You know that feeling when you dip your toe into the ocean, and the icy temp takes your breath away. Well, that cold water can take away a lot of other nasty things too like frizz, stress and a low libido. Cold water therapy has been used in other cultures for centuries, and we’ve slipped into our share of hot and cold plunge pools at the spa. But it wasn’t until I heard my husband screeching in the shower that I realized we can get the same benefits of the spa in our own shower, and it’s free! You see, my husband has a bathing tradition that he inherited from his dad, and it’s come to be known as "The Cold Water Rinse." At the end of every shower, they turn the temperature dial to cold (that’s when the screech happens) for anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. It takes some chutzpa, but once you get in the habit, you start to like it. That’s because you experience a slew of health and beauty benefits. I’m the first to admit I love a scalding shower, but these 10 reasons may convince you to turn the knob the other way. Would you try the cold water rinse?
1. Improve Altertness
The shock of cold water increases your overall oxygen intake, which gives you a natural wake-up call.
2. Stress Reliever & Endorphin Releaser
Cold water helps regulate body temperature, slowing down the heart rate to aide in anxiety reduction. It also releases endorphins, which will put you in a better mood. Even if you’re not 100% committed to the full-body rinse, a splash of water on your face will help you focus.
3. Increase Body & Heart Circulation
Turning your shower from hot to cold is the same concept as going from a hot plunge pool to a cold one at the spa. The jarring change in temperature improves circulation because it forces the blood to rush to surrounding organs to protect them, including the heart. In addition, over time it can lower and stabilize blood pressure, clear blocked arteries, and improve your immune system.
4. Soothe Sore Muscles
A quick, cold shower is like a natural pain reliever for achy post-workout muscles.
5. Better Hair Days
Cold water seals the hair cuticle, which means your hair will look shinier and less frizzy than if you didn’t expose it to the chill.
6. Skin Savior
Hot water dries out skin; cold keeps out pimple-causing bacteria and tightens the pores.
6. Weight Loss
Yes, you can burn fat. Here’s how: Cold water activates the burning of fats that are used to keep our bodies warm, burning extra calories and increasing overall metabolism.
7. Strengthen Immune System
Taking daily cold showers can activate the immune system and increase the number of disease-fighting white blood cells.
8. Hangover Helper
When you’ve had too many drinks and feel like arse, everything we’ve already talked about applies. One cold shower should check off all the boxes to help you feel more alert, less sore, etc.
9. Happier Sex Life
Believe it or not, in addition to giving you an energy boost, a cold water rinse increases levels of sex hormones for both sexes…talk about a stress reliever!
10. Extra trick: Nails!
A dunk in ice-cold water for 3 minutes in between coats helps to set and harden the polish. This is one of the fastest ways to avoid smudges and quickly move on with your daily to-do’s!
research by Marguerite
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