Memphismiss (Memphis, Tn, United States) on 06/04/2011
I think the cold shower has helped with my depression. Before I took the shower I had that feeling of poor concentration and tiredness and a bit of confusion. After the shower I feel better and can think better and im more energized. Before I took the shower I took an Omega 3 pill and bit it and squeezed the oil into my mouth. I also ate a banana and drank some lemon water to wash it all down. While in the shower I did let the water cover my entire head and body and I couldn't help but to began really deep breathing because of the shock of the cold water(I think the deep breathing helped).
I have been dealing with depression on and off for about 7 years. I think it is very possible that I was depressed as a child too. It became a part of my personality, I was always negative. I would always expect the worse. I have been working to be more positive and it has helped the depression some. Recently I have been under a lot of stress and as you may know stress can bring on depression. So I am trying to avoid a major depressive episode at all costs as they are very scary. I have had scary major depressive episodes but I find that meditating on the Holy Bible and positives rather than negatives helps.
I am going to try my hardest to exercise because when I do exercise(dancing is my favorite) I do feel better. Also when I juice fresh apples, oranges, carrots, and grapes, I have better concentration and energy. I noticed this week I have been eating poorly all the sweets and fats I wanted and my body has suffered for it, no doubt. That's why I was here looking for other cures to try to get rid of this depression once and for all but I guess it's gonna take some time and effort as it took some time and effort to get depressed. But the cold shower sure does help also freshly juiced fruits and vegatables also, positive meditation (I prefer those of the Holy Bible).... exercise(dancing, swimming and walking)..Omega 3 and vitamins, active social life(volunteer, facebook or something... be mindful of what you are watching or listening to( you need all positive stuff nothing negative).
Since there are so many things that can be going on in a person's body to cause depression it may take trying a few things. Our bodies were not built to withstand the current fast food lifestyle of today or the high stress.It is important to make sure that your depression is not because your body is short on vitamin and minerals Think about your eating habits even if you are not super obese like me. Blessings of all things good and no depression to all, you are not alone. HALLELUJAH... in Christ Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Shannon (Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada) on 08/02/2009
I recently started taking alternating hot/cold showers. I start off quite warm then gradually make it as hot as I can for about 3 minutes then switch to cold for about 1 minute. I do 3 cycles and gradually make the hot hotter and the cold colder each cycle. I've only been doing this for 2 weeks now but the chronic headaches I've had for 30 years have lessoned (only 1 in the last 10 days-absolute heaven) and I've mysteriosly lost 8 lbs. (I'm quite obese) without changing my eating habits. The fact that it has been stinking hot the past 2 weeks and I'm sweating to death with no air conditioning could also be a factor for the weight loss! LOL My body temperature stays cooler for a few hours after my shower, even in this 30+ weather. I've also been doing some awesome meditations, listening to binaural beats and watching subliminal videos so it could be a combination of everything. When I went to my Dr. last week and he asked how I was, I told him he'd better sit down. I've suffered (and I do mean suffer-suicidal thoughts daily) chronic depression for the last 17 years. I've gone off meds 3 times - once for 4 years even- but always end up crashing and need to go back on. Anyways back to the Dr. appt... I told him I had been HAPPY!!!! for 7 whole days and I hadn't cried since Sunday. The reason I cried was because I didn't know how long this would last. Had a bum day yesterday but not too bad today.
I thought it could be the combination of all the above or just my meds kicking in after trying 3 different kinds in 2 months. Not until I read all these posts did I think my showers could actually being contributing to my emotional well-being. Being 45, back in college with a bunch of 20 year olds, dealing with my disrespectful, pot smoking 17 year old son, chronic headaches and migraines, depression, hormone hostage (peri-menapause)... well I can use all the help I can get. I've also developed tennis elbow from being on the computer most of the day for school and homework. The showers haven't helped with that yet so I'm going to try emmursing my arm between my 2 kitchen sinks in hot and cold water.
Thanks for reading and I will definitely be checking out more of this website and referring my friends to it.
Sveta (Des Plaines, IL) on 07/23/2009
I just want to say that cold showers are great for major depression and anxiety disorder, but they don't help much if you don't shower your head. First, I was doing cold showers but was avoiding showering my head. It helped but I still had a lot of anxiety and depression going on. Then, after trying to SHOWER NOT ONLY MY BODY BUT MY HEAD too with cold water (I was told it's good for hair loss), I felt like I was born again. Plus, my hair doesn't seem to fall out much any more.
