Cold Showers: Lots of benefits apparently...

[Gammmmo]

UPDATE: I still use cold showers but periodically and in conjunction with drinking a strong coffee afterwards when I want to feel REALLY alert.

[jimmyshand]

This is a very interesting thread for me because a) I used to do the cold shower thing and it definitely woke me up well but very painful experience at times and b) I only recently discovered the concept of the 'Scottish shower' which is weird because I am Scottish and had never heard of it but if you Google it you'll see loads about it (hot shower, ends with cold rinse).

As for benefits, the only real benefit of a cold shower I can think of for me is that it uses much less water because I'd be in and out in 60 seconds. And maybe a little more alert.

[hobbit]

I've just started having a cold shower first thing every morning to wake me up. I thought it was worth a try after reading "Pondlife" a funny little book by Al Alvarez about the joys of swimming in Hampstead Pond every day for many years, including when the ice had to broken first.

After a week, I'm pretty well addicted. It feels wonderful.

[Hillclimber]

Recent study shows benefits of good old hot bath.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28980321/

[Ombrax]

During the summer I turn the water heater down in basement off. That makes for bracing showers...

(although to be honest, most of the time I shower at the gym, not at home; and given that there is hot water there, I'm not strong enough to not use it)

[Allan Olesen]

Some food for thought if some of you are OTW rowers in the winter*:

I was once told that the captain on one of the UK ships during the Falklands war instructed his crew to always take cold showers. When that ship was sunk by the enemy and the crew had to abandon ship into the cold water, they all survived.

Usually when you get immersed in water below 10 °C, you can't suppress your gasp reflex and will gasp for air under the water. But the gasp reflex can be trained to go away by exposing yourself to cold water every now and then. So probably, that captain saved a lot of his crew members by letting them take those cold showers.

(*: I am, though paddling a sea kayak, not rowing a boat. And even though I paddle in a drysuit, I sometimes jump into the icy water in speedos, just to make myself used to the cold water.)

[MathewCox]

I have always took cold showers, even since little...my skin is too sensitive to warm water, it's great to know that I have been doing it well

[Nick]

Been doing this for years and I really enjoy it. After my warm morning shower - all cleaned up - I slollllllllly turn the hot down and the cold up until it gets to the point of teeth chattering cold - I hold on for about thirty seconds and then I'm finished. Don't know about scientific findings - but I feel wonderful after that. Unfortunately, a "friend" that showered with me several years ago didn't quite appreciate my sense of comfort - never saw her again, hmm!

[Erik A]

Unfortunately, a "friend" that showered with me several years ago didn't quite appreciate my sense of comfort - never saw her again, hmm![/quote]


But was it the cold shower or "something else"

[Nick]

Well, now that I'm fast approaching my 80th year - my memory just ain't what it should be - but I do seem to recall a few occasions when the young lady in question had a smile on her pretty face. Keep calm and erg on!