21 Health Benefits of a Cold Shower

April 13, 2010Uncategorizedcancer, depression, immune system, metabolism

Alexa Fleckenstein, M.D., author of Health2O, has a few things to say about cold showers.
Within the book, she writes:
Cold water can do more than just wash away sweat, dirt, old skin cells, bacteria, and viruses:
What a Cold Shower Can Do For You
Enhance immunity against infections and cancer
Give your glands (thyroid, adrenals, ovaries/testes) a boost, improving hormonal activity
Jump-start your mood and motivation
Crank up your metabolism to fight type 2 diabetes, obesity, gout, rheumatic diseases,
depression, and more
Normalize your blood pressure
Decrease chronic pain
Train and improve your blood circulation
Detoxify your body
Fight fatigue
Strengthen exhausted, irritable nerves
Rejuvenate, heal, and tone the skin
Deepen your breathing
Help with insomnia
Improve kidney function
Reduce swelling and edema
Improve lymphatic circulation, thereby increasing immune function
Reduce stress by regulating your autonomic nervous system
Regulate temperature, fighting chronically cold hands and cold feet and excessive sweating
Keep your hair healthy
Improve hemorrhoids and varicose veins
Reduce aches and pains
Just thought youd like to know. :)

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77 thoughts on 21 Health Benefits of a Cold Shower
Jerry May 31, 2012 at 1:40 am
Im already a pretty awake guy from day to day but not always in the morning when I wake
up. I should try this in the morning.
Jerry June 5, 2012 at 3:11 am
OK, just an update. Since my last post I have been taking 2 cold showers a day. The most
painful part is the very beginning, its like jumping into a cold lake or pool. But eventually I
get used to it and it isnt so bad, you just have to keep in mind that you are going to shiver
which is a good thing because that gets your metabolism going and your blood pumping. Its
like a early morning exercise to wake you up. I used to take abnormally hot showers and

didnt realize it until I thought about it recently when I found out about this cold shower thing.
And the result was bad, dry, flaky skin. But after just about one week of taking cold showers
twice a day not only do I feel a lot better, but my skin looks way better. It is now even and
toned, and much smoother looking. I have way more energy and it seems my ability to focus
has gone up. I think that is because I feel great now for many reasons. I highly recommend
this. Plus I heard that they put stuff like Fluoride and/or chlorine in the water which I would
think goes into your body through your open pours and mouth because of steam created from
the heat, that cant be good for your health. But with cold water your pores close and there is
no steam. Even though the initial shock is pretty hard to deal with pretty much every time I
feel really good after every shower. The whole purpose should be to get in, get clean, and get
your blood pumping(shiver.) It is the best thing I have done in my life as far as my looks go
and maybe even my overall health, because after all like I said I would take abnormally hot
showers. I can stand more heat than a lot of people. Just letting you all know that it truly does
work and I highly recommend it. = )
adam smith June 15, 2012 at 2:43 am
Umm, I couldnt pay my gas bill. I havent had hot water in about two months now. It takes
some getting used to. At first, I went to the gym, or over a friends house to use the shower, or
even did the bird bath thing. Im past all that. I just hop in and turn it on right on me. Trying to
inch in is a huge mistake, it just makes it harder. One thing I have been able to do is use the
electric grill to heat enough water to take a cold bath thats not so ice cold I go into shock. It
takes me about three hours to go this route since I have to heat up 5 gallons of water in a pot
using one little heating coil.
I have to say that even when I do pay the bill this month Ill probably start doing this before I
turn it hot, or maybe some days just do cold showers. It is invigorating.
Eirini Gkini June 15, 2012 at 8:33 am
I tried cold(just cold) showers every morning before goint to work in the winter of 2000, it
was the healthiest winter of my life! Not even a runny nose! I love the warmth you feel when
you are done. I deeply regret stopping. I started again now, but since I havent done it in years,
I started with lukewarm water in the begining, and finish it off with cold. Will keep taking
those morning showers every day for the rest of my life. Best way to wake up in the morning.
Anna August 22, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I just did it ! it was great ! Am happy i could do it :) i started gradually by getting one leg wet ,
then the other leg , then one arm and the other arm . then my whole body except for my
shoulders which i couldnt put cold water on ! thats a pity . but am going to do it tomorrow .
am going to do this every day . it feels great when u finish :) my skin turned red which means
too much blood was flooded into my veins under my skin .
Thomas September 11, 2012 at 9:51 pm
I soak 10-20 minutes sometimes twice a day in 53 deg. F tub. Its a 100 gal. horse watering
tub I bought at Cal Ranch Store. I put my iPad 2 on a chair with my timer and music playlist
on easylistening and go totally naked. The first 2 minutes it is very cold, but I dont breathe
hard I try to control it. Im submerged up to my nose. At 5 minutes I start pouring water over
my head and repeatedly over my face with eyes closed. The tub is in my garage next to the
door and when Im finished later in the day I drain it and just before I use it I fill it. Ive done
this for 4 months now and it is great. Often I go for a walk run directly after to get my blood
going and to warm up. I dont shiver any more, and feel very relaxed. I was electrocuted in
the head when doing some electrical work and felt buzzed all the time, but now I feel 100%

