Self Improvement | Cold Showers

Recently, I have been trying to become a more open-minded person for the benefit of other people and, of course, myself. This has led to many great outcomes including me trying out new experiences and things that I would have believed to be of no use to me. Today, I will take you through one of these new experiences: taking cold showers every morning for a few months.

I will be telling you about my experiences with cold showers, good and bad, as well as listing some of the many purposes they serve. I hope to explain  the reward for putting yourself through such terrifying circumstances, first thing in the morning.

Advantages and Benefits | Cold Showers

The first advantage of having a cold shower is the increase in willpower. Imagine you were asked to go for a morning run at 5:00. If that was me a few months ago, I would’ve laughed in your face and given you at least 100 excuses why I can’t make it and in the end, never even step out the door. Now, after going under extreme coldness, I go for a run, every morning, and have been doing so for a straight month.

Another benefit of having cold showers is the improvement of the health of your hair and skin. After a cold shower, I find my skin looks a lot healthier and there is almost a glow to it. As well as my skin, my hair has begun to accelerate in growth ever since I decided to take cold showers.There is even some scientific proof that i found that proves these amazing occurrences actually happen.

It can also be a stress reliever, especially if you have something like depression. Many studies show that taking a cold shower proves more effective than taking drugs, given over the counter,  that ‘relieve’ depressed people.

I have come to the personal conclusion that everyone needs to start having cold showers or at least attempt to. Although there many other benefits to having cold showers, I believe I have covered the two most beneficial reasons which have affected my life in the best way.

Experiences and Development | Cold Showers

The first day I faced the terrifying task of the cold depths of the antarctic (my shower),I bravely turned the shower on full cold and then just stood there, trying to convince myself that this was definitely a good idea and that the benefits outweighed my fears. Eventually, I jumped in. The spray of the shower hit me shockingly hard and I started breathing really heavily, almost hyperventilating, and began shivering. I hated it and loved it at the same time. I did not know how to control myself.

Half way through the month (day 15), I started to feel a rush of energy and a sense of clarity every single time I had a cold shower. I had  also come to control myself so that I would not breathe so hard and shiver. The trick that helped me do this was to actually  learn how to control my breathing. In a way, you can say this is an extreme way of meditating. Although I still have a massive mental contest every time I step into a cold shower, the experience is almost pleasant, now that I have mastered my breathing. 

Currently,  I take two cold showers a day, one when i wake up and one after I workout(watch out for my workout regime blog post coming soon). Both of these showers allow me to feel a new sense energy creep in whenever I take them.

Final Thoughts | Cold Showers

This was originally a 30-day challenge I set for myself but now, after seeing how my life has improved, I don’t think I will ever stop this new change I have embraced. It has truly become part of my lifestyle.