Cold Shower Benefits: Ancient Rituals and Modern Health Boosts

Another factor that you may not realize is that cold showers reduce, if not stop, the vaporization of chlorinated water that is in most municipal water systems.

I have for years now taken luke warm showers at the start and after rinsing off soap I end the shower with a cold rinse. In the summer up here in the last frontier I bath in the creek behind my cabin with just the sand gravel from the bank while using baking soda for washing my hair. I have noticed that I have no B O even without any soaps or deodorants.

one of my new year's resolutions was to take cold showers in the morning. today is the 31st day in a row and I am hooked. I recommend it to everyone. I read somewhere that cold showers were good for the health. I feel alert, energetic and empowered. from now on it's cold showers until the day I die. "it is all in the mind "I tell myself constantly while taking the cold shower. Forget hot water.

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

I recently started taking cold showers just out of the blue. I'm not sure why, other than I know that the heart is pumping harder trying to keep the body warm, and it seems that anything to help with the circulation is going to benefit the body. I started mainly because I had been out swimming with the dog in the cool river, and when the temperature outside is nearing 100 degrees, the water feels so good. I came home and once again was feeling drained by the hot weather, so I jumped in the cold shower, and have been doing it since. It's sort of a challenge each day to see if I can stand taking it all the way down to the left side of the dial where the hot has completely stopped, and the water is so cold it takes my breath away, but that's the fun of it! It almost feels like pushing to run that extra mile or lift weighs for another ten minutes. The warm sensation when I step out is really invigorating.

I do start off with it just comfortable enough to get into, and then cycle it down pretty quickly after that. Years ago I would do cold water in the middle of a hot shower, so that I didn't get out shivering, but I wonder if that has the same effect. Certainly seemed much easier to do when I knew that I was going to turn the hot back on in a minute, just the same way jumping out of a hot tub to roll around in the snow before jumping back in was always a rush.

Anyway, nice to know that my cold showers are doing good things for me after all, and thanks for the informative site!"

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.

I came upon this site and now I think I am hooked on this idea of cold showers instead of hot. I took one last night and one this morning and I am feeling the effects already. This morning I took a cold shower when I arrived at work after biking in and it seemed to really wake up my senses to get me ready for the day. I really enjoy cold water swims so I knew I would enjoy these cold showers as well. I am going to take one at night and one in the morning from now on.

WOW was all I could say after my first cold shower by design. Into day three, I notice that I have more energy that last longer throughout the day. The great feeling after the shower has prompted me to take a mid-day cold shower. I cannot imagine ever taking another hot shower. I only wish my water was colder.

I tried the cold shower therapy and found it great. Very energizing. But, I am notoriously warm blooded, and I had to develop a routine cause it was too cold at first. I think the key is the adjustment period when getting started..I started with water very cold and did head and armpits. Then I turned water to medium(it will feel warm) . Do the whole body for a few minutes. Give it a few minutes so body temperature can adjust to water temperature. Slowly crank it to cold in increments , and when you get to cold stay there as long as possible. Do a little more each day.

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.

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!

I had to laugh when I just received an email through talking of cold showers! I am 74 years of age, very petite, and have the body of a 30 year old so I can't wear anything a 74 year old lady would wear. My hair is long and dark brown, I had been dyeing it for over 20 years and I decided to let it grow out. My roots always came through dark brown and yes it took me two years to grow it all out and is definitely dark brown. I hate heat in any form and like Peter*, I have been having cold baths for many years. I always say if you get in an ice cold bath or shower it will shock you, especially if you are used to wearing all warm clothes and have heating on.

I never use my heating and am charged £15 a week for heating I never use, I have fans whizzing round in every room, and even when the snow is down you will find me strolling along is summer clothes and short sleeve tops. I only own 2 long sleeved blouses!

Everyone keeps giving me weird looks, I have beautiful skin for my age, and good little legs! Lol. I don't know if its the cold baths I had continuously over the years, but I walked into a pub last week and got chatting to a 50 year old woman. When I told her I had a 50 year old son, she looked at me and burst out laughing and said "oh come on! You can't have a son that age?! You look 30 years younger. It definitely boosted my confidence but then I'm told that all the time.

You know for people who love everything hot and pjs and hoards of blankets, try getting into a warm bath, and slowly run the cold tap, you will find it much easier to cope with the cold water, I tell my friends, but none of them will try it cos they complain they feel the cold.

I love everything about the cold weather, it makes me feel healthier and can't wait for October when the clocks go back because I love the Autumn and the winter time. For all those that did try the cold showers, you keep it up! If you find it is doing you good, brilliant!

Sadly I can't have a shower fitted because I don't have the pressure for a shower, so I have to put up with the bath, but providing the water is ice cold that suits me fine! Well done to all those trying it, you won't be sorry!

Yes, after a month of taking cold showers in the morning - with quite incredible benefits similar to what others have mentioned in these posts - two weeks ago I started taking them at night. When out of the shower I dry off vigorously and clean teeth etc without putting night clothes on for about 10 minutes. In that time my body feels the benefits similar to the morning shower coupled with a genuine warmth. My sleep has been excellent.

I've been trying to lose weight and have been suffering from depression, arthritis...I originally started a cold rinse on my hair for the health of my hair and to sustain the funky colors I color it. I was so impressed with how shiny my hair became I googled articles about the health benefits of a cold shower. I now start off warm, wash my hair in cold, rinse my hair and body in cold and have noticed my depression, arthritis and weight loss are improved. My hair and skin are glossy and soft. I'm sticking with this for life.

I recall reading that part of the Spartan regime at Gordonstoun School in Scotland is/was cold showers. HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh attended this school and he has recently reached his 90th year. The cold showers haven't done him any harm have they! As for me, I have just discovered them. Kind people have given me a shower head, curtain etc so it's only cost me a few pounds to make my cold shower. It's great!

So I tried my first cold shower on perpose this morning...... WOW!!!!! I do have to say though, I feel great! I started out in the warm water and then gradually decreased the hot. It was not easy, but I felt so alive when I was done. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow!!!

I have been taking cold showers for mths, i never really kept track but over 5 mths i would say. I have notice many benefits. My stress level has dropped, my skin never becomes dry, my hair is shinier, and my insides feel they function better.