better and alive in every way. This is something I will do for ever. People who dont like cold
realize you adapt. Its well worth it. Try it.
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Inderjit Gill May 26, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Cold Shower Benefits
In year 1997, I was thirty five years old and living in Australia. Suddenly I start feeling pain
in my both knees. I visited a local general practitioner for its treatment. General practitioner
checked my symptoms and gave me some medications; few tablets, capsules to take three
times a day and one joint pain relief cream. As I started taking medication and rubbing cream
on my knees I didnt feel any relief and the pain was increasing day by day. The general
practitioner, changed my medication and changed joint pain relief cream too; but I didnt feel
any relief and the pain was increasing day to day. I was even, unable to walk and GP refereed
me to a specialist. The specialist performed many tests, gave me many tablets, capsules &
joint pain creams but my symptoms were not improving and I was unable to walk & stopped
to go to work. I was under too much worry and my treating doctors too because I was not old
person & was young man. One day a specialist was discussing with me very deeply and asked
me a question whether any moment; I feel a little bit relief, any time? I replied yes that once it
happened a few weeks before when I was able to walk and I went to a beach with my friends.
I was resting on my bed and was thinking about this question that really I felt some relief on
that day, when I spent some time in the water on the beach on that day. I was puzzled that why
I felt pain relief on that day even I do shower every day in my bathroom and my pain is going
up every day. I was thinking again and again on this issue that what is the difference between
taking shower in the bathroom and on the beach? Both they are waters! Suddenly I thought
the difference is: the water is hot in the bathroom and the water is cold on the beach.
Could be; hot water is not making this trouble? From that I decided to take shower in cold
water instead hot water and within couple days my pains finished and I stop all medications
and started walking normally. After a month just for checking; I start using hot water again:
the pains came back again. From that day I never used hot water for shower and I never felt
pains in my life up to today. I wrote this article because: if anyone can try this formula and get
pain relief. I dont think anyone get relief using cold water instead hot water but if one
hindered persons try this formula and couple persons, getting relief then it would be great if
someone goes off medications and can save in gas bill too. For more information, please
contact me: inder7@live.com
With thanks
Inderjit S Gill
Jacksonskin July 30, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I have been taking cold showers for the past 2 weeks. I had been doing a remodel on my home
and was working with a lot of insulation. My friend told me to take a cold shower because it
will close your pores and the insulation will just run off of your body and you wont itch
afterwards. I did it and it worked. In fact I really quite enjoyed the cold shower once I got past
the initial shock. I felt so good after the shower and loved how good I felt so I went on a
research hunt to see what benefits a cold shower would give me. Wow! I love cold showers
and will never go back to warm showers. I love how warm I feel once I get out. My showers
are even getting longer as I am getting more used to taking cold showers. I would highly
recommend them. My skins feels a lot better, I have way more energy and I am sleeping more

