I’d choose to bathe in hot water over a cold shower any day, any time. I just love the after-effect and the soothing hot shower gives after a bath, be it summer or winter season.
Recently, I had the opportunity to witness a debate about the perks of cold water or hot water bath. Frankly, the cold water defender’s story was more fascinating, and to me, she won the debate.
However, after looking up the perks of a cold water bath, did you know that cold showers should also be incorporated into your daily routine?
Yes, cold showers. The very one I hate taking in the morning when I’m the first person to be awake and the last person to shower. I recently discovered that I literally enjoyed how I felt after giving a cold bath a fair shot, though.
Irrespectively of your opinion of either hot or cold showers, research demonstrates [1] that they both provide advantages for your health that you should be aware of.
Amazing Perks of Cold Shower Bath
Do you know that cold water can;
- help calm itchy skin
- help to wake you up esp while reading.
- increasing blood flow
- reducing muscle soreness post-workout
- potentially boosting weight loss
- glowing hair and skin
Cold baths soothe irritated skin
According to Dr. Adam Friedman, taking a cold shower can help you avoid the need to scratch if you have itchy skin or skin disorders that make you itchy.
Cold baths in the morning aid in alertness
Truly, cold baths in the morning can aid in rapid alertness, There is some shock when the cold spray reaches your body. This shock heightens:
- respiration intake
- heart rate
- alertness
Taking a cold shower improves circulation.
One of the main arguments in favor of cold showers, according to experts, is improved circulation.
Circulation on the surface of your body is restricted by the cold water when it strikes your body and external limbs. To maintain your optimal body temperature, This causes blood in your deeper tissues circulates at faster rates.
Since exposure to low temperatures causes the circulatory system to reduce inflammation and can help reduce the risk of heart, a cold shower has the opposite impact of a hot shower on someone with hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
After challenging workouts, taking a cold shower helps alleviate muscular discomfort.
Your muscles will rest and mend themselves after a strenuous workout thanks to the regenerative qualities of cold water, It would help repair worn-out muscles quickly.
Cold showers could speed the weight loss Process.
Reducing fat allows some fat cells, such as brown fat, to produce heat. While your body is subjected to chilly temperatures, such as when taking a shower, they do this.
According to Dr. Gerrit Keferstein, these cells are mostly situated around the neck and shoulder region. So, perfect for showers!
For Healthy Hair and Skin
It is important to note that there is no scientific study on the benefits of cold water for your skin and hair. But, subjective data suggest benefits.
Wellness expert Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, says that cold water tightens and increases blood flow, which makes your skin seem healthier and more radiant. Also, cold water closes and strengthens your hair cuticles.
Risks of taking a cold shower
If you’re already freezing, taking a cold shower might not be a smart choice because the reduced temperature won’t do much to warm you up. In fact, it could prolong the time it takes for your body to rewarm and make you feel colder.
Since you’re unwell, they might not be a good idea either. It is indeed wise to ease into the warmer temperatures at first since they could be too taxing on your immune system.
Reasons we’d choose Hot water over Cold water
I am usually tempted to take a hot water bath at night whenever I feel so tensed and exhausted from my day’s activities or have difficulties winding down or sleeping to relieve tension.
According to Keferstein, hot baths trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which makes us weary, therefore this is a frequent technique for muscular relaxation before bed.
Hot baths also have the following advantages:
- alleviating respiratory discomfort
- Hot showers help with blemishes
- facilitating muscular relaxation
For alleviating respiratory discomfort
Do you know that standing in a hot shower with the steam surrounding you has long been used as a natural remedy to reduce cold and cough symptoms? The heat from the water and the steam can help:
- open airways
- loosen up phlegm
- clear out your nasal passages
Hot showers help with blemishes
Hot showers can help open up the pores of the skin, which allows you to clean out the trapped dirt and oil and lessen breakouts.
Facilitating muscular relaxation
Being in hot water effectively helps relieve body tension and can help soothe muscle fatigue.
But, yes, beloved a hot shower does have some downsides.
However, the good news is, you don’t have to give them up completely. You just need to turn down the temperature a bit and take care of your skin afterward.
Hot shower downsides include:
Your skin might get dry and irritated from hot showers. According to Schaffer, the keratin cells on the epidermis, the outer layer of our skin, are harmed by the hot water. Dry skin results from these cells being damaged since they are unable to retain moisture.
Additionally, they may exacerbate specific skin diseases. Higher temperatures facilitate skin evaporation and aggravate problems like eczema.
You can get itchy after a hot shower. According to Friedman, the heat might trigger mast cells to release histamine into the skin, causing itching.
Your blood pressure may also rise as a result. Taking a shower might help if you have issues with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
Perks for Both
The cold water’s ability to constrict blood vessels is what gives it its health advantages. This implies that the center of the body will receive all the blood.
The hot water will widen the blood arteries, causing all the blood to flow out at once. This may totally circulate blood through the muscles and organs, which is excellent for promoting cleansing and regeneration.
