Although many people run from cold showers, it brings several benefits such as relieving muscle pain and combating depression.
Taking a cold shower may not be that pleasant for some people, but the truth is that it can be very beneficial for the body and mind. By waking up early and taking a cold shower, you can improve your mood for the day, improve muscle pain, as well as stimulate metabolism and combat depression.
If you are not used to it and hate taking cold showers, it is recommended that you start with warm water and gradually introduce some parts of your body, until you get used to the temperature. However, for those who can’t do it this way, the best thing is to go in at once and suffer the chills all at once! This way, you wake up your body even more and refresh yourself with a nice bath.
But best of all are the benefits of taking a cold shower. We have separated nine benefits for the body and mind that an ice-cold bath can provide. Check out!
Health benefits of cold baths
1. Helps with blood circulation
When bathing in cold water, the impact on the arms and legs causes blood vessels to contract, which causes blood to go to the central organs in an attempt to balance body temperature. In this way, the act is beneficial for blood circulation, because this movement stimulates the process.
2. Increases mood
When the body has increased blood circulation, the demand for oxygen in the body also increases. As a result, fatigue can be reduced and, in this way, you gain even more energy to carry on with the day.
3. Cold bath prevents cardiovascular diseases
By improving blood circulation, bathing in cold water can help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the electrical impulses sent to the brain during the bath stimulate the production of norepinephrine, a substance capable of regulating blood pressure. However, it is worth noting that this does not replace any treatment or medication, and when in doubt, always consult your doctor.
However, if the person has a family history of heart disease or suffers from any condition, it is important to see a cardiologist regularly and undergo treatment as directed, as an ice-cold bath does not replace the treatment recommended by the doctor.
4. Helps with depression
According to some studies, cold baths can help treat depression. One of the factors raised in research is that cold water, when coming into contact with the skin, activates cold receptors in the nervous system, sending signals to the brain, which results in an increase in endorphins in the blood, a hormone responsible for feeling of well-being. Therefore, this sensation alleviates the effects of depression.
However, people with depression should pay attention to the treatment recommended by specialists, as the cold bath is just one initiative that can help with a treatment already in progress.
5. Cold bath improves muscle pain
Taking a cold shower after physical activity promotes an anesthetic effect on pain points on the body. Therefore, athletes often use this resource, including going into ice baths, to reduce pain caused by physical exertion. What happens in this process is that the cold bath helps to cause blood vessels to contract, which reduces muscle pain. In addition, it also accelerates the conduction of signals in the nervous system, which dampens pain signals sent to the brain.
However, inflammatory pain should not receive cold water, but hot baths, as these promote muscle relaxation.
6. Cold bath speeds up metabolism and helps you lose weight
Taking cold baths can help with a slight boost to lose weight. What happens is that, while you bathe in cold water, the production of a hormone called irisin is increased, whose substance favors the conversion of white adipose tissue (fat) into brown. As a result, this process favors an increase in thermogenesis and caloric expenditure. In other words, your body is encouraged to lose weight naturally, accelerating metabolism, which can influence the reduction of fat in the liver.
7. Improves immunity
By taking a cold shower, you may be helping to improve your body’s immunity. This happens because the impact of cold water hitting the skin stimulates the production of our body’s defense cells, called leukocytes. Therefore, taking a cold shower helps your body become stronger and fight viruses, colds and other illnesses.
However, taking a cold shower and going directly into a very hot environment, or vice versa, can have the opposite effect and affect immunity, as the temperature shock is harmful to the body.
8. It’s good for your skin and hair
If what you want is your skin and hair with more natural shine, a cold shower can help you with that. Taking a cold shower prevents you from losing your skin’s natural oils, helps close your pores, and reduces the itching sensation if you have dermatitis or an allergy. As for the hair, cold water helps close the cuticles, making the hair even more beautiful and reducing the incidence of dandruff.
9. Helps sleep
When you go to sleep, your body temperature being lower can beneficially interfere with your sleep. Therefore, taking a hot shower before going to bed may make your sleep go away. In other words, it is better to take a cold water bath when you go to sleep, as at the same time as it leaves your body at a good temperature for sleeping, it relaxes you and makes you more comfortable to sleep.
Sources: Uol, Tua Saúde, A Gazeta.
Imagens: Stock, Stock, Stock, Stock, Stock, Stock.
