Getting into a cold shower first thing in the morning may not be an appealing thought, but numerous touted benefits surround this practice. If you’re unsure whether cold showers could benefit you, know what researchers have to say about it.
Cold water therapy has its roots in ancient medicine and includes the use of techniques such as cold showers, cold spray, and immersion in cold baths. Cold showers typically involve bathing in water with a temperature ranging between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three minutes at a time.
“Cold showers have been shown to increase immunity, improve mood, and decrease inflammation,” Dr. Kendall Egan, a board-certified dermatologist from Las Vegas, Nevada, told Medical Daily. Here’s what research say about the potential benefits of cold showers.
Immunity:
Taking a cold shower may stimulate leukocytes, the blood cells that help fight off infections such as cold and flu. A study that analyzed the cumulative effect of cold showers on sickness, quality of life, and work productivity found that they may be beneficial in reducing absence from work due to illness. People who switched to cold showers for 30, 60, or 90 seconds for 90 days had a 29% reduction in sickness compared to the control group.
Skin:
Cold showers can be beneficial for individuals with itchy skin. Improved blood circulation associated with cold showers may help to keep the skin clear and healthy. “When you take a cold shower, the blood vessels in your skin constrict, in an attempt to stay warm. Blood moves away from your skin to your core organs, like your heart and lungs. When your skin warms back up, the blood returns to the skin. This movement of blood washes out inflammation and renews the skin! Cold water also ‘tricks’ your brain and decreases itching. Your skin sends a cold message to your brain and decreases itchy sensations,” Dr. Egan explained.
Hair:
Showering in hot water may strip natural oils from the scalp, while cold showers may help to calm an itchy…
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