Cold showers?

The biggest benefit of cold showers is the psychological one, at least for me. You want the water to be cold enough so that stepping into it as a scary, uncomfortable experience.

I just turn it all the way on and cold after getting in the shower, then I count to 60 slowly and try my best to relax and even meditate. After that I just go with a normal hot shower.

 

I've been doing this for a few weeks. Just use cold water. NO hot water.

I know, that seems insane. But that's the point. "This is uncomfortable, but it won't kill me. This is uncomfortable, but it won't even hurt me. This is uncomfortable, but I'm going to be fine. This is uncomfortable, but I'm doing it anyway."

Tips:

• Get soaked everywhere ASAP. Kills the "shock factor".
• Breathe deeply and steadily. CONTROL your breath.

 

Cold showers are a blast! They make me feel exhilarated! They make it easier to breathe fuller and deeper breaths, they tone your skin, and according to science, they also help you lose weight. And yes, they do wonders for your hair too.

I had one just then in place of my regular hot shower. Now I'm hooked... there's no going back!

 

Quite the opposite, should give your immune system a boost. I work in an office full of people coughing and sneezing all day, all really suffering with colds, and I'm the only healthy one… Have a look round the forum there's a couple of different posts about this, and a great "Art of Manliness" vid about the benefits of cold showers.

But if you've already got a heavy cold, chest infection, flu, or any kind of fever – lay off the cold showers until you're recovered.

PS. I'm not a doctor, and just talking from "common sense" and what's worked for me. But remember I'm "just some bloke off the internet" so do you're own research, make your own mind up.

 

I'd been giving myself a "cold" minute or so at the end of my normal hot shower each morning. For some reason to do with our water system - I think the water still passes through the boiler perhaps - this wasn't really freezing cold.

We just got back from a holiday and our boiler had broken down. So yesterday I went for a full-on proper cold shower - crikey! Very invigorating though.

Now we've had our boiler fixed I'll have to go back to the lesser version, which still gives me an energy boost.

Like @rawrguy56 I've found it's good for my hair to wash it in cold water. I also suffer from eczema - very mild - and hot water is bad for that; in fact I think it's bad for most skin conditions. One of the symptoms of anxiety is raised body temperature, and a therapist once advised me against hot baths for that reason too.

I very much like the idea of the introduction of discomfort and - as @Addictionhelpseeker says - this has been the big thing for me.

There's a decently scientific article about some other benefits here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...showers-are-good-for-you-official-738026.html

I know the vast majority of us will be fine, but I have heard that there are potential dangers for some people who have heart conditions (as mentioned in the article above), so do be careful and check things out.

It has been a great thing for me, even in my wussy luke-warm version, and I'm saving money on my gas bill too!

 

Nice link Don, hadn't seen that. Hope your boiler stays working, nothing worse than enforced cold showers

 

I'm learning to be as tough as a Highlander, Jock. I'm off out with my kilt on later!

 

Good to hear! Oh and no, don't worry about a cold, you'll be good. Studies have found actually that cold showers suppress the cortisol response in favor of an adrenaline response, which actually improves your immune system! Look up a guy called "Wim Hof", aka the Iceman. Dude's incredible and an authority on the naked body in freezing temperatures.

Actually hang on... let me find that neat video for you...

 

Hey Everybody,
This interested me and I was looking for a cold shower thread to post this in because I just knew there was one on this site. I am new here but here goes:
I take a tip from James Bond and start my day with a cold shower, what I call a Wake-Up Shower.

The blast of cold can be a shock at first, but after a while it feels completely natural. I’m so accustomed to the jolt of energy and mental clarity now, that I crave the cold finish.

Don’t think a cold shower is for you? Not only do cold showers boost testosterone, a critical sex hormone, but the complete benefits of a cold shower also read like a miracle cure. (Keep in mind that I’m not a doctor. Please check with a professional for specific need medical advice.) To help you overcome your resistance, here’s a brief list of eight ways a cold shower can help you feel great.

1. Fight Colds And Sickness: Cold showers stress the body causing it to upregulate our systems in a healthy way. Research shows enhanced long-term antioxidative adaptation, an increase in the number and activity of peripheral cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Since the 1800’s cold showers and baths were prescribed to help fight sickness. Even the Greeks, with their hot baths, maintained cold pools for their healing benefit. Exposure to cold water will eventually trigger hypothermia, though. Keep it to less than 10 minutes to avoid the risk and maximize the reward.
   
