“Health of office workers who take cold showers every morning”… 5 benefits of cold water baths

Even though it’s a hot summer, you hesitate to take a cold shower. Even if you’re sweating profusely, pouring cold water on yourself can make you feel momentarily uncomfortable.

Experts say that “water that is too cold can weaken the skin barrier, causing the skin to turn red, and some people may even develop hives when exposed to temperatures that are too cold.”

However, at the temperature of tap water, you can enjoy various health benefits other than cooling your body. Experts explain, “Soaking or showering in cold water is considered one of the cold therapies and is often used to relieve pain, especially for athletes.”

There is no official medical recommendation for the best temperature for a cold shower, but experts generally recommend aiming for a temperature between 10 and 21 degrees Celsius. In general, it is best to avoid extreme temperatures, and ice-cold water in particular.

It should also be noted that taking cold showers for too long can be detrimental to your health. In this regard, the benefits of cold showers have been summarized based on data from the American health and medical media outlet ‘Prevention’.

Boosts immunity=Cold showers have been shown to help boost immunity. A study found that people who took 30-second cold showers a day for at least 30 consecutive days were 29% less likely to take sick days from work than those who took regular showers. This suggests that cold showers can potentially reduce the risk of illness.

Increases alertness=Starting your day with a cold shower can actually help you wake up and feel more energized. Experts say that “cold showers increase alertness by increasing epinephrine as part of the body’s short-term changes to cope with cold temperatures.” Studies have shown that people who took a five-minute dip in cold water reported feeling more alert and more active afterwards.

Soothes the skin=Cold water can also have a soothing effect on the skin. In particular, it can reduce redness and swelling by constricting blood vessels. In other words, it is useful for redness such as rosacea and inflammation such as eczema and psoriasis.

As it reduces swelling and inflammation, it can also help improve dry, itchy skin. Experts say that “cold showers can relieve itching associated with certain skin conditions, such as allergic dermatitis, hives, sunburn, and eczema.” Cold water also dries the skin less than hot water and is less likely to strip away natural oils.

Reduces inflammation and pain=In addition to helping soothe inflamed or irritated skin, washing with cold water has been shown to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain throughout the body. Experts explain, “It is thought that the cold temperature reduces inflammation and numbs the pain receptors in the skin.”

That’s why ice is recommended for injuries, and why athletes spray cooling sprays or take ice baths after exercise. Studies have shown that this type of cold therapy is effective in reducing inflammation and pain caused by exercise.

Improves blood circulation=Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, which can help improve blood circulation in the body. When blood vessels on the surface of the skin are exposed to cold water, they can constrict and divert blood to deeper tissues in the skin. This can help improve blood flow.