Cold Shower Therapy
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Cold Shower Benefits: Ancient Rituals and Modern Health Boosts

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Lethargy

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Posted by Sarah (Nottingham, Uk) on 10/10/2009
 ★★★★★

I was introduced to cold showers by a forceful boyfriend who absolutely insisted that they'd be good for me. I was suffering from a lack of energy and couldn't motivate myself to do anything, with the result that my studies were suffering badly. At first I was very reluctant to stand under cold water for 15 minutes and he more or less had to hold me under the shower. I'm so glad he did. I now have more energy, more motivation, my skin and hair glow, and my apetite has reduced with the added benefit that I'm now 10lb lighter.

I normally take one cold shower when I wake up (washing my hair as well as my body) and then a second cold shower (without washing my hair) before I go to bed. I know haven't had a hot/warm shower for over four years.

EC: Good idea to take your temperature after such a long shower!

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/depression2.html#COLDSHOWERS

[WARNING!] 09/22/2007: Remy from Buffalo, NY writes: "Please tell website users that they have to be very careful if they have low body weight and use the "cold shower" method to alleviate depression. I have low blood circulation and several health problems because I am suffering and loosing to an eating disorder. Cold showers can be dangerous!

For people who are "underweight" it may be a good idea by slowly decreasing the temp. each time you take a shower, followed by taking your temperature afterward.

Core Temp. Side Effect
95 Shivering
90 Confusion
85 Lethargic
80 Coma
78 Death

Measuring the length of the shower is important, as the longer you expose your self to cold water, the lower your body temperature will drop. I hope this helps, and as always; if you think you may have an eating disorder, you may have one, or develop one!"

Replied by Robin
(Alamogordo Nm)
07/22/2016

You are talking about CORE temps. It takes a looooong time to change your core temp. Stuff like this just confuses people and scares them off from doing more research into something that could help. A 1 to 3 minute cold shower will not affect your CORE body temperature!!!

EC: Right, but the poster wrote about a 15 minute cold shower, not a 3 minute cold shower!

Lowered Blood Sugar and High Cholesterol

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Posted by Cory (Tacoma, Washington) on 03/26/2007
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have been taking cold showers every day now for almost three months, and I recently got the results of my latest blood and urine lab tests from my doctor. Blood sugar and cholesterol were markedly lower than the tests showed just prior to starting the cold shower regimen, with no appreciable changes in diet or physical exercise. My blood pressure was lower, and my pulse rate at rest has decreased from 72 to 54, which I find amazing. I am not in "great" shape physically, and I can only attribute these changes to the cold showers. This might actually be the 'fountain of youth'.

Makes Hair Curly

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Posted by Michael (Toronto, Canada) on 05/17/2007
 ★★★★★

ive been taking cold showers for about 2-3 weeks now and its really good, i feel better and everything, but since ive started taking cold showers my hair has been more curly. i just wanted to know if this is because of the cold showers or maybe something else.

EC: Yes, quite a few people have remarked about curlier hair after taking a cold shower!

Mental Health

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Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 09/10/2021
 ★★★★★

Hello there fellow posters!

This tough Kiwi farmer is doing the Hard Yard in raising money for farmers' mental health concerns.

(You should be aware that it is winter Down Under eh?)

You can check her out right here.....

Cheers,

M

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/coronavirus-covid-19-woman-does-cold-water-challenge-to-bring-relief-to-stressed-out-farmers/YGUWJWEFQOINAXSUVKFPPKFGVE/

Replied by Cindy
(Illinois, USA)
09/15/2021
563 posts

Cold showers ARE good for mental health! And many other issues! Brain, heart, oxygen uptake, skin - you name it. Back when we were wild and barefoot, cold water wasn't a choice. Natural running water sources are cold, living, life-giving and contain silver. And if you're not SUPER whiny, they also make you go, "WOOHOO! " - but you can take care of the whininess first, if you want. Just exaggerate it to ridiculous lengths and levels until you have to laugh at yourself. THEN step in a cold shower - WOOHOO!!

Migraines

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Posted by Araeshkigal (Hurst, TX) on 02/16/2007
 ★★★★★

I first started taking cold showers as a suggested remedy for migraines. It more than worked. It also helped alleviate skin breakouts, regular muscle cramping, and some blood pressure issues (I changed nothing else in diet or exercise to be sure this was what was having the effects) I find it's best to start barely warm and slowly get to cold. If you can't stand ice cold at first just go "on the cool side" till you get a tolerance. You don't have to *freeze* to get the benefits. Also I find cold baths do *not* have the same therapeutic effect as cold showers (anyone else?)

Replied by April
(Savannah, GA)
01/14/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I stood in a freezing cold, icey shower for nearly 20 minutes with no relief. My migraines are debilitating, throbbing aches that stop me in my tracks. The cold felt good on my skin, but didn't help my pain.

Mood Enhancer

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Posted by Lillian (Houston, Tx) on 02/02/2014
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I was searching for "spiritual cleansing baths" on Google and came across a Cold Shower Therapy link for Earth Clinic. (I'm a fan of EC and have lurked for a couple years - I had to sign up to tell this.) I decided to follow the link and read all the wonderful responses regarding cold showers. Well - I started out with my regular shower, and lowered the temperature to "pretty cold" (but not all the way freezing)!

