Taking a cold shower might sound more like a last resort than a health hack, but the simple ritual can actually provide a ton of benefits for body and mind.

According to our friends at Food Matters, rinsing in cold water for the last 30 seconds of your shower boosts the metabolism and “supports the body’s innate healing power by activating the immune, lymphatic, circulatory, and digestive systems.”

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of cold showers and a list of benefits to help convince yourself to try…

7 Health Benefits of Cold Showers

It’s Better Than Caffeine. The temperature shock you feel from a cold shower or coldwater immersion gives a shock to the body that increases your heart rate, which in turn releases and stimulates the rush of blood throughout the body and oxygenates your cells which increases your alertness. This is great news for those that struggle to kick themselves into gear in the morning.

Reduce Stress + Feel Happier. Seems strange that forcing yourself to take a freezing shower can actually help you chill out and feel happier, but studies have shown that participants that did cold exposure daily experienced a boost in their mood. Researchers believe that these positive effects may be tied to cold exposure initiating the endocrine response and increasing levels of the endorphins and serotonin.

Beat Your Cold with Cold. Making cold exposure part of your regular daily healthy habits could help to boost your immune system’s response in fighting off disease. It has been found that cold exposure can help to activate the white immune cells in your body, these are the ‘disease-fighting’ cells.

Improves Lymphatic System. It also upregulates your lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels that support the body to cleanse itself of waste, bacteria, and microbes. Coldwater therapy causes these vessels to contract and pump the lymph fluid around the body, thereby removing accumulated waste.

Increases Metabolism. It increases what is known as “brown fat”, this is a metabolically active type of fat that actually uses energy rather than storing it! Brown fat, unlike white fat, has been linked to increased metabolism and lower risk of obesity.

Reduces Pain + Improves Recovery. One of the more well-known health benefits of cold exposure as it’s used by many athletes for reducing pain and improving recovery. It’s believed that the cold reduces muscle fatigue and soreness, and is often used to alleviate inflammation and musculoskeletal pain for conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Improves Your Brain Power. With the boost of endorphins and serotonin, it may not surprise you that this also improves your brain power and cognitive function.

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.