How cold should a cold shower be?

Hey man, maybe I shouldn't speak up since I've only done it about a week, but I will anyway OK, I live in the west, where the high's have been in the 20/30's the last month (it was -20F a month ago). Granted, our house is at 70F, but I don't know if the pipes are that warm. I agree that when I take a warm shower I perceive that I am cleaner than after a cold shower, but I feel so much more ALIVE after a cold shower!

I first tried cold showers a few months ago, like getting in when it's warm and turning it cold for a minute at the end, but that just doesn't work. You mind fights with you so much as to how painful to turn the dial. You go all out or not at all in my opinion. When I started a week ago, I allowed myself to have both hot/cold for the first few days, but then I took a 5 minute one all-the-way cold. It is a test of mental resolve. If you can say no to hot water it is much easier to say no to PMO.

Anyway, just know that the gasping and shivering is really good for your health. The shivering burns fat and circulates blood, and the gasping gives your mind and body an extra dose of oxygen. And when you get out, wow, you feel like you can run a marathon.

Oh, as for warming up after the shower, I generally don't have a problem warming up. If I was about to go outside for an extended period of time I guess it could be dangerous. Well that's been my experience. Good luck man!

 

A few things I forgot to mention...

When you get in the shower, make your head wet first, very important. Also, it really does get way easier after you do it a few days. I read this online and was very skeptical, but it's true, I don't know why.

 

Oh those cold showers!
When I ran track in school we took cold showers, not for the reasons of today, but for the invigoration it would give us. We could run farther and faster after that. It also built up stamina for the times we ran in not so ideal conditions such as extremely hot or cold and when it was raining. Made running in the rain almost fun. Other teams thought we were nuts (probably were!) while we were laughing and being silly running in the rain when they were grumpy and complaining!

I miss those days ;(

I'm sure it was never as cold here in Utah compared to Wyoming. Guess that's why cowboys are so tough!

Good luck and wish you the best success as you start this awesome journey you are beginning.

I'm here for you and a good shoulder to lean on.

 

Im not sure how healthy is to be wet and cold. I can tell that i spend allot of time in cold during military service and at work that i have consequences such as hemorrhoids and pain in bones specially during winter and im only 29

 

start with cold
then make it warm to wash yourself
then cold again

 

I go all the way, don't touch the hot water valve except when washing my hair.

 

There are differences in the "coldness" of the water from region to region. Also, in the same region, there are differences from summer to winter. Don't concern yourself with those differences and just turn the tap to its furthest position.

I would suggest for everybody starting cold showers to stay in the shower for a couple of minutes, while also washing the head and face, and wait for the moment when the hyperventilation stopped and your body is not tense anymore. Once you can relax under cold water you will have found your new strength. Just wait for that moment, and please report back.

One advice. Putting cold water in your mouth helps to deal with the sensation of cold.

 

This is all good stuff.
Thanks to everyone helping us all to better ourselves.
One warning. I was told in an EMT class is be very careful not to squirt very cold water INTO you ears. It can cause you to loose equilibrium and you don't want to be found unconscious and naked in the shower...or do you?
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

I shower regular for cleaning but use cold showers when I am all ready in the wrong frame of mind and need to get out of the zone. I make it all cold and makes the want to flap really disappear.

 

Makes a lot of sense.

I hate it when the wrong frame of mind takes over. I feel so out of control. Like an out of body experience where "you know who" is running the show.

Congrats on 151 days! That is amazing and I hope to cross over that mark!

As you were...