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The idea of willingly immersing oneself in freezing cold water doesnt sound particularly enticing.
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But as it turns out, the benefits of a simple cold shower are many.
What is cold therapy?
Cold therapy is the practice of immersing oneself in cold water.
Its origins can betraced back to ancient Greece, and it was used primarily for relaxation and socialization purposes.
Are cold showers good for you?
The short answer to this is yes, cold showers can be good for you.
This may promote healthier brain development and improve mental health.
More studies need to be done, however, to suggest that cold water can cure depression.
This, she says, can help reduce inflammation and ward off infections.
Its also all a mental game.
Cold showers are shown to possibly helpimprove our metabolism.
She points tostudiesdone with mice that show a strong correlation between cold exposure and weight loss.
increase our brown fat) to increase our metabolism and break down blood glucose and fat molecules.
Speaking of improving your metabolism, that also helps increase your insulin sensitivity.
But while this all may be plausible, she says more studies need to be done.
Cold showers can help in many aspects of your general health.
Think of it as a mini shock to your system, she says.
It helps you get out of your head.
What is the best way to take a cold shower?
Slow and steady is the way to go when taking a cold shower.
Take deep breaths and move under the shower to distribute the water evenly across your body, she says.
She adds that cold therapy scientists recommend taking cold showers in the afternoon or evenings for best results.
How long should you take a cold shower for?
Start with just a few seconds of exposure to cold water.
Plus, too hot of a shower can dry out your skin and hair.
Aim for a warm shower with warm water to reach a happy medium.
What are the downsides of cold showers?
There are a few negative side effects to take note of when taking a cold shower.
She also says those with respiratory conditions like asthma should exercise caution when putting themselves through extremely cold conditions.
