Cold Showers

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Traditional medicine perspective: in the Ayurvedic texts of India, warm water was generally recommend for bathing/washing - but not for the head. It's a medical principle in this modality that hot water on the head/sense organs dulls them. The yogic scriptures, on the other hand, always extolled the benefits of cold bathing. For me personally, I think hot bathing does wonders for relaxing my body and keeping it healthy, and cold bathing helps to invigorate and enliven me to my fullest potential.

interesting... hope to see more posts from you in the future

 

[attempt4]

(It's "ma'am." )

Back on thread: How long did it take you guys to transition from a "normal temperature" shower to a "luke warm" shower for the entire time?

I dont understand the question?

The first time I had a cold shower, I just had a cold shower? DOes that answer it? Am I being ridiculously thick here (no surprise if so)

I think the most benefit can be obtained from ONLY having a cold shower, but thats jst me and who the hell am I?!!!?

 

[attempt4]

BTW, i'm terribly sorry about the tasteless chat. Will keep it on track ok, AP

 

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I skipped the cold shower today, and instead, jumped in the lake-- was probably way colder than any shower I've taken lately! Felt so good getting out...

 

[ektamine]

^ Hah, coincidentally, today I woke up around 12:00 decided, 'fuck a shower' and sprinted down to the ocean and jump in. Staye in a good 3 hours or so because it was so sunny and nice.

Feels sooooo amazingly good.

 

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^ Hah, coincidentally, today I woke up around 12:00 decided, 'fuck a shower' and sprinted down to the ocean and jump in. Staye in a good 3 hours or so because it was so sunny and nice.

Feels sooooo amazingly good.

I'd be swimming in the Pacific every day of the year if I lived where you did

 

[addictivepersona]

I dont understand the question?

The first time I had a cold shower, I just had a cold shower? DOes that answer it? Am I being ridiculously thick here (no surprise if so)

I think the most benefit can be obtained from ONLY having a cold shower, but thats jst me and who the hell am I?!!!?

Your answer of "The first time I had a cold shower, I just had a cold shower" does answer my question, though I'm also looking for other input. Not everybody made the switch overnight, I'm sure.

How long in days did it take you (anybody ) before you were able to take only a cold water shower? Did it take you five days of transitioning from hot to gradually colder before on the sixth day you had a totally cold shower? Did you go from a hot shower one day to a completely cold shower the next like in attempt4's case?

 

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hot shower, gradually getting colder-- to start; took maybe 2 weeks before I could jump in to a cold shower.

at this point, I feel bad taking warm showers.

this thread is making me want to go jump in the lake right now... think I'm spend most of the day down there tomorrow...

 

[ektamine]

Recenly been jumping straight into 100% cold.

The inital shock is becoming half the fun

 

[addictivepersona]

Arrived at work the other day (after biking seven miles there) only to discover there wasn't any hot water, at least not within a few minutes of running the water cranked all the way to "hot." So, I decided I'd take my first completely cold shower. Felt amazing. Stepped out and suddenly felt a strange, shooting numbness combined with wicked discomfort, going from above my right wrist to my finger tips. Looked at my hand and it was bright white. I have Raynaud's and frequently get it in my finger tips--Rarely the entire finger, let alone up to my wrist.

No more cold-only showers for me. :(

I do agree that they feel AMAZING though. :D

 

[Bricheta_albastra]

I get extreme anxiety right before entering a cold shower, it feels great after I'm done with it. I really like the fact that I get to conquer a fear whenever I shower.

 

[attempt4]

Anybody else still sticking with this? Who has pussied out? :D

to the person above: yes, there's alot to be said for "dousing". I always felt that how you react to things such as cold showers, reflects your nervous tension and ability to withstand external stress. I wholeheartedly agree. If you flinch, retract your body out of fear and discomfort and try to fight it then these experiences drift through into daily life and your ability to endure a stressful situation. This is of course, a matter of belief but in my personal experience and opinion, this is absolutely right and after recently researching about this, it turns out there are many who feel your reaction reflects your inner strength and vitality.

Anyway, I have to admit, about a month ago, for 1 week I stopped the cold showers out of weakness, but since getting back into it, I dont know why I ever stopped! It stimulates noradrenaline which, in turn can (and definitely does) alleviate depression. The feeling after is just incredible,

The history of cold water dousing is very interesting indeed.

 

[Darksidesam]

I used to love taking Cold cold showers. very refreshing.

but since my back and shoulder needs Popping/clicking/cracking, i use the heat in the shower to prep. Then i stretch my arms behind my back and my upper back cracks and gives me so much relief and i can stand up a bit straighter. My back is fucked already.

On a side note, im 20 this month

Lol

 

[addictivepersona]

Anybody else still sticking with this? Who has pussied out? :D

Arrived at work the other day (after biking seven miles there) only to discover there wasn't any hot water, at least not within a few minutes of running the water cranked all the way to "hot." So, I decided I'd take my first completely cold shower. Felt amazing. Stepped out and suddenly felt a strange, shooting numbness combined with wicked discomfort, going from above my right wrist to my finger tips. Looked at my hand and it was bright white. I have Raynaud's and frequently get it in my finger tips--Rarely the entire finger, let alone up to my wrist.

