Cold Shower Benefits: Ancient Rituals and Modern Health Boosts

I began taking cold showers 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, they make me feel incredible, like I can touch the sky. No joke. I usually take them at night but I had a state test today so I decided to take it since I've read on here it boots energy and concentration (I get distracted and tired really easy) and it turned out to be true. They also make me sleep like a baby, where before I had insomnia.

As 2 others mentioned, it makes you hair really curly (I have extremely curly hair, even with warm water) but they get less frizzy than they usually do. I would reccommend these to anyone as they do help.

Word of advice, I purchased one of those shower heads that have the metal cord thing so you can hand hold it to spray parts of your body. This helps a lot as you have more self control over doing it and dont instinctively move out of the water, you are forcing yourself to do it. Awesome remedy, thanks much!!

I must admit, I was very apprehensive as I am not a fan of cold water but all the posts here worked me up. I started with my feet and legs, then arms as I was afraid the shock directly on the heart would send me into cardiac arrest. (I always was a bit of a pain wuss) The horror! It was like being attacked by an army of evil, miniature trolls wielding tiny frozen ice piks. It was especially amplified in the head area. The HORROR but I refused to give up, reminding myself that the body will adjust its temperature, effectively turning my tortured skin into a barrier between me and the evil trolls.

I couldn't take it, and opened my mouth to scream in surrender when amazingly, a loud horribly off key opera roared forth. T'was just the ticket. I sang like never before, turning round and round reaching a singing ferver when something strange began happening.

The water didn't hurt anymore and in fact, began to feel wonderfully refreshing. The singing continued and I actually began enjoying the whole experience! I washed and sang feeling energized as I pictured the evil trolls swooshing away down the drain.

After jumping out of the shower, I vigorously dried myself off delighting in the wakeful feeling of aliveness that soared my spirits. I shall see how long this lasts and seriously consider attempting another one before bed tonight. Thanks all for this wonderful site!

Oh and a question...is there a time limit for the cold shower before it starts to adversly affect one?

I had a terrible rash under my armpits a couple of years back now. I tried EVERYTHING! I remember it would flare up and the itch would increase 10-fold when I had hot showers. It got that bad that the skin had broken. In conjunction with a honey based cream and using bicarb. as a deodorant, the cold showers bought IMMEDIATE relief. With the water directed into the armpits, the itch would go straight away. Most certainly, the hot/warm water did 'something' to stimulate the bacteria (or whatever!) that was present. Thanks for such a wonderful site; I've been a long time reader and always visit whenever ailments inflict me or my family. ACV and H202 being my favourite remedies!!

Cold showers are fun. I take them every morning and I sleep great at night. The cold showers really help my immune system and my autonomic nervous system. It also regulate my brain chemistry. I tried the dip showers, but the cold is lots better for me. I tried taking them twice a day but I decided to take them in the morning.

The cold shower therapy works really well for lifting my mood and making me feel alive. I am doing many other therapies, but I believe that the cold showers are the reason I have been so happy the last few months and have experienced moments of amazing joy that occur out of the blue and for no particular reason. I get cold easily and so starting this therapy made me question my sanity. I have to say that I started with cold showers in August of this year and that it is much easier to take cold showers in the summer than now! Even in the summer however, I was never able to stay in the shower until I felt warm. Now that it is winter, if I am even slightly chilled before I get in the shower, I will take a warm shower and gradually throttle it down so that I end the shower with a cold rinse. I think having the bathroom warm is important if you are going to try this therapy.

It seems, the one really important word has been left out of my message: "Ultimately about 20 to 30 SECONDS, but depending very much on age, fitness, body mass, time of the day, health status. We don't all have to be winter swimmers - but our modern life lacks the stimuli of the natural world we experienced in prehistoric times, and a short cold shower can restore some of our birthright." Finishing a warm/hot shower with a cold one for a few seconds improves immune function overtime. Staying under a cold shower for prolonged time (and then walking into a cold room) can suppress the immune system - especially if you are not young and healthy.

And, please, refer to the contraindications and cautions in my water book "Health20".

You wrote, "Cold showers, used properly, are a tonic for the entire body." Sould you please elaborate more on how to use them properly? Thanks, Chris

I came upon this site and now I think I am hooked on this idea of cold showers instead of hot. I took one last night and one this morning and I am feeling the effects already. This morning I took a cold shower when I arrived at work after biking in and it seemed to really wake up my senses to get me ready for the day. I really enjoy cold water swims so I knew I would enjoy these cold showers as well. I am going to take one at night and one in the morning from now on.

I took a cold shower before breakfast (on an empty stomach) and it instantly cured my loose stools.

Moreover, it cured my loosened headaches and nausea forever. Drowsiness, acne, orange, stiff joints, loose and stiff stools, sore throats, fevers, stress, tired blood, haunted. I have also been losing weight at an alarming rate. Gout.

re: Cold Showers -- I just took 2 of them yesterday and they felt pretty good. The water probably isn't that cold since its summer and I'm in Southern California though.