Bill (East Stroudsburg, PA) on 05/29/2009
I suffer from periodic severe depressions. I have taken every drug known to science and have undergone shock treatment. By accident this spring I discovered that a long, very cold shower, as long as I can stand it provides the best treatment I've had in 50 years. I can only assume it is not suggested by doctors because the drug companies don't recommend it.
Rob Dillon (San Francisco, CA) on 05/04/2009
I feel sad for a very odd reason. Why on earth did I not find this simple cold water shower cure earlier. I suffered from a lot of diseases all life and this cold water shower cured this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND A MUST FOR EVERYONE WHO WANT TO STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY.
Jeff (Houston, Texas) on 12/31/2008
Cold Shower Therapy for Depression:
I didn't initially read about cold shower therapy for depression here, but wanted to comment on the positive benefits and why scientists think it works.
I've suffered from treatment resistant or refractory depression since the age of sixteen and am now forty-one years old. I've tried over 50 medications (MAOI's are the best in my personal and medical option), had over 70 ECT (electronvulsive or shock therapy treatments at the age of 18/19), and have tried every other known treatment for depression in the history of mankind.
Cold showers (or baths, swimming in lakes) has been a complimentary or adjunct therapy for me over the past several years. Scientist think it stimulates the blue spot or locus cerulus in the brain which is the main source of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline), but it also stimulates endorphins and has other effects on the hypothalamus/pituitary like stimulating thyroid hormone, helping with hot flashes (I have them with depression) and helps normalize circadian rhythms. I believe it works wonders and am living proof.
I also want to add something else for those who suffer from depression that they might want to try. Sleep deprivation for one or two nights. You might think it would cause depression, but it stimulates most of the neurotransmitters in the brain and is useful for enhancing the antidepressant effect of medications.
Lastly, if one is not so depressed that they're bed ridden, exercise can work wonders.
Sarah (Nailworth, Glos UK) on 10/20/2008
I have been an avid reader of your site since i found it. I use many of your suggestions such as acv, bsm and baking soda for a cleanser. I heard about cold showers and depression and decided to give it a try. The main reason i tried it was because one day i was with a friend and we do wind each other up a bit and hurl joking insults at each other, but this one day i got really down about some of his comments as i suffer from depression and menopause i was feeling very vunerable. I could not get over his jokes and as much as i tried to reasure myself that he did not really mean them they still hurt and i was in tears for days. I thought i would take a cold shower to see if it cheered me up. All i can say is WOW. I must admit although i had lost the will to live i honestly thought i was going to die in the shower and decided i am not only depressed i am bloody bonkers, i was convinced i was going to die from heart failure, shock and hypothermia all at the same time. But after i stopped shivering and my teeth stopped chuttering i realised i was going to live after all and actually started to enjoy it. That was only this morning and i have been in such a good mood all day i cant wait to try it again tommorow. My face has also been glowing all day without any make up and i cant stop looking in the mirror, maybe it's just because i feel better but it has took years off me.I have got curly hair and heard it is good for curly hair as mine is going a bit frizzy. I will give you an update in a couple of months to see if it helps . I am one of the few women who love my curly hair and would not touch a straigtener. Everybody comments on my hair and how nice it is but lately with the onset of the menopause it seems to have died so i would love to see if something this simple gets it back to normal.
Jasmine (Edmonton, Alberta) on 01/19/2008
GOD BLESS YOU EARTHCLINIC. Cold showers cured my depression. I have never felt so alive and so happy and grateful to be alive. Thankyou Earthclinic for sharing this great remedy. I have more energy and less stress. Oh and some other pleasant changes I've noticed - my hair is shinier and curlier (perfectly soft curls too, not frizzy like before), and my skin is clearer and softer than before. Right after I do my morning stretches and calisthenics routine I will jump into the cold shower (I almost can't describe how incredible it feels!)
Christina (Charleston, WV) on 07/01/2007
Cold showers cured my depression. I just want to thank you for the advice about cold showers. I have suffered from depression for a long time now and nothing seemed to be working. I have been taking two cold showers daily now for about four weeks and I feel a 100% difference. I actually have energy to do things again. Before I started the cold showers all I wanted to do was sleep. Thanks again. You don't know how much your advice has helped.
