Cold Shower Benefits: Ancient Rituals and Modern Health Boosts

I came across the whole notion of cold showers on this website and I thought the people here were crazy. Then, this morning, for no particular reason (in 'Forrest Gump' parlance), I turned my shower water cold and took the plunge. Yeah, it was a heck of a shock to my system, but after about a minute or two, I started warming up automatically -- likely my own body temperature responding to the cold. After I got out, I felt great. Now, it'll take a few days of this to see if this really benefits me or not, but I've already seen two effects:

a) For some reason, my skin is tingly all over and I can't explain it.

and

b) I was early to work today because of the limited time I spent in the shower (hot showers have always encouraged me to just linger under the steam for as long as possible). Before, showers would last 20 minutes. Today, I was in and out in less than 10 -- and more than adequately clean.

I'll write back again to report my progress. Happy scrubbing!

Cold showers are great for waking up in the morning and actually lifting one's mood. Takes a bit to get used to (heavy breath intakes and shivering) but after you step out you feel alive and then, as you warm up ... awesome! I have been doing them for 4 days now - do it slightly "cool", to get used to it, then cool it down even more. I make it about a 3-4 minute affair. Seems to have cured morning "head fog". If you're new to it - get ready for a rush.

I must admit, I was very apprehensive as I am not a fan of cold water but all the posts here worked me up. I started with my feet and legs, then arms as I was afraid the shock directly on the heart would send me into cardiac arrest. (I always was a bit of a pain wuss) The horror! It was like being attacked by an army of evil, miniature trolls wielding tiny frozen ice piks. It was especially amplified in the head area. The HORROR but I refused to give up, reminding myself that the body will adjust its temperature, effectively turning my tortured skin into a barrier between me and the evil trolls.

I couldn't take it, and opened my mouth to scream in surrender when amazingly, a loud horribly off key opera roared forth. T'was just the ticket. I sang like never before, turning round and round reaching a singing ferver when something strange began happening.

The water didn't hurt anymore and in fact, began to feel wonderfully refreshing. The singing continued and I actually began enjoying the whole experience! I washed and sang feeling energized as I pictured the evil trolls swooshing away down the drain.

After jumping out of the shower, I vigorously dried myself off delighting in the wakeful feeling of aliveness that soared my spirits. I shall see how long this lasts and seriously consider attempting another one before bed tonight. Thanks all for this wonderful site!

Oh and a question...is there a time limit for the cold shower before it starts to adversly affect one?

Hi, I just want to say that i am so glad for this site. I tried the cold showers and really love them, i have been taking the cold showers for a month and really love it. After I get out of the shower, i feel so good and have lots of energy.

So I will not be going back to hot showers, i am hooked. Thank you for the site.

The cold shower therapy works really well for lifting my mood and making me feel alive. I am doing many other therapies, but I believe that the cold showers are the reason I have been so happy the last few months and have experienced moments of amazing joy that occur out of the blue and for no particular reason. I get cold easily and so starting this therapy made me question my sanity. I have to say that I started with cold showers in August of this year and that it is much easier to take cold showers in the summer than now! Even in the summer however, I was never able to stay in the shower until I felt warm. Now that it is winter, if I am even slightly chilled before I get in the shower, I will take a warm shower and gradually throttle it down so that I end the shower with a cold rinse. I think having the bathroom warm is important if you are going to try this therapy.

I am excited and shocked to see that other people are having the same experiences as me in taking cold showers. I feel completely awake, but calm after a nice fresh dip. I have even had experiences of mild euphoria. My method mirrors many others. Start with cool water rand increase to cold. I've experimented with different temperatures and found, however, that if the water isn't cold enough I just shiver. When the water is colder the blood starts moving and I internally heat up. This is where the good stuff is. Has anyone else had that experience? Not cold enough water making you shiver? Anyway.... Cold showers are no joke. They take time to get used to, but after a while of taking cold showers a morning hot shower starts to seem slightly decadent.

I tried the cold shower therapy first thing this morning. God it was great, once the initial shock was over, i got out of the shower and was tingling all over. I feel great today, i had little sleep last night and was groggy and felt horrible. thank you, i'm going to be trying this again tomorrow. The worst thing about it was different parts get hit by the water, so just as you thing your getting used to it, BAM an un showered bit gets hit by freezing water. At least the bathroom felt really warm when i got out

People think i am crazy having cold showers. but i am doing it for about 6 months and i feel great. i don't feel sick and i feel energized. i just wear a shirt in the cold and nothing has happened to me. I tell people i am a new breed of human beings. Now i know that there are other people like me. WE ARE KNOWN AS THE ICE PEOPLE. WE WILL RULE THE WORLD.

Started these 2 years ago-- I am now 73-- and take only cold showers-daily-- feel revitalized and have not had an illness since I started. These with my 3 day exercise regiment really has given me "new look" on life.

I have been taking cold showers for about five years now. I can't imagine starting my day without it. All my friends think I'm nuts, but I feel revitalised and everyone always comments on the sheen on my hair. (I'm not sure if this is related or not). However, I love it and thoroughly recommend it to everyone.

i've been taking cold showers and they are absolutely amazing. You feel 500% more 'alive' than a hot one. try this and you won't be disappointed.

Cold Shower is the only type of shower there is!

I started taking cold showers in the mid eighties as a method of punishment for partying too much. One day, my Chinese landlord got fed up with the comings and goings out of my place and turned off my water heater. I figured that IF I did not confront him about it he would not gimme any lecture. So... I continued taking freezing showers and I LOVED IT!!! While in the shower I used to shout - I LOVE ICE COLD SHOWERS...

Many years and dollars later, I concluded that there is no question in my mind that it was one of the best discovers I ever made. Everyday I feel vibrant and alive.

Taking a cold shower was recommended to me by a friend and I forgot about it until 2 days later. The idea came to me and I figured it was worth a try. After my first cold shower, the feeling was incredible! Very invigorating! It seemed to give me more energy and I noticed how much it was helping my skin. After the second day of taking a cold shower, I told my roommate that I was convinced that one of the secrets to success is to take cold showers!!! I explained to him that the effects of taking a cold shower last the whole day where a hot shower lasts for a half hour and makes me a little drowsy. He continued to laugh at me but that invigorating feeling still came after each cold shower. I get so much more out of a cold shower than a hot one. That's the bottom line. Its great to hear that so many other people benefit from cold showers too. Its been 5 days and I'm hooked!!

My family and I like to visit the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a National Park in Missouri yearly. In this park are some rivers, the Black, Current, Jacks Fork to name a few. These rivers are fed by natural springs along their courses which makes the water 59 degrees year round. It is so invigorating to swim in this water although it takes a while to get used to it! I always have felt that this water invigorated me; I just couldn't and can't get enough of it! After reading your web site, I will try the cold showers here at home and hope that I will have the same feeling that the Current River gives me. Thanks for the information.

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...