Reap Amazing Benefits from the Last 30 Seconds of Your Shower
Are you fond of cold showers? If your answer is no, then you are one with the majority. We do not blame you, either. Not many people enjoy getting shocked, especially not during the first thing in the morning. But what if we tell you that there are several health benefits to ending your shower cold?
No, we are not kidding. There are scientific studies that back up our claim. Read on to find out more about cold outs. You might find yourself wanting to give it another chance when you do (and enjoy it this time around).
What is Cold Out?
Imagine yourself taking a hot, steamy shower. Just as you are about to finish, you turn down the heat to the coldest temperature while still on full blast at the last minute or 30 seconds. That is what we call a cold out. You should do it even in winter, too. Before you hightail out of here, hear us out. It is not as dreadful as it seems, and it is far more beneficial than you realize.
We get that some like taking scalding showers, though it might be high time to cool off the habit. Super hot showers are not suitable for you anyway (unless you want to risk drying out and irritating your skin). But here is something that will do you a lot of good.
What Makes a Cold Out Great?
Doing a cold out presents you with these great health benefits:
Morning Alertness
Remember that initial shock you may be dreading when the cold spray hits you? It serves to increase the following:
- oxygen intake
- heart rate
- alertness
It is precisely what you need to start your morning right. You will not have to go about the early hours shuffling about like the walking dead. It may also just be enough to lessen your caffeine intake.
Smoother Skin, Shinier Hair
Your hair and scalp have an affinity for cold water.
After the hot or warm water temperature, the cold out will soothe the stress the heat may have caused your skin. You will find yours to be softer and more supple, especially if it has been dry or flaky (which is common around winter time). It will even give it a healthier glow as it tightens and constricts your blood flow.
You also might have already heard that it closes your pores (but FYI, your pores never close off entirely), which is true. The pores will take on a smoother, tighter appearance after the rush of cold water. And if you have been experiencing itchy skin, a cold out will ease that itchiness, too.
A cold out presents a similar effect on your hair. The cold water closes and strengthens your hair cuticles while giving them a nice, natural shine. It will not dry out your sebum layer, either, which is essential for your scalp and hair’s protection from environmental stressors. Now you know why your senior stylist washes your hair with cool water.
Calorie Burn
Are you looking to increase your metabolism and burn some calories? Yes, a cold out can help you with that, too. During that initial cold water shock, your body will work to protect you by keeping your temperature stable. This effort increases your heart rate and causes calorie burn. Exposure to cold temperatures will have some fat cells (like brown fat) generate heat and burn off your fat. What a great way to boost the metabolism with hardly any effort!
And if you decide to work out, cold water has regenerative properties that will help ease and repair those muscles after a strenuous exercise.
Improve Circulation
If experts were to choose the top benefit of cold outs, it would be its capacity to increase circulation. Since cold water constricts circulation on your body’s surface, the blood in your deep tissues will circulate faster to regulate your temperature.
Good blood circulation enables the proper and better flow of oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. Those suffering from hypertension or cardiovascular disease will significantly benefit from the improved circulation as it will reduce inflammation.
Better Mood
Now, you might think you will come out of your shower cranky after being shocked. However, a cold will do the opposite and boost your mood. Studies suggest that a cold shower will stimulate your sympathetic nervous system. The activation causes an increase in your neurotransmitters (namely norepinephrine and endorphins), giving you an excellent high. Again, your mornings will be looking better and brighter.
Are you an evening shower person? No worries! While the initial shock will wake you, a cold out will cool your core body temperature. You will be able to fall asleep quicker and enjoy a good night’s rest.
Immunity Boost
And if all the above benefits are not good enough for you, a cold out will give you an immunity boost against the cold and flu seasons. Studies say this extra protection is most likely due to improved circulation, particularly lymphatic drainage.
When you stimulate the lymphatic system, toxin and waste buildup are easily flushed out of your system. If you have been having problems with facial and abdominal bloatedness, bodily discomfort, illness, acne, or poor sleep, then consider these issues solved! It will also help produce lactic acid, which aids in your recovery faster from illness or injuries.
How To End Your Showers Right
Now that we have you convinced of the cold out benefits, here is how to do it right:
- All it takes is at least 30 seconds.
- Try it. It is not as long as you believe. Thirty seconds is enough to expose every body part to the cold water (including hard to reach areas like your hair, face, and underarms).
- Ease into it.
- If you are still scared of the initial shock, you can ease onto it by stepping back as you turn the water cold. As the temperature drops, you can test it out with your foot or hand.
- Then get into it fully.
- When you are ready, expose yourself to the cold water, starting with your legs, torso, then face.
- Afterward, turn around and let it hit your back. Lift your arms, saturate your hair. And do not forget your neck and lower back.
And voila, enjoy the rush of endorphins!Soon enough, you will find yourself positively hooked on cold outs.
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