When you think of a nice, relaxing shower, how do you imagine it? Probably nice and warm, with relaxing steam and aromatherapy body wash, right? You probably imagine it being ANYTHING but freezing cold. Frigid showers sound like they’d be anything but pleasant, however studies have shown that there are some surprising benefits to turning the heat down every once and a while.
James Bond fans will remember that Bond’s infamous shower routine concludes with him turning his warm shower cold for the last 15-20 seconds, something which is affectionately known as a “Scottish shower”. It might sound crazy, but if James Bond does it, how crazy could it be?
Here are five reasons you shouldn’t be afraid to shiver in the shower every once and a while.
1. Burning Fat
There are two kinds of fat in your body: white fat and brown fat. White fat is the body fat we all know and struggle to get rid of; the kind we acquire from eating excess calories, which tends to accumulate at your waist, lower back, neck, and thighs. Brown fat is the good guy you might have never even heard of, and its function is to generate heat to keep your body warm.
Well, brown fat is activated when your body is cold. It helps your body go into survival mode when you’re chilly and burn calories to keep you warm. Scandinavian researchers found that exposure to cold temperatures increased the metabolic rate of brown fat by fifteen fold, which could help a person drop nine pounds in a year if sustained.
2. Recover After Exercise
3. Increase Your Mood and Alertness
When cold water pours over your body, your breathing deepens in response to the shock of the cold (to keep you warm by increasing your oxygen intake).Your heart rate will also increase, resulting in a rush of blood through your body that will help you get energized for the day.
4. Strengthen Immunity and Circulation
5. Healthy Hair and Skin
Cold water also closes your hair cuticles, making it less likely dirt can accumulate in your scalp. This means chilly showers will leave your hair cleaner, shinier, glossier, and overall more lovely.
What do you think of these arguments for the occasional cold shower? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.