I was talking out loud to myself, saying "They said put your armpits up there!! "

OMG, I had to force my arms up. I could only stay a few minutes, not the full 10 minutes. Anyway, once I got out, dried, dressed for bed, put on some nice music - I felt I had absolutely no body at all. I was floating in mid-air, I felt so good! I went out today, it was around 40 degrees and raining - it didn't bother me one bit. Normally, I'd be bundled from head-to-toe and shivering. It was nice out. I'm working on making all my showers cold.

Thank you all for sharing your lives and thank Earth Clinic for enabling us to do so!

Lillian!

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Patrick (Sydney, Australia) on 05/25/2009
 ★★★★★

I found cold water by accident. I swim each day and when the cold weather arrived I kept swimming in the outdoor pool until they closed for winter. And, I was the only person left swimming in the 15 degree water. I found that cold water gave me an incredible feeling and I wondered if anyone else has experienced it - so I checked the internet. And yes, many had - I was not alone. Now, for the past month I have been swimming in the heated indoor pool but having cold showers after - plus I also have cold showers each morning. I laugh before I get in the shower; my head is a can of worms screaming at me not to inflict this pain. But I do it. I stay under the water until it feels comfortable. BUT, it is best to wear rubber thongs/jandalls/flip flops to save freezing your little feet off on the cold tiles.

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Heidi (Ogden, UT) on 03/02/2009
 ★★★★★

Cold Shower:

While I was in the shower, it wasn't so great. I could only take the water on the front of my body, and not ice cold, but cool. Then I moved and let the water go over my shoulders. My back is really sensitive, so I didn't go there, but when I put my head under the water and allowed it to flow through my hair and over my scalp! oh! that felt so good! I did that over and over again. mmm. then got out and toweled off, and now I feel terrific. Really tired, as if I could sleep deeply (but I have work, so...)

But I'm relaxed and warm, and my emotional state is calm and level. I plan on repeating this every day. I can feel the vigor and alertness, yet I'm relaxed. Calm and alert.

Yeah, I can live with this!

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Pat (London, England) on 11/10/2008
 ★★★★★

I am the sort of person that will not swim unless the water is lovely and warm so I dont know what made me start turning the shower to cold after my normal hot session. I didnt stand under it just put my arms and legs under and splashed myself. Then I had the bizarre idea of running a shallow cold bath and putting some good oil in and getting into that. At first I just paddled and splashed but now i sit down in it, and sponge myself down. Wonder if I will ever lie down?? i dont have any ailments i want to cure, but I feel so good after the bath that I dont think I will ever stop startng my day like this. I googled cold shower to see if I was not the only completely mad person and found this site. Since reading this thread i tried the hand held shower nozzle but that was unpleasant and made me feel cold afterwards rather than tingly warm. i am sure it is improving my skin tone, I am 60 this week and my skin needs all the help it can get. And is it just a coincidence that my tennis elbow has gone??

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Sarah (Nailworth, Glos UK) on 10/20/2008
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

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 reassure 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.

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Dylan (Galway, Scotland) on 09/25/2007
 ★★★★★

yeah after trying a few cold showers we are totally addicted to it!! good for staying up at night during exam times. as foreign students we are broke after the bill skyrocketed this summer, i have made a deal with my flatmates to turn off the water heater from now on. means we only have cold water to use into the winter !! we shall see who can last the longest..i even placed a bet that i wont turn it on again.. not until next year..

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Gwen (Baltimore, MD) on 06/26/2007
 ★★★★★

Let's keep it moving. I am still taking the cold showers. I went on a retreat, and felt like i would be cheating if I took a hot shower just because it was available. Well, I tell you I have no regrets. I love taking cold showers. The problem I have is getting out of the shower because it feels so great once you get started. I have been feeling wonderful, full of zest for life. More positive thougths. I search this site everyday. I am looking to hear more from you all. Keep the faith, we are ahead of the game/gang.

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Daniel (Melbourne, Australia) on 11/12/2006
 ★★★★★

I'm a 16 yr old boy, whom my father is a health "freak", fruits all day and fresh salads in the evenings and last but not least COLD showers each night and morning. My dad finally convinced me to just try cold showers each morning to see if it would help me function during the day. AMAZINGLY, i'm hooked and love cold showers every morning and evening i have cold showers, this really helps me through my day. Right now i feel i cannot function without having a cold shower. This site also helped me into my first step in trying out a cold shower.

Mood Enhancer
Posted by Eric (Ontario Canada) on 09/12/2006
 ★★★★★

That's it! I am totally hooked on ice cold showers! I have often thought about doing it over the years but always put it off. Now I'm thinking , why did I wait so long?

Bottom line...total rush, energy that lasts all day, sense of well being, physical and mental stimulation, heightened awareness, heightened senses such as smell, hearing and taste, positive outlook, strong immune system ( no more colds or allergies), great stress reducer.. .it keeps me an all round happy, healthy and fun loving guy. I would recommend it to anybody.

After my morning cold shower I am totally invigorated and I actually want to jump in again during mid day for an added boost.

Mood Enhancer
Posted by SP (NYC) on 09/11/2006
 ★★★★★

Cold water shower is simply amazing. I tried it today after reading the comments here. First few minutes I was shivering to death. I actually thought of turning the hot water. But I then after few minutes my body temperature got well adjusted to the cold water. It felt so good. I went in with a headache and came out so fresh and renewed. Thanks!


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