The humble cold shower is one of the essential weight loss tools that every man should own. It’s easy to use, it’s effective, and it has zero side effects. Let’s dive into the research and uncover whether or not taking a cold shower can help you lose weight.
Does Taking A Cold Shower Help You Lose Weight?
The short answer is yes, it does. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, subjects who took a cold shower lost more weight than those who used a hot shower. The researchers noted that the participants who took the cold showers lost an average of 3.7 pounds more than the participants in the hot shower group after 12 weeks of testing. While the overall weight loss in the study was modest (9.3 pounds on average), the results were still clinically significant. Moreover, the men in the cold shower group saw more dramatic results than the women who took part in the study. But why is that?
As we’ve established, the humble cold shower can be an efficient tool to lose weight. However, it won’t do any good if you don’t know how to use it correctly. Here are some tips on how you can get the most out of that cold stream.
How To Take A Cold Shower
The best way to take a cold shower is to use a bath towel rather than a robe. The former is more efficient at keeping you cool and dry, and it allows for more movement. Toss your clothing aside (except for underwear) and get into the tub. The water should reach your chest when you stand under it. Do not stand closer than three feet from the shower wall because the heat will build up and you’ll warm up rather quickly. If you want to take a longer shower, get a towel and place it on your head to block the sun. This way, you’ll keep cool, and you won’t burn yourself during those hot summer months. When you’re done, get out and dry off. Make sure you wash the tub and the shower enclosure thoroughly so no bacteria can grow.
Why Does Taking A Cold Shower Help You Lose Weight?
There are several reasons why taking a cold shower helps you lose weight. First off, the liquid nature of the water allows for more evaporation. As humans, we’re more likely to retain water, and thus, are more likely to retain weight. Secondly, being in a cold climate slows down your metabolism. It’s well-established that metabolism rates are higher in cold environments, and this serves as a perfect example of that. When you’re cold, you’re not really using your metabolism as much, and this also contributes to weight gain. Thirdly, being cold decreases your body’s need for food. When you’re cold, your body doesn’t need additional fuel to sustain itself. This is why dieting during the winter months is generally recommended. Lastly, when you’re in a cold environment, your body heat can act as an insulation. When you’re hot, you radiate heat, and this slows down the rate of heat loss. Being in a cold shower, however, helps you conserve your body heat and prevents heat loss, which in turn, helps you lose weight.
What’s The Best Time Of Day To Take A Cold Shower?
As we established above, the best time of day to take a cold shower is in the morning. This is because the sun rises in the east, which means that it will be hotter than in the west. If you live in the eastern parts of the United States or in Canada, you’ll want to take your cold shower in the morning to begin with. If you live in a place where the sun doesn’t rise or where it does but it’s not very hot yet, you might want to wait until later in the day. The main thing is that you’ve got to wash that tub and the shower enclosure thoroughly after every use (even if it’s just for a few minutes). This will help keep the water clean and free of germs. You should also clean the nozzle of your shower head regularly with soap and water to keep it smelling sweet.
How Long Does It Take For The Benefits Of A Cold Shower To Happen?
It takes about 10 minutes for the benefits of a cold shower to occur. However, if you’ve been in a hot shower for that long, the rush of getting into a cold shower will feel great. As soon as you get into that cold water, you’ll be able to tell that your body has been asking for it. You’ll begin to shiver, and this is a good thing. It means your body is trying to cool down. Once you begin to shiver, it’ll only take another few minutes for you to start losing weight. Make sure you stay under the water for at least 10 minutes before getting out.
Are There Any Negative Side Effects To Taking A Cold Shower?
Surprisingly, there are no major negative side effects to taking a cold shower. However, there are some minor ones that you need to be aware of. First off, if you get cold easily, you might develop a sensitivity to the water. This is why it’s best to start out with a cold shower rather than a hot one. Moreover, if you use cheap bottled water when you shower, you might become sick from the lack of minerals. Lastly, if you use the wrong soap, it could become more aggressive. If you use cheap soap or if you get the cheap variety with a lot of chemicals in it, you could damage your skin. This is why it’s best to go for the natural soap that your mama (or your grandma) uses.
With the above information, you should have a firm grasp of the pros and cons of taking a cold shower. Just remember: you’re only young once, so enjoy the health benefits as much as you can.
Ultimately, though, it’s up to you whether or not you’ll incorporate taking a cold shower into your routine. You’re the only one who can decide what’s best for your body and your mind.