Actually I've started to find that when you do it every day (which I have since reading this thread - thanks), you get to the stage where the refreshingness of the cold water is the reward that you look forward to. Which is amazing, considering the total shock the first time you do it!

And it definitely helps with depression - so, good find Spartan.

12 essential reasons to have cold showers:

1: Mood booster:

It gives you an instant rush, leaving you feel awake and alive. Cold water releases natural endorphins into your blood stream and brain. It shifts your mood. There are many scientists who even believe cold showers can help alleviate symptoms of depression.

2: Releases stress and tension:

Tension is generally blocked energy and a cold shower helps move and shift that blocked energy. Better energy flow equals a more relaxed and less stressed you.

3: Improves circulation:

Cold water stimulates blood flow to the core of your body bringing better blood flow to your organs and glands. Improved blood flow equals more oxygen and a healthier you.

4: Flushes out toxins:

The cold water contracts your muscles to encourage the flushing out of toxins. With improved circulation the removal of toxins and pathogens is far more efficient.

5: Clears negativity from your aura:

When your aura is strong it acts as a protective shield. When fragile or damaged it can leave you drained and depleted. Cold showers are excellent for cleansing, uplifting and strengthening the energy field around your body.

6: Cleanses your chakra’s:

Cold water is known to spin your chakras. Its such a simple way to cleanse and revitalize them. Make sure the cold water reaches all chakra’s, in particular the throat chakra which can often get missed if your neck is not fully open and extended.

7: Strengthens your immune system:

Improved circulation, more efficient removal of toxins and better oxygen flow throughout your body all support a healthier immune system.

8: Speeds up the healing process:

For all the above reasons your body is working more effectively in healing and repairing itself from illness.

9: Restores your energy levels:

Each cold shower boost the flow of energy throughout your body, releasing fatigue and lethargy. You are left feeling refreshed and uplifted.

10: Brings you fully into your body and fully into the present moment:

Without a doubt having a cold shower brings you 100% into the present moment. It is very difficult for the mind to wonder if you are in the middle of a 1 minute cold shower. You are totally focused on your body in the here and now. Try and worry about something else when you are having a cold shower. It’s kind of impossible.

11: Cheap and environmentally friendly:

Cold showers are a very green thing to do. It costs virtually nothing plus you are saving energy by not using hot water.

12: Clears negative thinking:

Our cells contain water, and water holds memory of our thoughts, beliefs and lifestyle. Regular cold showers help clear those cells of negative thinking supporting a more positive way of being.

Good stuff people! I'm really happy to hear this thread has inspired so many people in just two pages.



Great post Smokerx, lots of benefits! This last one reminds me of Masaru Emoto's work on water and it's relationship to consciousness. It makes a lot of sense that water would be a medium for thoughts/beliefs/emotions. Way cool.

I wonder if the effects would be the same if one were to dunk one's head in a bucket of icy water for the recommended 1-2 minutes? Maybe using a snorkel to breath if you can't hold your breath that long? Anyone have any thoughts/links to studies on this?

The reason I bring this up is because of convenience- maybe the effects could be enhanced by doing it twice a day, but not everyone would want to shower that often.

In my experience the bigger the nervous system shock the better the benefits - presumably owing to adaptation to temperature variation. Likewise this would allow you to regulate your day to day body temperature that much better due to the myriad benefits of being exposed to temperature range extremes.


Start off with luke warm water turning to cool water and work your way increasing the difference in temp over a period of weeks or months so your body can handle the shock better: you wouldn't try to squat 700lbs the first time you stepped foot in a gym! When you start doing this your breathing goes into shock but over time you learn how to control your breathing even with freezing cold water: this is pretty damn good for training your fight/flight response - would definitely have major benefits for those experiencing panic attacks as a cold shower is essentially a full body panic=>relaxation attack!

Given that the maximum temperature range observed on Earth is between 58*C (Libya) and -91*C (Siberia), we have quite a broad spectrum to work with. Of course as you got below zero you'd have to jump into a bucket of snow or something. -91*C liquid water would probably skin you alive.

