Cold Showers
Cold showers are my new best friend! Have you tried one yet? I know they sound awful but hear me out!
Why cold showers are good for you?
“Exposure to cold causes our bodies to release a rush of “stress hormones,” including cortisol, norepinephrine and adrenaline. This leads to a shutdown of nonessential bodily functions, which include inflammatory responses, among others.
High release of stress hormones may sound bad, but when it happens briefly and then you give yourself time to recover, it’s actually very beneficial — much like with exercise, fasting and other “good stressors.” That’s why there are several cold shower benefits.” - Dr. Axe
So here’s why I do it:
1. Improved Mental Clarity and Alertness
2. Reduced Inflammation
3. Help with Exercise Recovery
4. Lifted Mood, Confidence, and Will Power
5. Healthy Metabolism
6. Impoves Sleep
7. Reduces Stress
8. More Robust Immune Response
9. Higher Level of Alertness
10. Improved Circulation
How I Started vs. how it’s going now:
I always start with a hot shower and when first going cold, I turned the temp down and stayed for a full 30 seconds. I didn’t get my hair wet (I only wash my hair one maybe two times each week anyway), I worked to breathe slowly and with control, and started with just my back to the cold water. Over time, I added 10 seconds to my phone’s timer, decreased the water temp, and started to slowly spin my body. Now, I’m up to two minutes and could likely go longer as I know how great I feel once the water is off! Kinda how my motivation works…once I start feeling it, it’s way easier to stick with it!
*Also! After the cold shower I just get out of the shower. I don’t turn the water back to warm*
Tips to Get You Started:
Start small. Aim for 20 seconds at the end of every shower.
BREATHE. It’ll likely want to take your breath away (at first) but just remember this is all will power are you are definitely mentally tough enough to do anything for 20 seconds.
Maybe don’t crank the water to as cold as it goes! Most showers only drop to 50ºF ish(which will feel freezing) but most cold plunges are set anywhere between 38º-43º so it’s not so bad. Start with cool and work your way cooler.
Challenge yourself for ONE WEEK!
Also, I love hanging eucalyptus in the shower. It doesn’t help with standing in cold water but it smells great and makes me cold loving tush happy!
C’mon, just try it! It’s just 20-120 seconds out of 86,400 seconds in your day. You got this! #RisingUpStronger