restfully at night. I also used to hate jumping into cold lakes. Not any more. Cold showers are
such a blessing!
Jacksonskin July 30, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Also, I am 53 years old.
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flinch_1911 August 11, 2013 at 11:36 am
I like taking cold showers right before bed. It seems like when I get out, then get under those
warm covers, I sleep sooooo much better!
flinch_1911 August 11, 2013 at 11:40 am
Wet Shavers (straight razor/safety razors) have known this for a long time. The first thing
we do for our face after a straight razor shave is use as cold water as you can get, it closes
micro nicks/cuts. So it will do the same for the rest of you skin.
cladius September 12, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Do you all think it will be okay to start newly born baby with slightly cold water? I was raised
with cold water in Nigeria, W.Africa in the 80s.
Robin,clive Bracey December 18, 2013 at 11:04 am
Cold showers, I am 61 years old, have all, well a head of hair . Up to 56 or so it was thick, my
hair dresser says it is still thick for a person of my age !! reason most likely I never use hot or
warm water or mess with it. Skin soft and my hands and feet are soft, again I think this is due
to only using cold water including shaving. I run 7 miles most days and to make it interesting
I still wear light assault order or loaded ruc-sac . This all seems big headed, but doctors told
me some years ago you have back pain because you have stopped doing all the physical
stuff you done in the service, so start that again . So I did result 5 or 6 years pain free, no
pain killers ! I also noted on the internet a place called 21 reasons to take cold showers which
backed up what I had learnt from a Buddhist practice I carry out . So perhaps I am lucky in
health.. or maybe its the cold showers. ps I rarely feel cold and most days just have a
tea shirt on . If you do decide to start cold showers do look up how to start them and check
you health, not every one can just step into them first time, as they are not physically or
mentally prepared. Best of luck !
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Milan July 3, 2014 at 5:41 am
Hello and thank you for this article.
I am a 44 yo healthy male and I started doing cold showers every day three weeks ago with
great success and immediate well-being effects. I first do a regular lukewarm shower and then
turn to completely cold water. In my household, temperature of cold water is 18 C, so not
quite a swim in a frozen lake. I started with 1 minute of cold water in the end and extended by
minute every week.
Last week, however, I began noticing that the feeling of energy and well-being waned off and
did not appear anymore after cold showers. Instead, I began feeling down and drowsy
afterwards, with hands and feet feeling cold for hours. Also my intolerance of outside cold

