A year ago I embarked on a life changing alteration to my morning routine. After several months of my husband Dougie convincing me that cold showers are good for you, I promised (slightly reluctantly) to give it a go. I haven’t looked back since with my shower routine and as I share often on my socials about taking the cold plunge, I thought it time to write about it here in more depth for others who may be thinking about some cold water therapy.
I wanted this post to be an account from both myself and Dougie, as his enthusiasm for cold showers made me incorporate them into my routine, so I thought it only just that he got to be included on what made him take the cold plunge, although he takes it to the next level which he will enlighten you on.. Over to him:
‘As I’m getting older my interest in self care has increased, always with a view to evolving into a better, healthier version of me. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, sprouting, barefoot running or cold showers the reason is always the same. With cold showers though, two main benefits are readily apparent. Firstly, a cold shower really does wake you up and get you firing on all cylinders for the day! Secondly, like many of us, my mental health has peaks and troughs. I’ve found that regular cold water exposure has improved my mood and made me feel more balanced on those days when I have needed it most. I recently acquired a wheely bin that I’ve filled with cold water specifically to practice full body immersion in, and regularly take a dip. Cold showers for me last 1 – 2 minutes, but I’ve reached 15 minutes immersion in the bin recently and achieved a very relaxing meditative state while doing so. Whether shower or immersion (it’s been called binny-dipping!), the benefits are real and immediate.’ Dougie.
Why are cold showers good for you?
Cold showers are good for you for so many reasons. Some of these benefits really surprised me and I can vouch that some have worked for me.
- Pumps blood around the body, waking you up
- Decreases inflammation, sore muscles and improves recovery
- Energy booster
- Focuses your mind
- Boosts immunity
- Improves lymphatic system
- Helps with anxiety and depression
- Increases metabolism
- Great for the skin
- Makes cold air feel less unpleasant
- Instills a sense of routine, positive habit and sense of discipline
- A small sacrifice that makes you feel grateful
- It’s better than caffeine
- Beat your cold with cold
- Cold water is good for your hair follicles.
The list of benefits from cold water therapy really makes it a no brainier to give it a whirl. Some of the health benefits aren’t obvious or immediately apparent after showering but I can honestly say some others really are.
How I take a cold shower
Dougie got into the cold shower method by being inspired by the Wim Hof method. He passed on these tips for starting and this definitely helped me ease my body gradually into it over a 4 week period.
- Shower hot & wash as normal
- Step out and turn to full cold
- Step back in: wet your legs, then arms, then chest & face then back and hair.
- Enjoy for 15 seconds
Week 2 for 30 seconds, week 3 for 45 seconds and week 4 for 60 seconds. After this your cold water resilience is built up and you can do it for as long as you like.
How cold showers work for me
Cold shower technique has really made a difference to the way my day starts. There really hasn’t been a day go by when I don’t have a cold shower. If I have ever forgotten to turn it from hot to cold I will often get back in and finish my shower with a cold blast so my day starts positively. For me I find my mind is more focused, my energy boosted, my anxiety reduced, I’m refreshed and my aching muscles soothed. I would love to say that I have lost pounds after cold showers but unfortunately I timed taking them up with lockdown and so pounds being lost didn’t quite happen to me whilst I was comfort eating! Now that I’m on a post lockdown fitness mission, I’m hopeful that cold showers will help aid my metabolism.
I will be honest in saying that yes there are a few days of the year (very few) where I have been too cold to want to have an icy blast. In the middle of January it can phase you when the water is at its iciest. Every time I convince myself out of backing out by reminding myself that this is the time of year that my body and mind need that boost and motivation to take the day on. I switch the tap to cold and ease myself under gently.
Go take a cold shower
All that is left to say is if you’ve got this far and read all about the benefits and how to do it then all that is left to do is turn that shower temperature down and join an elite club of cold water ninjas!
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