No more cold-only showers for me. :(

I do agree that they feel AMAZING though. :D

Tried it again a couple weeks ago. Same results. Won't be trying it a third time unless I don't have access to hot water--Not very pleasant to get Raynaud's in my entire hand.

 

[attempt4]

That's really strange, because just a couple nights ago I was reading 2 independent testimonies of people with Raynaud's finding cold showers alleviating the symptoms very effectively.

Darksidedsam, how come your back is fucked?!

 

[Rated E]

Wow, let's not turn this into a "who's dick's the smallest" discussion. 8)

Seriously: Any more talk like that and this thread will be closed. That's for the Lounge, not HL.

It's a bit of friendly banter, in relation to the topic. Lighten up.

I didn't know about the cold shower thing until I saw this thread. I've done it a few times, it is kind of exciting. I only do it in the morning, as I don't want to wake myself up too much before bed (I have two showers a day).

To those people who are fretting over their inability to have a completely cold shower; this site seems to support the idea that switching from warm to cold (and finishing on cold) can be more beneficial than having a solely cold shower:

the practice of starting with a warm shower, and ending the last few minutes with cool to cold water. Here are the benefits that you gain by incorporating a cold shower into your shower routine...

Warm water makes the blood rush to your skin, and cool water makes the blood rush to your organs. This switching between hot and cold triggers better circulation in your blood by forcing the blood to move. The ideal practice would be to switch numerous times between hot and cold water, but merely ending the shower with cold water does help with circulation

 

[Darksidesam]

That's really strange, because just a couple nights ago I was reading 2 independent testimonies of people with Raynaud's finding cold showers alleviating the symptoms very effectively.

Darksidedsam, how come your back is fucked?!

Being made to lift things i shouldnt at a £5 an hour rate. i was desperate for money, (For love not drugs. Not even going to bother anymore) regardless of using your knees to bend, 60 - 90kg is going to fuck your back isnt it?
What does it mean if it keeps clicking / cracking and i have the urge to relieve my pain by doing that ?

 

[attempt4]

It's a bit of friendly banter, in relation to the topic. Lighten up.

Absolutely. Sometimes it feels like some over-zealous mods do not allow any wee jokes or wisecracks on this forum!

I didn't know about the cold shower thing until I saw this thread. I've done it a few times, it is kind of exciting. I only do it in the morning, as I don't want to wake myself up too much before bed (I have two showers a day).

To those people who are fretting over their inability to have a completely cold shower; this site seems to support the idea that switching from warm to cold (and finishing on cold) can be more beneficial than having a solely cold shower:

Aye man, it really depends what you wish to gain from the hydrotherapy. If you wish to boost circulation amongst other bodily benefits, then yeah hot/cold can be better, but if you do it for the mental gain (which is mainly why I do it) such as beating anxiety, curbing depression and gaining inner strength then then solely showering in freezing cold water is the best option.
I don't feel there's much to gain from alternating hot/cold, personally. It kind of feels like you are cheating each time it goes hot!

I like to focus on my breathing and observe the feelings and ability to withstand the shock of the cold water and remain in only cold water as I feel I get more benefit from this, my skin feels and looks better and my mood is heightened so much more than alternating, which only feels like it does half the job.

But it's really pleasant when you switch from the freezing cold to hot!

Being made to lift things i shouldnt at a £5 an hour rate. i was desperate for money, (For love not drugs. Not even going to bother anymore) regardless of using your knees to bend, 60 - 90kg is going to fuck your back isnt it?
What does it mean if it keeps clicking / cracking and i have the urge to relieve my pain by doing that ?

That's bollocks man...I wouldn't do that. You would be better off on the JSA. £5 an hour is below min. wage, so how are they getting away with that?

How is your form with lifting the weights? You could theoretically lift these weights all day without serious health issues arising provided you lift properly, with a tight contracted abdominal core, a straight solid back, driving through the hips keeping your knees in line with your toes at all times (you dont want to fuck your knees up by twisting your knee caps outwith the line of your feet).
You want to only bend at the hips, NEVER bend or arch your back. As you drive up with your hips to lift back up, extend the hips forward and keep the back up. Throughout the entire movement, keeo your head up and fixed ahead of you.
If you are familiar with weight training, then simply employ the Back Squat technique. Brooks Kubik once said about the lift: "as if a giant gorilla had a hold of your ass and your shoulder and was trying to straighten you out."

As for the clicking, I am not too sure mate. My wrist does the same from time to time and I never worry about it too much. I wore a strap for a while and went easy on it, and it went away.
Just go easy on your back, lift slowly and follow the instructions i said there.
Rest plentifully, and practice stretching/yoga. Drinking alot of milk seemed to help my bones aswell. Lower back pain is a massive area that many suffer from, if you find it that painful and uncomfortable, then speak to your doctor. There are loads of ways to help out this affliction.
I used to work as a Labourer and landscaper on a building site, which fucked your back up too, but im perfectly fine now and I partake in weight training 3 times a week also, so just check your form is my main piece of advice.

 

[addictivepersona]

It's a bit of friendly banter, in relation to the topic. Lighten up.

Absolutely. Sometimes it feels like some over-zealous mods do not allow any wee jokes or wisecracks on this forum!

Uh, in my defense, that post was made nearly five months ago and I know I was having a bad day/time at that point.

Don't worry though--I won't be interfering with any more dick-sizing contests that may arise. :)

 

[Rated E]

haha, I didn't notice the date.