{"id":16399,"date":"2024-07-08T12:10:55","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T11:10:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wowbeauty.co\/?p=16399"},"modified":"2025-08-12T15:08:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T14:08:55","slug":"the-benefits-of-cold-showers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wowbeauty.co\/health-and-wellbeing\/mind\/the-benefits-of-cold-showers\/","title":{"rendered":"The benefits of cold showers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that having a cold shower is a wonderful way to heal, recover and generally feel good, particularly after exercise?<\/p>\n

Now, we know the idea of a cold shower in winter sounds horrific, but now it\u2019s starting to warm up outside\u2026 is it about time you try a cold shower occasionally and see how it makes you feel?<\/p>\n

<\/span>What is cold therapy? <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Cold therapy, which is also called cryotherapy, uses exposure to cold temperatures to cool the body\u2019s tissues which has therapeutic benefits.<\/p>\n

Some of the ways you can apply cold therapy include cold showers, using a cold spray to numb a small area, cold immersion therapy or ice baths as well as localised ice application to treat injuries.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also something called whole-body cryotherapy, which exposes the whole body to very cold vapors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are multiple benefits to cold showers, most notably it can improve your mood, by boosting dopamine, your pleasure response hormone, and even increase your body temperature<\/em>,\u201d says Tracy Richardson, Therapist (MSc.)<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span>Intrigued?<\/strong> Here are some of the benefits:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/span>Reduces inflammation and prevents muscle soreness.<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Cold temperatures makes your blood vessels tighten (vasoconstrict) and blood then moves to your body\u2019s core and vital organs. Therefore, the blood naturally becomes more oxygen and nutrient rich. Then, as your body heats up again, the blood vessels expand, bringing the oxygenated blood back to your tissues. As it flows back, this helps to flush out inflammation which causes muscle soreness.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Improves circulation and accelerates your metabolism<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Cold water exposure sends your body into survival mode, working to maintain its core temperature and therefore stimulates your body to increase blood flow circulation. This can help not only with your health, but your skin will be glowing from the increased circulation.<\/p>\n

As your body expends energy to stay warm in the cold shower, it may help burn a small amount of calories and increase your metabolism.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Stimulates the immune system and helps prevent colds<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

There could be health benefits too. The shock of cold water can help to stimulate the cells that fight off infection (leukocytes).<\/p>\n

<\/span>Reduces tension in the mind and reduces stress levels<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Regular cold showers impose a small amount of stress on your body, which leads to a process called hardening, where your nervous system is gradually getting used to handling moderate levels of stress and can help you deal with stress in other situations.<\/p>\n

Gives your skin and hair a boost\"shower\"