At 8Shades, we believe that sustainability and wellness are a match made in heaven. That’s why we are hyped up about cold showers, which are not only remarkably eco-friendly, but a gateway to some serious wellness benefits.
Cold showers aren’t just a new age woo-woo brought to you by homeopathic hippies. There’s widespread consensus among the scientific community that cold water immersion will make you glow from the inside out. Think sparkling water with a twist: you will be the one sparkling.
First timers beware, you are in for a shivering shock. But you can rest assured that after a few nippy times, cold showers will become your go-to method to shock your mind into focus, jolt your body into recovery, and spark your soul. You need not become a serial cold shower taker overnight. Most people opt to start slowly and steadily. You can adjust your water temperature gradually, starting with lukewarm temperatures and progressing towards colder ones.
Additionally, you alternate between hot and cold water. Another fan favorite is ending your hot shower by going completely cold for five or ten seconds and then committing to add a few more seconds to your cold record each week. Anyways, let’s get back to the copious benefits.
1.
WATER YOU DOING?
In Hong Kong, there is growing urgency to tackle water scarcity. Be part of the solution by cutting your shower time to conserve water. Taking a cold shower will do just that. Instead of luxuriating under hot water, a cold shower will make you eager to turn off the tap and go seize the day. Remember: every minute of shower time equates to 8 liters of water. Most of us take an average shower. If you cut back your shower time by just one minute a week, you can help save up to 16 litres of water.
2.
SAY WATT?
Cold showers also conserve electricity. It takes much less power and resources to take a cold shower instead of running the hot water heater. You can cut your monthly utilities bill too!
3.
TREAT YOURSELF WITH A COLD BREW
Taking a cold shower triggers an adrenaline rush and can give you a much-needed energy boost. Cold water awakens your skin receptors, which promotes blood circulation and increases activity in your brain––both of which will make you feel super alert. For those of us who have a caffeine-dependency that’s getting out of hand, taking a cold shower is a godsend.
Just ask Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, who swears that a cold shower is “better than caffeine.”
4.
NOT A PORE DECISION
Did you know that cold showers tighten your pores, replenish your skin, clears acne, and smooths fine lines? Many supermodels (Karlie Kloss, Kate Moss, and Miranda Kerr to name a few…) have shared that their favorite beauty trick is splashing their face with ice water to help turn back the clock. In other words, take a cold shower, get a free flash facial.
5.
- MY NECK, MY BACK, MY SEROTONIN HAS COME BACK!
Cold water activates your central nervous system, increasing the availability of neurotransmitters like endorphins. Feeling anxious? Before you reach for the antidepressants, try taking a 30 second cold shower, which can increase your dopamine by a whopping 250% and promote your serotonin levels. Many psychotherapists have started recommending cold showers to their patients as a treatment for depression.
6.
ACE THE STRESS-TEST
The first few times you take a cold shower may prove uncomfortable. Such discomfort (the “I am freezing my tits off” kind of feeling) won’t last forever, especially as the novelty of the cold wears off. Many of us often take longer hot showers, or warm bubble baths when we are feeling down in the dumps.
Why not try the opposite approach? Build up mental fortitude by pushing through two to three minutes of discomfort. You’ll emerge feeling like a Bad Ass ready to battle your way through your long To-Do list. Plus, a cold shower will help lower your cortisol (stress hormones), making you feel less stressed and more stress-resistant throughout the day.
7.
OH MY QUADS!
Cold water triggers an anti-inflammatory response to help flush out the lactic acid in your muscles, expediting recovery and preventing injury. It’s not a coincidence that the world’s top athletes eagerly plunge into an ice bath after a strenuous workout. It’s the one performance enhancer that they can’t get tested for.
8.
BEING SICK IS SNOT FUNNY
Compared to hot showers, cold showers produce much greater levels of immune-boosting white blood cells, which means less days spent in bed sick with the flu, or feeling enslaved by your allergies.
Also, a quick shout to our male audience: did you know that cold showers boost testosterone? If James Bond takes cold showers, so should you. According to one study, 30 minutes of cold-water therapy a weak increased sperm count among male participants by 491%.
Come one, come all.
