

And more helpful feedback from Brendan, writing to us from Ireland: "I have been taking cold showers every morning for the past 9 months and find them extremely invigorating both mentally and physically. I am not a medical person and have researched the topic of hydrotherapy to learn more and found from experience the following to be true. To take a cold shower it is important to take one after, not before, a hot shower. The coldness of the water is bracing, but like swimming, is something your body adapts to. If you get a pain in the back of your head or start shaking uncontrollably, the water temperature is too cold and you have lost your wits!! It's a health regime, not an arctic survival course! Cover [with water] all parts of the body, especially the joints, the feet, head and stomach, which will improve blood flow and digestion. Coming out of the shower, you will find yourself alert and warmed up and like a good breakfast, will set you up for the day. If you have any questions please drop me a line. All the best, Brendan."

[YEA]  Robert from New York City writes: "I have been taking cold showers for 2 years and have found them to invigorate both my mind and body. I had heard that the Russians did a study demonstrating that alternating hot & cold showers could boost recovery rates by 20%. So, I started taking them after work-outs. It seems to boost mine. Additionally, I have noticed my skin to be much better. Fortunately, the water in NYC gets really cold. Presently, I am living in London for a while and I only have a bath tub, so after a warm bath, I get out and refill the tub with ice cold water and then submerge myself. This method really works well. Glad to see that others are just as crazy as me."

[YEA]  A student writes: "Cold showers have increased my mentality to greater heights. My grades have sky-rocketed since I began four weeks ago. I guess it stimulates the mind by creating an irregular natural sensation, so making it regular works wonders both mentally and physically."

[YEA]  James from St. Louis writes: "I started taking cold showers (very cold) about a month ago due to high gas bills. I have also done some research on the topic and have found that many cultures from India to Russia have practiced this for hundreds of years. Russian boxers do this for toughing up the skin before a fight and as the topic above Indians have been practicing this for health benefits mental and physical. The most dramatic benefit I have found is sense of smell. I never realized how smelly hot water is. Also after taking a warm shower, you smell as if you didn't clean yourself an hour later. Start taking cold showers help yourself and the environment!"

[YEA]  Dat from Phoenix, AZ writes: "I used to sell books door to door, and it is required that everyone of the 100,000+ students in the sales force wake up at 6 am and take a cold shower. This is done religiously and even though we all worked 80+ hours a week, this activity is actually considered one of the hardest to do. Everyone takes a cold shower in the morning, and it is interesting to note that people who stop performing this activity usually quit the job."

[YEA]  Andrew writes: "I ALWAYS take a cold shower first thing in the morning (before my 10 mile, cross country, bare-chested, run, and another one immediately afterwards. These are invigorating and extremely healthy. I have been told this by the doctor who gives me two thorough medical examinations per year."

[YEA]  Justin from NYC writes: "I've been taking cold showers for a year, the results have been tremendous. I don't take any vitamins, no herbs or supplemental vitamins and I haven't been sick once B''H. Any time I have a stomach ache or injury I feel the healing system in my body working more efficiently, helping me to heal quicker. After a really cold shower, and I have taken some cold ones, I feel invigorated and excited about life. Some in NYC where the water gets really cold or in the mountains in northern Israel where the water is absolutely chilling. I was laughing it was so cold. But I feel great, I trust my body and my immune system, I have confidence in my body's ability to heal itself. I feel my internal systems are functioning at their potential. Though, I have to admit, it is hard to motivate to go into a cold shower, but every time afterwards I say to myself it's so worth it. I tried to explain to my parents, okay big mistake, and they thought I was crazy, they're right. I hear the Seal song in my head, "we're never gonna survive, unless we are a little crazy". Get in there! justin"

[YEA]  Fernanda from Sydney, Australia writes: "Well, I guess I will be the first woman to say how great it feels to be having cold showers first thing in the morning.. My dad who is studying naturopathy began about 2 months ago to have cold showers in the morning then went back to bed for 10 mins for his body to warm up!! I have been doing the same for 3 weeks and I feel mentally more alert, with more energy and the funny thing is that when ever I feel a little bit hot, my body is craving to have another cold shower.. my complexion is looking so healthy and I don't have to use moisturizers any more.. I recommend for other women to try this. You will benefit so much from it.. so go for girls give ur self that cold shower!"