seems to have increased. Although I have developed resistance to cold shower, it just doesnt
feel right anymore. What could be the reason for this sudden change? Thank you in advance
for your opinions.
admin July 27, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Sorry for the delayed reply. Im not a doctor but in Dr. Alexa Fleckensteins book, Health20,
she suggests that in order to get the benefits of cold water, it doesnt need to be super cold,
and it doesnt need to be a long exposure. I think she said even a 30 second blast at the end of
a regular shower will have benefits. I would just listen to your body and do what feels best.
Milan August 14, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Hello and thanks for your reply. Here is my update: the symptoms I had described were
merely a phase in habituation and have disappeared in the meantime. Moreover, after two
months I suddenly felt I wanted more (me wanting more challenge or my body wanting more
stimulation or both) and switched to fully cold showers, thus eliminating warm or hot water
completely. After two weeks of doing so, I can say that I would never go back to anything
warmer than fully cold. The only caution is to do it gradually, leg by leg and arm by arm, over
the course of 10 to 15 seconds.
Mike December 2, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Am I the only unlucky dude whose body has rejected the cold showers?
I began 6 months ago with full cold showers and gradually prolonged them to comfortable 3
minutes. Although I would always feel great and invigorated, I noticed that 30 minutes
afterwards chills and cold hands and feet wold set in and I would warm up only inthe
afternoon. Autumn came and I found myself very intolerant even of mild cold, so I decided to
start with warm water and end with usual 3 minutes of cold but that did not ward off the
uncomfortable cold sensations. Finally, on the first winter day I caught a heavy cold, so I had
to suspend cold showers completely. After 5 days of inly warm showers, my hands and feet
are warm again and I am not nervous out in the cold anymore. Chills are also gone.
I would like to continue with cold showers but at this point I dont know if they are really for
me. I am 44 yo healthy male 188cm / 80 kg, a bit thin constitution.
Do you have any advice for me?
Harshit Singhal March 29, 2015 at 10:46 pm
I have started taking cold shower in morning believe me guys I really feel very
refershing.
Gregory April 11, 2015 at 5:54 am
I have one question. I started taking cold showers 2 months ago. The effects, both physical
and especially mental, were extraordinary. I really love them. Full cold water, for about 2-3
minutes daily. Great energy, mood boost, sense of wellbeing afterwards, sometimes for the
whole day. One of the best things I discovered and practiced in a long time. However, after
these 2 months I developed pains in my lower back sides. Initially I thought it was some
kidney problems, however it turns out its not. Might be some rheumatic pain, or I dont
know. Thing is, everybody is telling me to stop the cold showers as they are not good and they
probably are the source of the pain. Even the general practicioner told me so. I am though so
unwilling to stop this, as it has helped me so Much. But I myself think cold showers could be
the source of the pain (quite persistent and sometimes intense), as I cant find any other. Can
anyone help me with this? I read here that cold showers can actually help with rheumatic pain.
So I am sort of at a loss

FU April 13, 2015 at 10:41 am

IVE BEEN TAKING COLD SHOWERS FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS NOW. I HAVENT BEEN
SICK IN THE WINTER NOT ONE YEAR SINCE I STARTED AND I LIVE IN BOSTON.
MY TOLERENCE FOR THE COLD WEATHER HAS ALSO INCREASED IMMENSLY.
MY NEIGHBORS THINK IM NUTS BECAUSE I SHOVEL IN A SKULL CAP, SHORTS,
A T-SHIRT, VEST, GLOVES AND FIRE BOOTS LOL. I NEVER SEEM TO FEEL
DROUSY OR OUT OF ENERGY AFTER A COLD SHOWER, WHICH IS THE
COMPLETE OPPOSITE WHEN I WAS TAKING WARM/HOT SHOWERS. IM A BIG
GUY 37 YEARS OLD BUT MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS NORMAL, MY SKIN LOOKS
GREAT AND I HAVE THE HEAD OF HAIR OF A 22 YEAR OLD :) EVERYTIME I TRY
TO TELL MY FRIENDS AND COWORKERS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF A COLD
SHOWER THEY LAUGH AND SAY IM NUTS. I UNDERSTAND THE INITIAL
REACTION, EXPECIALLY IF THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS LETS SAY 30 DEGREES.
WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT THO, THE COLD SHOWER HELPS YOUR
RESISTANCE TO THE COLD. I WEAR SHORTS YEAR ROUND NOW. IF YOU DONT
BELIEVE I RECOMMEND ANYBODY JUST TRY A COLD SHOWER ONCE IN THE
WINTER VERSUS A HOT SHOWER. WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE BATHROOM
FROM A HOT SHOWER YOULL FEEL A CHILL ON YOUR BODY. WHEN YOU GET
OUT OF THE BATHROOM FROM A COLD SHOWER, I GUARANTEE YOU WONT
FEEL CHILLY. MY MIRROR DOESNT GET FOGGY, NOR DOES THE BATHROOM
GET HOT AND MUGGY. MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE WINTER. YOULL FEEL
LESS COLD AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WEARING TONS OF LAYERS
THAT WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE YOU SWEAT WHILE YOUR OUTSIDE. THEN
YOULL REALLY BE COLD JUST TRY, IT WONT KILL YOU !!!
- See more at: http://www.cold-showers.com/a-doctors-view-on-coldshowers/#sthash.rXGUqvgk.dpuf