We all love the feeling of a nice hot shower, but did you know there are a ton of benefits associated with showering in cold water? These include improved circulation, an immune system boost, and even reduced symptoms of depression! If you’re interested in incorporating cold showers into your self-care routine, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explain how to comfortably take a cold shower as a form of cold therapy. We’ll also cover the benefits of cold showers and go over a few health risks and considerations to keep in mind before trying them out. Keep reading for everything you need to know!
Best Way to Take a Cold Shower
To experience the health benefits of a cold shower, the water should be below 60° F (15° C). Start with 30-second cold showers to get your body used to them, then add 10 extra seconds each day to work your way up to longer sessions. Eventually, you should be able to take a cold shower comfortably for several minutes.
Steps
How to Take a Cold Shower
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Keep the shower water at about 60° Fahrenheit (15° celsius). This is the ideal temperature to experience the health benefits of cold showers, which include increased circulation, boosted metabolism, improved immune system, and relief from depression symptoms. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- To put this in perspective, a typical shower is between 98° F (37° C) and 105° F (40° C), so a 60° F shower will definitely take some getting used to.
- If you’re having a hard time sticking out the colder temperature at first, don’t worry! We’ll go over tips to help you take a cold shower like a pro below.
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Start out slow with very short cold showers. You don’t need to take a super long cold shower to experience therapeutic benefits. In fact, standing under the cold water for just 30 seconds can have the desired effects. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source When it comes to cold showers, a little bit goes a long way!
- Plus, if you do this on a regular basis, you’ll likely get more accustomed to the feeling, and it will get easier over time.
- When you get used to 30-second cold showers, try adding 10 extra seconds over the next several days, eventually working your way up to 3-6 minute sessions. [3] X Research source
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Try alternating between cold and hot water. If you’re having a hard time taking a shower in consistently cold water, try alternating between hot and cold temperatures. This provides you some relief from the cold water, and it mimics the experience of a “contrast bath,” which many athletes use to recover after heavy training sessions. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Typical contrast bathing involves sitting in a tub of cold water for 1 minute, then a tub of hot water for 1-2 minutes, then repeating this process several times. [5] X Research source
- To adapt this for your shower, start by standing underneath the cold water for 1 minute, then turn on the hot water for about 2 minutes. Repeat a few more times, making sure to end with the cold water.
- Alternating between hot and cold temperatures increases blood flow and oxygenation, which is thought to promote healing and reduce swelling if you have an injury, or if you’ve just done an intense workout. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Shower in hot water, then finish off with cold water. If you just don’t want to let go of your hot showers, don’t worry—you don’t have to! Start by showering under hot water as you normally would. While you scrub your body and wash your hair, keep the temperature warm and toasty. Then, when you’re all done, turn the shower handle until the water is ice cold, and stand under it for the last few seconds of your shower. [7] X Research source
- Try starting out with 30 seconds of cold water, then gradually increase the duration over the next several days.
- Your body will adapt over time, and eventually you’ll be able to finish your showers strong with 2-5 minutes of cold water. [8] X Research source
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Go all-in and try a full-length cold shower. Enduring a cold shower can be a mental game, and for some people, the best course of action is to jump in. If you’re this kind of person, try doing your normal shower routine from start to finish under cold water. This is definitely the most jarring and hardcore option, but after a minute or two under the cold water, your body should adjust to the temperature and become more comfortable! [9] X Research source
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs taking cold showers healthier than taking warm ones?Community AnswerCold showers close the pores of your skin and help give you clearer skin, but you can still take a warm shower. If you take a five minute-shower, turning the water to cold for the last minute or two will help your skin.
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QuestionI have taken a cold shower and find myself shivering. How do I warm up?COOkie_000Community AnswerJust take your towel and wrap it around yourself. Wait in your towel a few minutes. Get ready to be hit by the cold air outside your bathroom. For extra insurance, turn off AC/fans so you don't get too cold.
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QuestionWill taking cold showers help my face look attractive?COOkie_000Community AnswerThat depends on your skin type. If your skin gets dry really quickly, then no. But mostly yes, most people prefer cold showers over hot ones.
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Tips
- At first you'll probably rush through your shower; this is okay! Eventually, after taking a few cold showers, the water temperature will not bother you as much and it will even start to feel warmer.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
- If you're taking a long shower, try sitting down for a period of time. I find it much easier to adjust to the cold when I'm sitting on the ground.
Warnings
- Avoid taking cold showers if you have been diagnosed with heart disease, arrhythmia, cold urticaria, or Raynaud’s disease.Thanks
- If you have any other serious medical diagnoses, consult with your doctor before trying cold showers.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-cold-showers-good-for-you
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-cold-showers-good-for-you
- ↑ https://time.com/5712904/adjust-to-cold-weather/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6188085
- ↑ https://hpc.osu.edu/contrast-bath
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6188085
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/cold-shower-benefits
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/cold-shower-benefits
- ↑ https://www.active.com/triathlon/articles/acclimating-your-body-to-cold-water-882380
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-cold-showers-good-for-you
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4049052/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9518606/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9518606/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5025014/
- ↑ https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/02/26/does-taking-cold-showers-benefit-your-health
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8652002/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17993252/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356013
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-cold-showers-good-for-you
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-urticaria/symptoms-causes/syc-20371046
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20363571
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/creativity-without-borders/201308/the-power-shower
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741536/
- ↑ https://www.cmhcm.org/provider/centrain/Training_Units/Personal_Care_Hygiene_Grooming.pdf
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/flourish/200912/seeing-is-believing-the-power-visualization
About This Article
If you want to take a cold shower, start by washing your hands and feet under the running water to help your body adjust to the cold temperature. Then, take some water and splash it on your head, torso, arms, and legs to prepare the rest of your body. When you feel ready, bend at the waist and stick your head under the water until it’s wet enough to apply shampoo. Rinse out the shampoo as quickly as possible. Finally, quickly wash and rinse your torso, arms, and legs. Just make sure you have a towel within reach of the shower so you can warm up as quickly as possible afterwards! For more advice, like how you can learn to love cold showers, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "This helped me because I take a cold shower every day, it makes me fresh."