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Hot Shower vs. Cold Shower Benefits

hot shower vs. cold shower benefits

Chances are, you strongly prefer either a hot shower or a cold shower. But, proponents of either could stand to consider switching their temperature up a bit. Cold and hot showers each provide benefits, just different benefits. Which would be best for you?

The Benefits of Cold Showers

If you’re a fan of hot showers, it may surprise you to hear that some people prefer it cold. You don’t have to be the type of person who likes to jump in ice water (the polar plunge) to appreciate that a cool shower can be refreshing once you’re used to it. Here are some of the benefits of cold showers:

  • Increase your body’s circulation
  • Increase wakefulness
  • Increase your oxygen intake
  • Reducing any muscle soreness
  • May boost weight loss and metabolism
  • Lowers stress hormones
  • Protect dry skin and reduce itching
  • Help keeps hair healthy
  • Temporarily increase your heart rate (helps with waking up)

Cold showers are all about energizing you. That’s why some people prefer to take them in the morning when they are struggling to wake up. Others like to take them after their workout to help prevent muscle soreness and aid with recovery.

Your doctor may also encourage you to have a cold shower if you have a circulatory condition like hypertension or cardiovascular disease. The cold water promotes blood flow not just on your skin but also deep in your tissues. It can also reduce your inflammation, which can be helpful for a variety of different conditions. Of course, you should talk to your doctor about whether regular cold showers are a good idea to help with any condition of yours. Also, be cautious, as it can be hard for those with heart conditions to adjust to cold water without raising their blood pressure.

How to Adjust to a Cold Shower

If you want to adjust to having colder showers, what should you do? Instead of slowly lowering the temperature of your shower every day until it’s cold, expose yourself to a short blast of cold water every day for 15 seconds or so. Then turn on the heat to have a shower. You build up your tolerance by standing in the water longer and longer every day until you’re only having a cold shower.

The Benefits of Hot Showers

It’s safe to say that hot showers are a more typical favorite shower temperature. However, taking one in the morning might not be the best idea. Hot showers can relieve stress, relax your muscles by activating the parasympathetic nerve system, and help us fall asleep. If you struggle to wake up in the morning, then you may want to turn the shower down a bit.

If that isn’t a problem for you, then there are many other benefits of hot showers that you can enjoy, including:

  • Help with dry throat, nose and eyes
  • Open up your airways
  • Loosen phlegm
  • Reduce blemishes
  • Can open pores

As you might predict from the benefits of hot showers, they are a comforting option for people who feel under the weather. If you have the flu or a cold, then a hot shower can help relieve your respiratory symptoms.

Want a Longer Hot Shower?

Adjusting to a hot shower isn’t an issue. Instead, you might be wondering how you can get a longer one. You can have a hot shower for as long as you like if you have a tankless water heater.

Need more help with showers? With service in Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and beyond, help is never far away. Call or contact us today to get started.