This is one that noone will be jumping out of their seat to do in a hurry, and for that reason I think its one of the most overlooked aspects of health. It takes next to no brain power, very little extra time and effort, yet has numerous health benifits:
- Increases blood circulation just beneath the skin, and throughout the body.
- It brings a flush of fresh blood throughout your circulatory system, clearing and cleaning it
- Reduces blood pressure
- Strengthens and reinforces nervous system
- It contracts all your muscles, helping clear them up (especially good post-workout for clearing lactic acid buildup)
- Helps resist the likes of hay fever, allergies, colds and coughs.
- Very refreshing and very energising
- Promotes self disipline and will power
How I do this usually is have a normal shower with hot water in which i wash etc, then turn the heat off, so just cold water flows. I then leave it like that for around 5 minutes, ensuring everything is soaked in beautiful coldness. If you wimp out early, you won't get nearly as much of the benifites, because you won't get the fresh flush of blood to your system.
You will find that after a couple of times doing this, it will require an iron will to turn the lovely warm heat off, to the cold iceyness that awaits. But its good for you, you will feel great after, just do it.
A general comment people give when it comes to showers is don't do it if the room you're in is cold. This would mean that for people who live in temperate climates like me, wouldn't be able to do it for most of the winter months. My resolution: After spending your time in the cold, flip the heat back on, not too hot, and just for no more than 30 seconds, then out you pop.
Most people I know think I'm beyond nuts for doing this every morning, and a lot of you probably think the same. But hey, why don't you just try it for a couple of weeks. Replace your morning coffee with your morning ice cold shower. (Actually, if you do this, you'll think cold showers suck because you'll go into caffeine withdrawl and life will basically suck.)
Hello John. Thanks for the no nonsense posts on fitness issues. It's good to read some practical, pragmatic advice on a subject that can get so fraught with confusion.
ReplyDeletei just stumbledupon your blog and read through the first posts. i like your realistic points of view and the advice all seems very sound to me.
ReplyDeleteCheers guys, be sure to stay tuned for future posts.
ReplyDeleteregarding this particular post on the cold showers, i started taking them not too long ago, but i don't switch over from warm to cold in the middle of the shower, i just start with and stay on cold the entire time. does that still provide me with all of the benefits you listed, or should i start my showers warm from now on?
ReplyDeleteGood question, and yes it will as long as you stay in the shower long enough you will get all the effects. Its just for me on a cold morning its really unpleasant stepping into a cold shower, on warmer sunny days I also just use cold water.
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