The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Fountain of Youth
Posted by Edwin (New York)
★★★★★
I have been doing cold shower therapy now for about 3 weeks; I shower twice a day. I feel great, look great, and feel a sense of well being all around. I also started using Pure Almond Oil, and my wife says that my skin never felt so soft...like a baby! I'm 51 years old and to have skin feel soft like a baby...well...you know the rest.
Energized
Posted by Joe (Pocatello, Idaho)
★★★★★
I recently started taking cold showers just out of the blue. I'm not sure why, other than I know that the heart is pumping harder trying to keep the body warm, and it seems that anything to help with the circulation is going to benefit the body. I started mainly because I had been out swimming with the dog in the cool river, and when the temperature outside is nearing 100 degrees, the water feels so good. I came home and once again was feeling drained by the hot weather, so I jumped in the cold shower, and have been doing it since. It's sort of a challenge each day to see if I can stand taking it all the way down to the left side of the dial where the hot has completely stopped, and the water is so cold it takes my breath away, but that's the fun of it! It almost feels like pushing to run that extra mile or lift weighs for another ten minutes. The warm sensation when I step out is really invigorating.
I do start off with it just comfortable enough to get into, and then cycle it down pretty quickly after that. Years ago I would do cold water in the middle of a hot shower, so that I didn't get out shivering, but I wonder if that has the same effect. Certainly seemed much easier to do when I knew that I was going to turn the hot back on in a minute, just the same way jumping out of a hot tub to roll around in the snow before jumping back in was always a rush.
Anyway, nice to know that my cold showers are doing good things for me after all, and thanks for the informative site!"
And more helpful feedback from Brendan, writing to us from Ireland: "I have been taking cold showers every morning for the past 9 months and find them extremely invigorating both mentally and physically. I am not a medical person and have researched the topic of hydrotherapy to learn more and found from experience the following to be true. To take a cold shower it is important to take one after, not before, a hot shower. The coldness of the water is bracing, but like swimming, is something your body adapts to. If you get a pain in the back of your head or start shaking uncontrollably, the water temperature is too cold and you have lost your wits!! It's a health regime, not an arctic survival course! Cover [with water] all parts of the body, especially the joints, the feet, head and stomach, which will improve blood flow and digestion. Coming out of the shower, you will find yourself alert and warmed up and like a good breakfast, will set you up for the day. If you have any questions please drop me a line. All the best, Brendan.
Energized
Posted by Al (Atlanta, GA)
★★★★★
I've been taking cold showers for two years now, every morning, and sometimes in the evening. I am addicted. I start my day with an energy level that is not possible to attain in any other fashion of which I am aware. I don't get sick in the winter, even when I go out without a shirt on. I don't take warm showers at all anymore. I used to think that I was a little nuts, but now after visiting this web site I'm relieved. I've only told a couple of my closest associates about my addiction to cold showers since most people would find it hard, if not impossible to appreciate or understand. I have also dispensed with air conditioning in my auto and home. I find myself returning to the days of my youth when such modern conveniences were non-existent. I walk a lot also. I practice the separation of mind and body, and cold showers assist me in taking control of the body through the power of the mind. I readily confess that cold showers are now a way of life for me and I feel blessed that I accidentally found out about this magnificent therapy when our heater went out and I was forced to take my first cold shower. Take care and God bless. It's time to take my shower! Al Jefferson
Invigorates Mind and Body
Posted by Toussaint (Louisiana)
★★★★★
After three years of hot-cold showers in the evenings and cold-cold showers in the mornings, the only regret I have is visiting locations where the water just doesn't get cold enough... I've found no other remedy that awakens such innate energy and realigns my ability to focus and concentrate.
Invigorates Mind and Body
Posted by Sid (San Francisco, CA)
★★★★★
I take a hot-cold shower 7 times as recommended by Dr. Schultz.
At first I thought this was excessive but it wasn't at all. Moreover, it encouraged me to involve myself in taking cold showers at all.
I found after 3 hot-colds that my body tolerated the cold much easier and by the time I got to the 7th time, I was able to endure the cold shower easily. The results are remarkable as it easily brings me out of depression and brings good cheer and optimism to my heart. Moreover, my energy levels are high and I can then take my exercise routine with no difficulty whatsoever.
There are too many good points about this discipline and I would encourage anyone to undertake this to do. If it is winter time and you feel really chilled out then it may be better to really arm up your body with a very warm shower until you feel enough strength for the first cold shower. And, it may be tough so do it for only a few seconds if you feel your body is weak. Then hot again until you feel strong enough to do the cold again for a few seconds. If after the third time you find it is chilling your body too much then I would not continue.
However, there is a distinction between a healthy body that can endure and enjoy the hot-cold routine and someone who may have a chill that has weakened the body so it is best to start the hot-cold routine during the summer or when you are feeling well rather than start it when you are tired, feel weak and lacking energy. Moreover, people who exercise have better circulation and can naturally enjoy the difference. I
have tried taking only a cold shower but my feeling is that there is a distinction and that the hot-cold may have an extra edge on getting a better circulation and it will certainly encourage non-participants in getting involved. If anyone has other thoughts or info on this I would be glad to receive their input.
