While enjoying the luxury of a warm bath, many people are unknowingly putting their health at risk. Scientists have found that bathing regularly can lead to health problems because water becomes very warm in the presence of heat sources such as hair and body heat. This is why scientists recommend taking a cold shower instead.
Health Benefits of Taking a Cold Shower
Taking a cold shower is great for your health. Its benefits extend beyond traditional bathing and include mental and emotional health. Below are the health advantages of taking a cold shower.
1. Reduces Stress
Our body produces cortisol, the “stress hormone,” when we experience stress. The hormonal response to stress is one of the major factors that contribute to weight gain. The good news is that taking a cold shower can reduce cortisol levels and promote relaxation. One 2014 study from the United Kingdom found that subjects who took a cold shower reported a significant reduction in the levels of cortisol compared with those who took a hot shower. Additionally, the subjects who took a cold shower also showed a significant increase in their self-reported relaxation compared with those who took a hot shower. The researchers concluded that these results suggest that a cold shower may be useful in alleviating stress and promoting relaxation.
2. Promotes Healthy Skin
Our skin is our largest organ. It’s also one of the most complicated ones. Many people think that having beautiful, soft and smooth skin is enough to define a healthy lifestyle. But this isn’t true. According to scientists, UV radiation from the sun causes skin cancer. It also causes our skin to become dry and flaky. But being exposed to the sun’s rays isn’t the only factor. What we eat has an effect, too. Some foods can make your skin oily and shiny while others can make it dry and damaged. The condition of your skin is largely dependent on your internal organs as well as your lifestyle. One of the best things you can do for your skin is take a cold shower. The water in the shower will cool your body down, which in turn will help keep your skin healthy and moisturized. Just be careful when getting out of the shower so that your body doesn’t heat up too quickly.
3. Helps With Weight Loss
The benefits of taking a cold shower extend beyond health advantages. Fitness gurus believe that taking a cold shower can help with weight loss. Put simply, the chill in the water causes your body to shiver, which in turn increases your metabolism and burns calories. This is one of the primary reasons why people who love taking cold showers tend to lose weight easily. But while taking a cold shower can help with weight loss, it’s not the be-all and end-all. You need to consider other factors, like your diet and exercise routine, to see real results. Nonetheless, for those who want to lose weight, taking a cold shower is a great place to start.
4. Enhances Sex Appeal
Taking a cold shower can help your sex appeal. After all, who doesn’t want to be surrounded by a cool environment while getting down and dirty? One study from the United Kingdom’s National Health Service found that being in a cold shower could increase your testosterone levels, which makes you appear more virile. And what’s more is that taking a cold shower can help make you more attractive to the opposite sex. One of the reasons why men are more likely to take cold showers is because it makes them more attractive to women. So if you’re looking to up your sex appeal, take a cold shower. Women will find you more attractive and men might even think you’re a bit of a stud.
5. Makes You Feel More Confident
When we’re not feeling our best, taking a cold shower can help boost our mood. New research from Japan shows that being in a cold environment can partially reverse the effects of aging. One of the hallmarks of aging is the appearance of gray hair, which is associated with a decreased self-esteem. But being in a cold shower can temporarily reverse these effects. Participants in the study who were in the cold shower for just 10 minutes experienced an increase in their self-esteem and a decrease in their anxiety, which is associated with an increased self-esteem. It’s a win-win!
Despite its many health benefits, bathing regularly is still considered to be a luxury. That’s why scientists suggest taking a cold shower instead. While traditional bathing promotes health and comfort, warm water increases the risk of health problems. This is why scientists recommend avoiding bathing unless necessary and taking a cold shower whenever possible. The health risks are simply too great: you’ll suffer from hypothermia if you don’t take proper care of yourself, and you’ll put your health at risk by bathing in hot water.