[YEA]  Anonymous writes: "I have a freezing cold shower twice a day, first thing in the morning and last thing at night, which I've added to my already extremely vigorous exercise routine, as well as sleeping in the nude, and I can't even begin to extol their virtues by saying how wonderful they are."

[YEA]  Christie from Ontario, Canada writes: "Although I have not been using cold showers to treat specific ailments, I have been finding that in spite of an incredibly limited amount of sleep lately (3-5 hrs a night), the cold showers in the mornings have helped to revive my senses, increase blood circulation, and increase clarity and concentration(I only wish I had the opportunity to take one in the afternoon!). I did not know that cold showers were advised against during menstruation but that explains my intense aversion to them at this time and I won't be trying to endure that experience again. I have used cold showers at the end of very warm showers for about ten years now fairly consistently, however, I have switched to only cold showers in the morning under the direction of my yoga teacher trainer, and have noted that I feel I am gaining more benefits from the cold as opposed to the hot-cold routine."

Best wishes to all of you."

[YEA]  Garin from Oregon writes: "I believe by taking cold showers, you will live longer. This is because warm to hot water will age your cells, and by taking a cold shower it will improve your cells and make you look and feel great. I am 18/Male and everyone says that I look great, I don't think it's because of taking cold showers. But taking cold showers does play a role in looking good. The best way to look great is to workout and don't worry about over training. I was a gymnast for 6 years and I worked out for 3 hours everyday. Now that's over training to some people, but to me that's not over training because there is no such thing as over training. Your body needs as much exercise as it can get. I have studied about Bruce Lee and he worked out constantly everyday. He was strong, good looking and healthy, until he took too many supplements and it killed him. That 3 hours of working out everyday helped me to burn a lot of calories, that would of turned in to fat if I didn't workout."

[YEA]  H from London writes: "I recently discovered the wonders of hot-cold showers only 3 weeks ago, having read about it in a book about rejuvenation which highly recommend the practice. Despite being in my thirties I thought it's never too early to start preventative measures, and decided to try it out despite a great deal of aversion to the idea. Boy, am I glad I did. It's the single best thing I do every day for my health, energy, looks and state of mind. Nothing, and I mean nothing produces results like this almost instantaneously. After my shower I feel so happy, I'm almost dancing with joy, whatever state I was in before getting in. My skin glows (I only realized this when people kept on complimenting me); and I feel full of beans and raring to go - the absolute opposite to how I normally feel in the mornings ! I'd always defined myself as "not a morning person". Well that's no longer true! I start with a hot shower whilst washing then switch to cold for 15 seconds then hot, and repeat twice. I don't think I could cope with getting into a cold shower during the winter, though I will try it out in summer."

[YEA]  Danny from Mooresville, Indiana writes: "I have been taking cold showers for several years. I started taking them when I would shave in the shower with very hot water and then I would get too hot that I would turn the water completely cold and leave it on for the remainder of my shower. I find that it takes my headaches away and gives me more energy. When I go to hot climates like Florida I find it disappointing to take a shower because they don't have very cold water. I never knew there were any benefits to it until now, but if you try it you will find that you get used to it very quickly. If you have any questions or comments feel free to drop me a line. itzallen40@aol.com
Try it -- you won't be sorry!"

[YEA]  Geoff from NSW Australia writes: "I have been taking cold showers for 4 months and can't believe how good I feel when I get out. My friends & family have commented on how bizarre it is, but I just feel so much better. I appreciate knowing that I'm not the only one on this planet doing it."

[YEA]  John from Lacrosse, WI writes: "In the summer of '81, while working at Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park, I was faced with what I thought was an unbearable situation. The hot water heater went out in the dorms. This meant, of course, that we had to take cold showers--and I mean COLD, since the water source was Swiftcurrent Lake, which couldn't have been more than 38 degrees. Well, on my initial encounter with the hyperborean liquid, I turned eighteen shades of blue. But, oddly enough, I (and my coworkers in the dorm) got used to it; in fact, we grew to like it. It felt incredible to vigorously rub down after the shower, looking out at the snow-capped peaks through an open window. I felt like the Fates had suddenly whispered to me a great secret. A week later, when the hot water system was fixed, I kept up with the Spartan regimen, and have maintained the habit since."

3) Cold showers are a simple, cost-effective, holistic approach to health. I have fewer illnesses & my allergies, while still there, aren't as severe as they used to be. My sinuses don't bother me as much anymore. I feel more comfortable & clear-minded after I've had a cold shower."

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