The 14 benefits of showering with cold water
In most people, thinking about showering evokes pleasurable sensations. This iconic and pleasant image will disappear immediately if we add the detail that the shower in question is with cold water.
However, a lot of people intentionally take a shower with cold water in the morning, which clears them up and prepares them for the day. This is because, as most people already know, contact with cold water has multiple advantages for our body. In this article we are going to talk about precisely this fact: about the benefits of showering with cold water , and why this habit should be incorporated into our routines.
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14 benefits of showering with cold water
Although it is a stimulation in principle aversive for a large majority of people, the fact of showering with cold water involves a series of advantages and positive effects on our body and our psyche. Some of these benefits can be observed directly after sporadic contact with cold water, but other benefits will be less visible unless there is a habit or certain regularity .
1. Clear and active mind and body
The main effect that we see directly when we shower with cold water is the fact that activates and clears us . The thermal receptors and neurons located in the skin are activated to send a warning message to the rest of the system, generating a response from the body in the form of generalized activation in the cold. It is a natural reaction to the body's need to maintain homeostasis or internal equilibrium at the temperature level.
2. Improves circulation
Exposure to cold water has positive repercussions at cardiovascular level: in the cold our heart rate increases and the blood vessels contract. The blood travels at high speed and loaded with oxygen to the main organs and muscles, improving circulation to these areas. In this sense It is advisable to alternate between cold showers and others with hot water (which would make the blood go more easily to the surface of the skin).
However, people with some kind of heart disease and cardiovascular disorder should be very careful, since the contraction of the blood vessels and the acceleration of the heart rate can be harmful in their case.
3. Increase the attention capacity
The activation of the nervous system is another benefit of showering with cold water, which stimulates the secretion of certain neurotransmitters like the noradrenaline that makes us able to be attentive and vígiles.
- Maybe you're interested: "Types of neurotransmitters: functions and classification"
4. Improve your mood
Showering with cold water has significant effects on mood. And is that the thermal shock with cold water causes the production of noradrenaline in the brain is stimulated, which ultimately will generate greater activation and a slight improvement in mood, relieving stress and anxiety . Other studies indicate that it also causes a decrease in the level of cortisol.
5. Increase oxygenation
When our body comes in contact with very cold water, we immediately begin to accelerate our breathing. This is linked to the aforementioned alteration and cardiovascular acceleration. The body needs a greater amount of energy to cope with the cold, which means accelerating the acquisition of oxygen. A) Yes, increase the oxygen levels of our body , as well as the rhythm with which blood circulates through the body.
6. Accelerates the metabolism
As indicated above, in the presence of cold our body will begin to demand energy in order to maintain the internal temperature at adequate levels. For this, it generates an acceleration of the metabolism, consuming the resources stored in the organism. The consequence of this is that with exposure to cold we start to burn sugars and fats to maintain body temperature to acceptable levels.
7. Activate the immune system
The generalized activation of the system and the acceleration of the metabolism generated by water favors the activation and improvement of the immune system, which is better prepared to fight against infections and external aggressions when more white blood cells or white blood cells are released.
8. It improves the libido and the quality and quantity of sperm
Fertility is another aspect that is influenced by the fact of showering with cold water. The cold stimulates the secretion of testosterone , which in the long run has an effect on the libido and sexual responsiveness.
9.Deflates and relieves pain
It is usual that when we give ourselves a blow and we have some type of inflammation, we use the cold to lower it (for example with a bag with ice). This effect is due to the fact that the cells surrounding the injured area demand a lower amount of oxygen with the cold, reducing the swelling of the affected area . Showers with cold water have the same effect (although in this case the entire body is exposed to cold). It also allows to relieve muscle aches or even headaches.
10. Improves sleep
Another benefit of showering with cold water is in the dream. Although the fact of submitting to a shower of cold water makes us clear, with the passage of the day facilitates that just as we have tensed our body can relax. It has been seen that it facilitates sleep conciliation and improves its quality .
- Maybe you are interested: "Advice to sleep well and overcome insomnia"
11. Promotes better diuresis and renal and lymphatic functioning
The kidneys and lymphatic system also improve their functioning with cold, allowing a better expulsion of toxic elements and waste from our body.
12. Increase productivity
The benefits of showering with cold water in the morning, taking into account the effects described above, also include an increase in the level of mental activity that the person will be able to perform and an increase in their productivity.
13. Benefits in skin and hair
People who shower excessively often lose the natural protection that covers and protects the skin in the form of fat, especially if they do it with hot water. In the long run, they can dry out skin and hair. Cold water, on the other hand, does not generate this loss of skin fat and also Allows skin toning when stretched . It also prevents hair loss and causes it to have a higher shine.
14. Strengthens self-esteem and self-control
As we have said, most people find a more or less aversive stimulus in cold water. That is why the fact of showering with cold water can be experienced as a small challenge or challenge to overcome , which in the end generates a greater sense of self-control, self-efficacy and self-esteem.
