I learned about the benefits and methods of cold water showers.

Have you ever tried taking a cold shower?

When you go to the bathhouse, you alternate between hot water and cold water, then come out.

Somehow, I felt a lightness and swelling had completely gone away...

Everyone has had this experience, right?

We looked into how to make cold water showers healthy, as cold water showers are known to promote metabolism, improve blood circulation, and boost the immune system.

 

 

 

Take a cold shower like this

Step 1. Set the bathroom temperature appropriately

Cold water therapy generally uses water at a temperature of about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.

 

Step 2. Start from 30 seconds

If you are new to cold water showers, start with a 30-second shower. If 30 seconds is difficult, 15 seconds is okay too. Gradually increase to a maximum of 1 minute per week, then 2 minutes, with the ultimate goal of 5 to 15 minutes.

 

Step 3. From hot water to cold water

If you find it difficult to get used to cold showers, alternating between cold water and warm water for 15 to 30 seconds can also help. Alternatively, starting with warm water and gradually switching to colder water is also okay.

 

 

5 Benefits of Cold Showers

1. Taking a shower with cold water makes me feel good.

Taking a shower with cold water makes you feel mentally clearer, and it's not just a feeling. When cold water touches the skin, blood circulation increases and blood is directed toward the core. As blood flow improves, it carries more oxygen throughout the body, which also helps to make our mind a bit sharper. Additionally, drinking cold water can cause the release of endorphins, giving a feeling of vitality. In fact, a study suggests that regularly taking cold showers can help boost energy levels, similar to the effects of drinking caffeine.

 

2. If you're suffering from muscle pain

Just like cold compresses are used to reduce pain or treat injuries after exercise, taking a cold shower or soaking in cold water can have similar effects. According to clinical trial results, both people who applied cold compress therapy within an hour after exercise and those who took a hot shower were found to be effective in delaying muscle soreness. Since hot showers can dry out the skin and cause irritation, if you have to choose one, taking a cold shower would be better.

 

3. Cold water shower to burn fat

Some say that taking a cold shower can stimulate metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which our body converts food into energy. Increasing metabolism during rest can help burn calories and fat inside the body. In other words, to keep the body warm, we shiver, and this is said to influence metabolism.

 

4. Pain relief

According to research, when our bodies are exposed to cold, cold receptors in the skin send electrical signals to the brain, resulting in a significant reduction in pain. An increase in endorphins improves mood and acts as a natural painkiller when experiencing pain or stress. It also appears to trigger anti-inflammatory responses, which may help eliminate inflammation-related pain, but further research is still needed.

 

5. Prevention of various diseases caused by aging

Adiponectin, a hormone primarily synthesized in adipose tissue, is the most abundant peptide involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. There are research findings suggesting that cold water showers can help increase its levels. Adiponectin is known to play a role in preventing age-related diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.

 

Source: W Korea