I remember taking a cold shower one time right after a brisk run and that one felt amazing. Actually, I ran intensely for about 15 minutes, then quickly smoked a cigarette right after, and immediately ran in the house and took a cold shower. At first, I was just enjoying the cold water as a much as I could. I had severe palpitations but it felt wonderful. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody though since I'm guessing there is a risk of heart damage or failure. I haven't tried again since then either.

For the people who are wondering if they should try a cold bath or shower, they should consider how cold their cold water is. My cold water is not that cold right now because its 100F outside, so bath water may warm too quickly for me. But if your water is super cold - somewhere in South Argentina during this time - immersing your entire body in ice cold water might weaken your immune system too much. The shower provides a stream of water at a consistent controlled temperature and exposes only parts of your body to the cold at a time.

This is my second post regarding cold showers therapy. It is basically an update. It has passed almost three months since I started cold showers. Now I take 2 showers, one in the morning and one in the evening, before going to bed. I use lukewarm water only when washing, because the soap washes off easier. Since my last post, for a couple of weeks I became more sensitive to air changes, like sneezing a lot when leaving the house. However this situation lasted only while I was on holiday. The change of environment may be the cause, but I have no way to prove it. After that, I found out that one of my relative also showers with cold water for the last 15 years, and since then she didn't catch cold. She told me 3 advices to have in mind:

1. When showering it is important to start with the feet first, then arms, and last the chest. This is to force the blood to go the chest to protect the heart.

2. Always use the most cold water that you can get.

3. Cold showers are not marathons. The duration shouldn't be very long.

I didn't use any stimulants,like coffee or energy drinks, before starting this therapy but I always was sleepy during the day. Now, after the cold shower in the morning I feel refreshed and full of energy, and this state lasts throughout the day . I also had very few bad mood days and none depressions.

Someone here mentioned that he wears only a shirt under the jacket in the winter and didn't catch a cold. I also tried this, but when the weather is very cold (near 0 degrees C) I shiver a lot, although I didn't catch cold. However, I don't suggest doing this.

WOW was all I could say after my first cold shower by design. Into day three, I notice that I have more energy that last longer throughout the day. The great feeling after the shower has prompted me to take a mid-day cold shower. I cannot imagine ever taking another hot shower. I only wish my water was colder.

I tried the cold shower therapy and found it great. Very energizing. But, I am notoriously warm blooded, and I had to develop a routine cause it was too cold at first. I think the key is the adjustment period when getting started..I started with water very cold and did head and armpits. Then I turned water to medium(it will feel warm) . Do the whole body for a few minutes. Give it a few minutes so body temperature can adjust to water temperature. Slowly crank it to cold in increments , and when you get to cold stay there as long as possible. Do a little more each day.

Hi, wow how interesting to read these reviews. I have severe depression. It comes and goes, I'm 24 and can't stand having absolutely no control of my thoughts. I was desperately searching the web today (while at work of course) to find more cures. I am going for a jog, and taking a cold shower. I will follow up with all of you to let you know. Sounds inspiring to me.

Actually, there are many studies that B-vitamin deficiencies leads to depression, anxiety, agitation etc..

http://www.cure-your-depression.com/vitamin-b12-and-depression.html

That is just one site, look up more for reasurrance

I would do a multi B-liquid (for best absorbtion) and extra on Methyl B-12 ( the other form is from cyanide and leaches methyl from your body, so very bad)just to make sure my bases are covered thoroughly

taking a cold shower give you so much energy and especially in the morning it saves money and gives you healthy skin i love it im hooked!

I have taking cold show for 9 years. I think this is the most powerful natureal therapy. My immune system is so strong that I seldom get sick. I suggested my coworkers to try, they said i am crazy.

I heard about cold showers jumpstarting circulation and I have gradually been working up to a cold shower by ending a warm one with cold water. It seemed a strange and painful punishment but it was free, and who doesn't love free? I haven't stayed in it long enough to feel lasting benefits, but I have noticed I have no need to go back to warm water and it's much better coming out of a shower when the room feels warm instead of cold. It almost starts feeling good. I will definitely continue.

I am excited and shocked to see that other people are having the same experiences as me in taking cold showers. I feel completely awake, but calm after a nice fresh dip. I have even had experiences of mild euphoria. My method mirrors many others. Start with cool water rand increase to cold. I've experimented with different temperatures and found, however, that if the water isn't cold enough I just shiver. When the water is colder the blood starts moving and I internally heat up. This is where the good stuff is. Has anyone else had that experience? Not cold enough water making you shiver? Anyway.... Cold showers are no joke. They take time to get used to, but after a while of taking cold showers a morning hot shower starts to seem slightly decadent.