I guess a cold shower differs from location-to-location and season-to-season. I usually only take them after a hard all-nighter when I'm feeling terrible the next day, but still have to be coherent. It's like an instant, but unpleasant dose of a stimulant, probably due to the sheer shock of it. Notice how when you're in warm water, that eventually turns cold (overstaying your soak in a bath...), you don't get any of these benefits? A cold shower can be good after being in the sun on a very hot, humid day as well. But I'm a sissy, I can't even drag myself out of hot showers most of the time, due to fear of cold air. Surely thousands of years ago, when our primitive ancestors had to shower, the water wasn't heated conveniently. Maybe we're designed/evolved to have them now and then?
Absolutely. Read up on the benefits of Cryotherapy.
The science is both solid and intriguing. A mate of mine who prides himself (so much so that he is possibly the most arrogant person I've met in my entire life) on his "scientific cynicism" (it's a shame when we live in such a world that only data collected and studies conducted by men in white coats is viable, rendering everything else "hocus pocus" - life is comprised of more than we can begin to comprehend, things that only human experience and ancient anecdotes may allude to) doesn't believe in the benefits of Cold Water Therapy, which I find hilarious for several reasons:
1) The evidence is there, the individuals attesting to it is there, the studies are there, the ancient knowledge is there (Ishnaan Therapy - Ayurvedic practice around involving cold water therapy for spiritual vitality)
2) It's pretty much only because he doesn't have the grapes to do it and must refute it for this very reason.
I kinda went off on one there, so back to the topic at hand...
Nature will always provide us with what we need. This makes sense, because we have evolved over 200,000 years to adapt to our surroundings and utilise what is around us. Berries and nuts are two of the healthiest foodstuffs. They were easy to forage and fairly abundant. Our bodies adapted to utilising the components of these items. Chlorophyll in leafy greens, for example, is a great source of Vit K for us, where the chlorophyll is essentially the "blood" of the plant, absorbing the sunlight and executing that ingenious process we half-absorbed as we slept through boring Biology classes.
Now, I seriously need to stay on topic. Back to the thread...
Cold showering is especially fantastic for us as it flushes out the metabolic crap from our muscular cells. It enhances autoimmune function, which I can attest to as I used to be susceptible to colds, frequently picking up colds. Now, since beginning the cold shower regime, I haven't had the slightest sniffle, where everybody in my group of friends has done several times. That's absolutely enough evidence for me personally. I was ALWAYS the first to get the flu. Not any more! There is research to suggest that Cryotherapy increases the levels of glutathione in the body, which is a particularly powerful antioxidant.
For me, the most prominent and useful effect is the alleviation of anxiety, depression and the vitality gained. I, again, as an experiment, recently stopped the cold showers and only had hot showers, and in 3 days my mood was significantly lower, energy was minimal and I just didn't feel like I had the strength and courage to take on the day.
This isn't to say that warm showers and baths don't have their place. I still have the very occasional warm shower before bed to help relax me but only infrequently. I don't feel good after a warm shower at all. Makes me feel kinda weak and ill feeling.
It really reflects on your mood for the day, affecting your ability to endure and deal with stressful situations. It's all relative.
SO EVERYONE, GET IN THERE AND SHOW THAT SHOWER WHO'S BOSS! Scream it, do it now, scream "Ain't no shower the boss of me" and get the hell in there! You will thank yourself. Seriously.
I rather get shot in the kneecap then take a cold shower.
That has got to be about the last sane thing I'd ever want to do. I like to relax in a warm shower before work not take a cold shower - the thought of it has me shaking at the moment. ._.
Just leave your handbag at the door and get in there son
Just joking pal, I understand where you're coming from, I was the same, but seriously though...try it. Just once. Don't go intensely cold, you will just overly-shock yourself. Just go "cool to chilly". Not only will it not harm you, it will be surprisingly beneficial you will find. There are a plethora of benefits, both in-your-face and noticeable, and others more "under-the-radar".
"Yeah but it will be uncomfortable as hell" I hark ye cry.... but just try it pal. You may surprise yourself. After a good 30-60 seconds, it doesn't even bother you that much and you feel AMAZING after it.