Invigorates Mind and Body
Posted by Jason (Belmar, NJ)
★★★★★
i am so happy that i literally stumbled across this web site. i have been a "polar bear," for the past seven years and it is the the greatest day each year. Not only do you get to raise money for a great cause, the Special Olympics, you get to jump into the icy cold Atlantic, 38F this year, and what a charge you get. i live right near the beach and i try to get up there as much as possible, especially in the winter. When i go i like to take a few handfuls of water and rub them on my face and head if it is not bitterly cold out. The feeling of the ice cold water on my face head and in my beard is amazing. i always believed that there was healing properties in the ocean, but i never knew that was such great benefits from cold shower therapy. i can't wait to start. Thank you so much.
Strengthens Immune System
Posted by David (Los Angeles, California)
★★★★★
I used to catch a cold 2 or 3 times a year. But ever since started taking a cold shower every day 11 years ago, I have had a cold only once or twice, and simply feel great in general.
Anxiety
Posted by John (Arlington, TX)
★★★★★
I started taking cold showers after I developed panic disorder, general anxiety disorder, and moderate depression. Cold showers have been the best distraction out of any other distraction to get a panic attack to go away. It feels so good when I take a cold shower that it is like an addiction to me. I feel instant gratification both physically and mentally when I take cold showers. They our the best to get rid of negative thoughts, minor physical pains from within the body, fear from a panic attack, and anger. At first I tense my muscles together so I can get use to it and then I let them un tense and let the water flow and it feels so great. Also I feel that my body is working better and I am a lot more alert and awake. I always feel like I am regenerated afterwards no matter how much I am going through. It is an intense body high. I would recommend this to anyone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or addiction problems. Remember when you take any of these three away you need to replace them with something else and cold showers is a great safe alternative that works wonders!
Fountain of Youth
Posted by Jim (UK) on 11/26/2005
★★★★★
for 40 years I have cold showers regularly (2 of 3 times/day), sleep nude and never wear underclothes -and feel great!
Chronic Sinusitis
Posted by Sachin (Mumbai, India) on 12/23/2005
★★★★★
I never knew about Cold Water Therapy when I started taking cold water showers. It made me feel great. I also observed that the chronic sinusitis I have been suffering from (because of which I used to sneeze 20-30 times every morning) gradually disappeared since the day I started taking cold water showers. It is then that, just out of curiosity, I searched the net to know if there are others who have experienced the same effects of cold water and here I am. Now I know that there is a therapy dedicated to Cold Water and there are a bunch of other crazy guys who have been practicing it. This motivates me to continue with it and spread this information.
Fountain of Youth
Posted by Herman (Nogales, Sonora) on 01/07/2006
★★★★★
For some accidental reason in winter time even with snowy weather I started taking chilling water showers about 15 years ago 7 days a week and since then I have never gone through any type of cold illness or anything related with it. It made me tolerant to cold weather. I never thought of it as a therapy until now I came up with this web page and made me curious about its benefits,,,would like to know more about its benefits. I thought I was the only nuts person doing this,,,feels great!!!!!
Invigorates Mind and Body
Posted by Cas (Windermere, FL) on 01/14/2006
★★★★★
Cold Shower is the only type of shower there is!
I started taking cold showers in the mid eighties as a method of punishment for partying too much. One day, my Chinese landlord got fed up with the comings and goings out of my place and turned off my water heater. I figured that IF I did not confront him about it he would not gimme any lecture. So... I continued taking freezing showers and I LOVED IT!!! While in the shower I used to shout - I LOVE ICE COLD SHOWERS...
Many years and dollars later, I concluded that there is no question in my mind that it was one of the best discovers I ever made. Everyday I feel vibrant and alive.
Invigorates Mind and Body
Posted by Samuel (Auckland, NZ) on 01/22/2006
★★★★★
i've been taking cold showers and they are absolutely amazing. You feel 500% more 'alive' than a hot one. try this and you won't be disappointed.
Best Time to Take Cold Shower
Posted by Erick (Ventura, CA) on 01/24/2006
★★★★★
Before I found this site I thought i was the only one who took a cold shower at 5:00 in the morning. It's good to know I'm not the only one.
I first started taking cold showers after night workouts. It was actually by accident, but then I saw the colder the water got, the better I felt. I felt fresh and i slept a lot better. It's not till later that I even thought about cold showers in the morning.
I used to go to work at 6:00 in the morning and for a long time i always felt tired, no energy and my eyes always half closed, when I finally took a cold shower, I had more energy and felt alot more awake.
I originally started taking cold showers because of how it made me feel. I had no idea about the positive effects to my health. The only thing that sucks is that the water doesn't get cold enough.
Cold Shower Tips
Posted by Ahmad (Kansas City, Missouri) on 01/31/2006
★★★★★
Cold showers are not for everyone! Your body will tell you; shivering inconsolably like a pager on vibrate without acclimating. In this case, the potential good will have to be outweighed by your own mental well-being and stamina. But if you're those fortunate ones to stomach this midwinter dance, then try to make routine the targeting of the area under your arms (where the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems connect. This is a conduit point for blood flow and setoffs the body for a silent symphony of contractions between your bouts of frigid shower time.
