7 health benefits of a cold shower

The practice of cold showers enters the traditions of many countries, such as Finland, Russia, Thailand, Korea or Japan, and is accompanied by several benefits confirmed by medical experts.

From the quicker burning of fats to the improvement of blood circulation, the positive effects of cold water showers are countless.
The scientists offer some useful information about the potential positive impact of washing with cold water.

1. Strengthens the immune system
A whole series of scientific studies demonstrate that exposure to cold helps to strengthen the immune system. Body contact with cold water increases the metabolic rate by reversing trembling and activating the immune response. Certain experiments on human samples have shown that regular cold showers show an increase in plasma concentration, T cell count and lymphocytes.
In Sweden and Norway, parents let their babies sleep in the open air, even at very low temperatures. These children have been more resistant to illness, and have a better sleep.

2.Increases alertness
A shower made in the morning has a powerful refreshing effect and helps stimulate brain oxygenation. At the same time, the heart rate increases as well as the rate at which the blood circulates in the body. All of these physiological responses help to supplement energy reserves, improve alert status, and power of concentration.

3. Improves the appearance of the skin and hair
One of the best ways to maintain hair and skin hydration is to avoid direct contact with hot water. Cold water helps to close the pores preventing the penetration of impurities inside them. The low water temperature also contributes to reducing the loss of natural oils of the skin and scalp. Cold water acts as a real hair treatment, helping it to be brighter, thicker and healthier.

4. It helps you loose some pounds
White fat is stored in tissues when a person consumes more calories than the body needs to function properly, and these are not eliminated by physical effort. This type of fat is usually accumulated in the waist, lumbar, neck and thigh area.
Brown fat generates the heat needed to regulate the internal temperature of the body and is activated by exposure to cold. Therefore, cold showers stimulate the activity of brown adipose tissue.
A study conducted in 2009 found that activating brown fats regularly by exposure to low temperatures can help lose up to 4 pounds a year without any changes in diet or daily exercise.

5. Improves muscular discomfort after physical effort
Muscle discomfort resulting from sustained physical effort can be improved by a cold shower. A 5-year study involving more than 350 athletes and cycling athletes found that cold baths of about 24 minutes can treat muscle fever after 1-4 days from muscle overload, with a water temperature of 10-15 degrees Celsius.

6. Improves the symptoms of depression
Cold showers have also proven to be useful in relieving depression symptoms. This effect is due to the intense impact felt by the skin tissue receptor, which triggers the transmission of an impressive number of nerve impulses from the peripheral nerve endings to the brain. This process produces a powerful antidepressant effect, helping to regulate mood.
A study published in 2008 found that hydrotherapy has analgesic effect. This form of therapy involves making two cold showers (at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius), each 2-3 minutes each.

7.Improves sleep quality

Another benefit of cold showers is to improve sleep quality and combat insomnia. Patients with sleep disturbances are advised to wash with cold water before bedtime, because afterwards a pleasant state of calmness affords rapid sleep.