The daily shower is a very enjoyable part of the morning, and especially on cold days you turn on the hot water tap almost all the way. Is that what you should be doing? It turns out that a cold water shower is great for your health and the beauty of your skin. Sound scary? The benefits outweigh the dislike of feeling cold, so it’s worth the break.
The perfect way to take a cold shower is to make it a habit. Start by slowly lowering the temperature at the end of your regular shower. Let the water get cold enough to feel uncomfortable. Then stay under the water for 2 or 3 minutes. The deep breathing will help reduce the discomfort in your mind. The next time you try this exercise, cool the water slightly. Try to persevere for another minute or two in colder water. After doing this 7 to 10 times, you will find that you can even begin to wait for the warm water temperature to decrease.
Cold showers are not the main source of treatment for any condition, but they can help relieve symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Ice-cold water can be soothing, especially if you have problems with itchy skin such as eczema or allergies, relieve muscle tension after an intense workout, and promote blood circulation. Besides the certainty that it will completely wake you up, cold showers are advisable for people who care about their weight or want to have smooth and shiny hair. Taking a cold shower 2 or 3 times a week can help speed up your metabolism. What’s more, unlike hot water, cold water does not strip your skin of its protective sebum layer, the lack of which leads to dryness.
In the evening, when you need to relax, a hot shower will help relax your muscles and help you fall asleep faster. Hot water and especially the steam you inhale will alleviate cold symptoms and respiratory ailments.
Some experts recommend what’s called a contrast shower – change the water temperature every minute, from lowest to highest, for three to five cycles, or 6 to 10 minutes.
Contrary to what many people believe, you don’t have to shower every day. Your skin may look better if you limit yourself to a few showers a week, especially during the winter months when the air is dry and you don’t sweat as much. For others, showering daily is simply a matter of feeling clean and comfortable. Daily showers are best taken in lukewarm water and should last no longer than 10 minutes.
After each shower, remember to keep your skin moisturized with your favorite lotion or oil.
Read also: Do you wrap your hair in a towel when you get out of the shower and then ‘early’ styling products into it when you take it off? After reading this article you can change your habit forever
Main photo: Armin Rimoldi/ pexels.com
