The Benefits of Taking a Cold Shower

Photo by Angelina and Antonis on Unsplash

Back in the late 2010s so round 2018ish I did a cold shower challenge where I took a cold shower every day for about a month. That conditioning stuck with me and while I don't take them at the same rate, recently I've been on a cold shower kick. So, why not reprise all of the health benefits associated with this practice.

What’s so fascinating about a cold shower is that it has a multitude of benefits. One google search and you’ll come up with several lists and articles elucidating on the miracle that is a cold shower or cold plunge. Before I start listing out the benefits, I'll share my experience with cold showers. For starters they keep you cool. To be fair to myself, when I did that cold shower challenge it was mid fall early winter, so it was cold already. Now, as of the writing of this article, it’s hot in Texas.

I say that to say that while I am reaping the benefits of being in a hot state and taking a cold shower from the perspective of being able to cool down, a cold shower also objectively speaking cools down your body. If you put something cold on something hot it can cool it down and in the case of your body, reduce some of the side effects associated with being in heat. One of the main benefits from that perspective is reducing swelling and helping to alleviate pain.