For inspiration:

I actually started alternating hot/cold in the shower about a year and a half ago after a mix of intuition and seeing the "Iceman" Wim Hof performing his feats of extreme cold endurance which is based of the tantric practice of tummo. Since then I always end showers with a few minutes of cold water, I've learned to enjoy the process of overcoming the shock, it forces a focus from the mind that I have difficulty doing under "ideal" conditions. I've mentioned it to a number of people, and was actually told by a few chicks who were into health-care/aesthetics that it's good for the skin to, since it contracts and your pores don't clog as quickly as they do stepping out of a steaming hot shower. The biggest effect I've had is the mentioned immunity boost. I haven't been seriously ill for the entire time, other then a chest cold from quitting cigarettes (a few times ). But I'd have to agree I feel much more in tune with my metabolic system. Though it's had ONE drawback: I can't wear my favorite winter attires since I tend to get warm much easier. And I'm a man who loves his cheezy sweaters

I really liked SmokerX's list of benefits, I like to think of things in both scientific and spiritual terms. The part of water holding our thought structures was really resonant, after reading Dr Masaru Emoto's books on water ability to record information. It also matches well with the spiritual knowledge of water being the element of emotion (Emoto?? fractal resonance??)

ice baths and or hot/cold showers are great for muscle recovery aswell,

I usually lay in a hot tub then stand up and spray myself with very cold water for a minute then sit back down in the hot water, repeat a few times.

I took cold showers every day for a year and they where the most effective treatment I have come across for acne .
I dont suffer from acne any more but I will be taking up cold showers starting today because as I remember during that period I had a lot of motivation and was a stronger minded person in general.

I like that picture from Finland I would not mind to have some snow here in UK. I love snow but is not that a bit too much

I am in Barcelona right now 32 degrees Celsius and I love the sun and heat also. I went to some DIY shop today and you will not guess what I was trying to find ???? Yes you got it some nice clean solvent

Of the topic though sorry for that

I had a cold shower this morning and they are awesome!
The sudden rush of endorphins is fantastic , This is will be a daily thing for me once more

TEDx on Cold Shower Therapy for overcoming fear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb0h8ZKvJW4

(WOW)

Tried this for several month and in theory, it sounds great. It did not have any effects on me, unfortunatly. It was just uncomfortable.

Hmmm, I've been doing it regularly for the past couple years and have benefited from it physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Do you at least feel the endorphin rush after you get out of the shower?

A few things to consider if you're not getting anything from it:

Water temperature:

- The colder the better. But acclimate yourself slowly. You're body will get used to it.

Consistency:

- Some lessons, as well as effects, take time.

Attitude/Approach:

- Are you perciving this as a painful chore to get over with as quick as possible? Or as a strategy of Mindfulness; a Mind/Body/Spirit exercise in which you take a different approach towards stressful thoughts/situations in order to overcome them?

- Where is your attention fixated during the shower? Is it in the past, complaining about the discomfort and crazyness of taking a cold shower? Is it in the future, worrying about how much longer you will have to endure this torment? Or is it in the present moment, just experiencing the experience as is, without judgment?

Lifestyle and behavior:

- Is it conducive to the Intention of health and balance or draining you of the necessary energy and attention to maintain such health and balance?

i used to end my showers with a couple minute cold period when i was younger and i really liked the benefits, but stopped and forgot about it. i am definitely going to start doing it again though. It is especially wonderful if youre like me and not a morning person who could pass out in a shower, that cold spurt really wakes me up and feels like it gets my body running better too! Thanks for making this thread, i completely forgot about this until i saw it

Used to do it several years ago for a period of couple of weeks and I remember that it boosted my cognitive functions. Perhaps it is time to give it another try. Now the information about cold showers improving the chronic fatigue syndrome is very interesting, can anybody attest to it by true stories of themselves or their friends?

A new hope? Hopefully.

My aunt had heart attack and she has been taking cold showers all her life. Recovering she asked her doctor if she can continue. Doc concluded that since she had been doing it all her life it will be OK. Later on he noticed that she recovered very quickly because her peripheral circulation.

She thought me how to take cold showers, and she said when switching to cold water not to do it first on chest as we do, since it cuts the breath and shocks the body but in this order : - legs, arms, back and lastly chest. Afterwords briskly dry yourself with a smal towel from extremities to the center of the body, not up and Dow, just down to up.

Practicing this in Swedish or Russian sauna is best.

It is best to do some exercise first? Bodily discomfort is almost Nihil when I step in a cold shower not too long after physical exercise. I can also more easily handle colder water without much difficulty.

I like my warm showers though. But.. who knows, maybe someday i'll swim naked on the North pole.

^Good question.

I usually feel more comfortable taking a cold shower after a few bursts of alternating between hot and cold. Warming up by exercising also makes it more comfortable.

I recommend Rebounding as a great exercise for the lymphatic system that would pair well with cold showers, perhaps enhancing each other's effects.