Many people prefer warm showers to cold showers. However, some studies have shown that using cold water may be beneficial to physical and mental health.
Cold showers have many physiological effects on the body. These include: increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and elevated respiratory rate. Cold water also increases the body’s metabolism because it has to work harder to maintain a stable temperature. However, because the typical duration of a cold shower is only around 5–10 minutes, a person should not rely on its metabolism-boosting effects as a weight loss technique.
Water therapy (also called hydrotherapy) has been used for centuries to take advantage of our body’s tendency to adapt to harsher conditions. As a result, our bodies become more resistant to stress. Cold showers are not a main source of treatment for any condition, but they may help improve symptom relief and general well-being. Endorphins, which are sometimes called happiness hormones, are also released. This effect leads to feelings of well-being and optimism.
Cold showers are not a magical cure-all for any condition. They should be used as a supplement to traditional treatments, but not as a replacement.
