Gaby
Research conducted in various countries over the decades has proven the benefits of cold exposure for our health.
Cold Boosts the Immune System
Experts claim that turning on cold water during a shower for at least 30 seconds can help strengthen your immune system. It turns out that the shock of cold water stimulates white blood cells, which fight infections.
According to a 2016 study by Dutch scientists, those who incorporate cold water into their bathing routines spend less time on sick leave.
To reach this conclusion, researchers involved over three thousand participants aged 18 to 65, who typically preferred warm water during their showers. For three months, volunteers were encouraged to turn on cold water in the shower for 30, 60, or 90 seconds. As a result, they experienced 29 percent fewer illnesses compared to those who stuck with warm water.
Supports Weight Management
Taking a cold shower every morning can even help maintain your figure—provided you shiver afterward. This is linked to thermogenesis, the process by which the body generates heat, leading to calorie burning.
A study by a team from the Leiden University Medical Center (Netherlands) showed that this method is quite effective. Researchers systematically observed 24 adults taking showers at 7:45 AM and 7:45 PM. During the experiment, the water temperature was gradually lowered until participants began to shiver, typically reaching a low of 9 °C.
The results indicated that under low temperatures, volunteers burned more calories. Interestingly, there was no difference in energy expenditure between morning and evening showers for women, while men tended to burn calories primarily during their morning showers.
Researchers from Aston University in Birmingham (UK) assert that exercising outdoors in cold weather promotes significant calorie burning and weight loss. This is because the body adjusts to accelerate metabolism in such conditions.
Supports Heart Health
Exercising in cold weather requires less physical effort, meaning the heart doesn’t have to work as hard as it does on warmer days. Researchers from St. Mary’s University in London found that cold temperatures reduce a runner’s heart rate by six percent.
This mechanism allows cold-weather exercises to enhance the body’s endurance.
“At lower temperatures, the heart doesn’t have to work too hard, you sweat less, and expend less energy, which means you can train more effectively,” noted Dr. Adam Tenforde from the Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard.
Reduces Depression and Alleviates Stress
While the idea of a cold shower may not evoke joyful emotions, it can actually improve your mood.
A 2007 study conducted at the University of Virginia Commonwealth (USA) found that cold exposure alleviates symptoms of depression. It turns out that cold temperatures activate the nervous system and increase blood flow to the brain, leading to a release of norepinephrine. This neurotransmitter has a positive effect on mood, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Other studies have also shown a spike in dopamine levels after exposure to cold water, known as the “pleasure hormone.”
Some medical professionals even recommend swimming in cold open water as a treatment for depression.
According to a 2004 study by Finnish researchers, stress levels drop sharply in response to immersion in cold water. The team surveyed 82 participants about their mood and well-being before and after winter swimming outdoors. Researchers found that stress levels in volunteers significantly decreased, and their memory and mood improved compared to a control group that did not swim at all.
The team explained this by noting that cold water triggers the release of norepinephrine, along with providing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
