Exercise is beneficial to overall health, but what you do after also makes a difference.
Apart from helping maintain good personal hygiene, hitting the shower can spell the difference between a good workout and an amazing one.
Here are seven benefits of cold showers after a workout (apart from beating the sweltering heat!).
1. Increases circulation
2. Reduces soreness
There is a popular notion that hot showers can relax the muscles. However, a study in the Journal of Sports Science notes that reduced muscle soreness is also among the benefits of cold showers. It has regenerative properties and that help your muscles recover after a rigorous workout. As counterintuitive as it may seem, go on, and put the cold water on full blast. You’ll feel refreshed and rested after.
3. Boosts weight loss
Did you know that a cold shower after a workout can also help boost weight loss? A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that brown fat, which produces heat to maintain body temperature, also burns more calories in the process. These fats reside on the neck and shoulders – usually the spots in the body most exposed to water when showering.
4. Tightens and rehydrates the skin
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research found that cold water tightens and constricts blood flow in the body. It hydrates and detoxifies the cells and improves skin and muscle tone. Unlike hot water, cold water doesn’t strip the skin of its natural moisture. It also helps smoothen hair cuticles, resulting in silky and shiny hair.
5. Releases anti-stress hormones
Working out releases much-needed endorphins in the body and taking cold showers after can stimulate the nervous system even more. The cold temperature releases hormonal signals that help enhance mood and improve the psychological function of the mind and body. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, these hormones fight cortisol and act as natural painkillers. Apart from reducing stress, they also ward off feelings of anxiety.
6. Increase mindfulness
While self-care can help with mental health, cold showers specifically increase mindfulness. A blast of icy water stimulates the body and prompts the mind to pay attention. This enhanced awareness can help you listen to your body better, especially after a workout session. It can also help us relax and increase our ability to handle stress.
7. Strengthens the immune system
Taking an icy rinse offers protection against diseases. It increases the number of white blood cells in the body, as cited in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. These cells are responsible for maintaining a strong immune system. They circulate through the bloodstream, looking out for foreign organisms that can threaten your health.
Tips for taking cold showers
If the thought of hitting the showers in frigid temperatures still doesn’t sound that appealing, ease into it, rather than taking it all at once. The cooler temperatures can shock the body, so start with lukewarm water before going all the way. Introduce the cold sensation to one body part at a time.
