What will happen to the body if you take a cold shower for a month: proven facts

Many jump into the hole at Epiphany, douse themselves in ice water after a bath, but forget about the beneficial effects of cold when they take a shower. But our grandmothers also talked about the benefits of systematic hardening. We learned what will happen to the body if we make this habit permanent.

What Science Says About Regular Cold Showers

There are many worldwide studies related to hydrotherapy in general and hardening in particular. One of the largest was held in the Netherlands in 2015.

More than 3,000 people aged 18 to 65 were divided into four groups. Every day the participants warmed up under warm water. The first group then took a 30-second cold shower. Participants from the second group stood under him for a minute, and from the third - 90 seconds. The fourth group (control) simply enjoyed the heat. The experiment lasted a month. All groups, except for the control group, were offered an optional extension of the practice for another 2 months. 64% of the subjects agreed because they liked it.

After a three-month follow-up, the researchers found that people in all three hardening groups were 29% less likely to take sick leave. Given the number of participants in the experience, this is indeed a significant result. But the length of stay under cold water did not affect the incidence.

Strengthens the heart and blood vessels

Alternating hot and cold water while showering is an easy way to improve circulation. Cold water causes blood to flow more actively to the organs in order to warm them. In addition, cooling is stressful for the body, leading to the release of adrenaline. Warm water reverses the effect: blood rushes to the surface of the skin. This is how a kind of “gymnastics” takes place, which strengthens the heart and blood vessels.

Restores muscles after training

Cold water has regenerative properties. No wonder ice is applied to bruises and bruises. After training, microtraumas form in the muscles. A cold shower will provide additional oxygen, improve blood circulation and relieve inflammation. Your muscles will relax and bounce back faster.

Helps relieve stress and prevent depression

Try to stand under cold water for at least 5-6 seconds. You will see: a bad mood will be removed like a hand! You will feel a surge of endorphins that will make you more energetic and happier.

A few minutes of practice a day has an antidepressant effect, says Nikolai Shevchuk, a scientist who conducted a study in 2008 at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

If you take a cold shower every day, your NERVOUS SYSTEM will gradually get used to a little stress. As a result, when a difficult life situation arises, you will meet it fully armed.

Promotes weight loss

During a cold shower, the body begins to actively burn brown fat, which is responsible for heat transfer, as a result of which more calories are spent. Stocks of white fat associated with excess weight also decrease: it begins to turn into energy-burning brown. Here is such a cycle.

In addition, according to Czech scientists, immersion in cold water speeds up metabolism by 350%! So an ice shower can really help improve metabolism and get rid of extra pounds.

Of course, you won't start losing weight just by taking a cold shower. It would be nice to focus on proper nutrition and sports. However, such a procedure will definitely become your faithful assistant in maintaining harmony.

Improves skin condition

Cold water helps to narrow blood vessels and pores, reduce swelling and redness. Often people with dry skin feel itchy after taking a hot shower. One way to combat this is to lower the temperature of the water as much as possible. Then apply moisturizer.

Another bonus: cold water does not wash away the layer of sebum, the natural barrier that protects skin and hair.

How to take a cold shower

After a week of practice, you will feel that cold water no longer “burns” so much, and you have much more strength!

Hot water is also useful, if not abused.

A hot bath at the end of the day is a pleasant and relaxing experience. However, please note that high temperatures:

• dries out the skin, damaging the cells of the epidermis, resulting in irritation and itching;
• exacerbates acne breakouts;
• weakens hair;
• increases blood pressure and negatively affects the work of the heart.

Therefore, lovers of such procedures should be careful and adhere to the rules:

Otherwise, the skin will lose a lot of moisture, and the heart and blood vessels will get too much stress.