   
2. Improve Circulation: Your blood flows into your internal organs while you sleep to support repair and regeneration. Start with a warm shower to warm up your muscles. Then switch the dial to full-on cold for a blast of nature’s own wake-up remedy. Capillaries on the surface of your skin will dilate, becoming large and pulling blood from your core to your extremities to warm them up. When you’ve had enough, turn the dial back to warm. Take a moment to stop shouting and regain your composure. Then switch back to cold for what is called a “contrast bath.” Fans of this method claim it keeps them looking younger and feeling healthier. Just remember to end on cold!
   
   
3. Burn Fat: Not only does taking cold showers stimulate overall metabolic rate while you burn calories to get warm, but it can boost blood glucose which in turn suppresses appetite. While the cold water washes down your shoulders, your body will start producing more brown fat cells, fat cells specialized to burn glucose stored in your white fat cells. Not only that, brown fat cells have been shown to protect from aging, fight obesity, fight diabetes, and help fight heart disease. Still not convinced? Pick up a copy of "___" and read the chapter on NASA scientist Ray Cronise who lost 30 pounds — of fat, not weight — in just six weeks through a regimen of drinking cold water, cold walks, and cold swims.
   
   
4. Live Longer: The mild stress caused by the cold shower encourages thermogenesis, the process of heat production in warm-blooded animals. About two or three minutes after the the initial shock, you’ll feel the process kick in as your inner fire begins to cook. Thermogenesis is a powerful response known to increase immunity, reduce pain, reduce stress, fight depression, boost anti-tumor responses and fight chronic fatigue syndrome. Over time, regular use of cold showers can lower core body temperature which some people believe can extend expected lifespan in humans by decades.
   
   
5. Feel Happier: If you’re feeling depressed you might have trouble summoning the energy to jump into a cold shower. On the other hand, it couldn’t get worse, and a recent study has shown cold showers may help fight and even prevent depression. Cold showers stimulate your brain’s “blue spot,” which in turns releases noradrenaline, a chemical believed to alleviate depression.
   
   
6. Look More Youthful: While hot water is known to dry out skin and hair, cold water contracts cuticles and pores. This keeps them from getting clogged, preventing acne and blemishes. Plus it contributes to detoxification by squeezing toxins and waste from the skin. By closing cuticles, you are also keeping hair roots strong which slows hair loss. The result is vibrant, fresh, youthful looking skin.
   
   
7. Have Better Sex: Contrary to conventional wisdom, if you or your honey is having trouble rising to the occasion, a cold shower can actually help. Low levels of testosterone can result in problems achieving and sustaining an erection. Low testosterone can also play a role in low sex-drive in women. The good news is that a cold shower is a natural way to boost this critical hormone. Not only does it help in the bedroom, but the cold showers also help testes regulate optimum temperature, increasing sperm motility and overall virility.
   
   
8. Fight Fear, Build Courage: How much energy do you spend trying to surround yourself with personal comforts? By intentionally exposing yourself to discomfort you disarm anxiety and fear. Every time you turn the shower dial to cold, you are flexing your courage muscles, building confidence in your ability to confront uncomfortable situations. As you become more comfortable in the cold shower, you become more comfortable facing adversity with courage.
   

How To Get Started With Wake-Up Showers
Are you ready to give it a try? The benefits are well worth the initial surprise!

1. Warm. Start your shower with warm water.
   
   
2. Wash. Wash your body, hair, and rinse.
   
   
3. Hot. Gradually increase the heat until you feel like you’re melting.
   
   
4. Cold. Then, take a slow, deep breath and turn the dial to 100% cold.
   
   
5. Relax. Try to stay relaxed, breathing calmly while you rinse your head, armpits, chest, back and groin.
   
   
6. Enjoy. Spend at least 10 seconds the first time. The goal is to eventually spend from one to three minutes in the cold.
   
   
7. Bonus: Try a contrast bath by alternating hot and cold. Just remember to end on cold!
   

Wake-up showers are great because they are so easy to do. Start small. Just pick one day this week–tomorrow perhaps–to try it. Next week, pick two days. Every week, add another day. Within a couple months you’ll be feeling healthier and more energized than ever.

After you’ve given it a try, let me know how it worked.

 

I heard cold shower will spike cortisol. Is this true. Cuz ive read other thread saying the opposite

 

So I'm about to take a cold shower. Feeling pretty good with my reboot, but last night I just couldn't sleep and had to get up extra early. So today, I was reading the news and there was an article about a pornographic actress. I read it and it started getting the wheels in my mind spinning. On the article, there's a link to an article of some terrible reality show with very sexual overtones. So, I end up watching a few sample clips. I found myself noticing the attractiveness of some of the contestants, etc.
Stopped myself and said "okay, Poolie. Time to login to the nofap.com forum before you do something stupid and/or foolish." Okay guys, hopping into the shower and try to "watch" my thoughts. Don't want to relapse.