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The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#121

Post by Fifer82 »

dvdplm wrote: post #119
Fifer82 wrote: post #118

Does anyone know why I prefer being cold more than others? I sleep with all the windows open and my other half has pyjamas, a double duvet and a hot water bottle. Like in December in Scotland. I also dislike wearing Jackets or Coats under any circumstances. I dislike hot drinks maybe apart from Soup. When people go on Holiday and basque in the sun saying it is perfect weather. My actual perfect weather (I believe I f…

Do you have high blood pressure?

Not sure. If I do I have always had it. I don't go the doctors often. How would I know?

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#122

Post by zimpenfish »

thesmallestcat wrote: post #38
zzxxkk123 wrote: post #6

I used to do this every morning... just take a normal hot shower, then at the end crank it full cold and endure until normalized. It's a free high, great way to start a day. I presumed endorphins are being released. Now I prefer to run a bunch of miles and immediately jump into the (cold) ocean while still all hot and amped up from the run. The water doesn't even seem cold, it's great. Normally people wear wet-suits…

Could that induce a heart attack? Like drinking a glass of ice water after mowing the lawn in hot weather.

https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/know-your-risk-of-cardiac...

"In addition, diving into cold water is a recognized trigger for sudden death in a condition called long QT syndrome (LQTS)."

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#123

Post by spodek »

nhumrich wrote: post #64
spodek wrote: post #45

Joel Runyon's Cold Shower Therapy is an awesome introduction, at least for certain types, which includes me. https://impossiblehq.com/cold-shower-therapy I've taken cold showers regularly for years. One of the best things I've done for myself -- creating discipline, self awareness, etc. at zero cost in money or time.

This concept is about 100% cold shower, whereas the article is about 1min of cold at the end of a hot shower. Do you think there is a difference on effectiveness? I would think the extreme of hot-to-cold would be more affective, and after 60 seconds, your bodys already adapted.

I recommend finding out for yourself by trying each and seeing the results. It will cost you nothing in time or money. I guarantee you will learn more about yourself than you would imagine and develop skills applicable throughout life.

I recommend against not trying and finding out through experience. I've found the results amazing, despite costing nothing. Since I've made cold showers a regular habit -- http://joshuaspodek.com/js_blogseries/cold-showers-rock -- I'd love to hear your results.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#124

Post by zimpenfish »

markinthesea wrote: post #114

It's interesting they only focus on the cold shower. I would have thought it would be short and barely give you enough time to get over the initial shock(cold shock response) - around a minute or so when the gag reflex hits and what would potentially drown you in open water. After that shock, things change. My personal experience is with swimming in the sea year round for 3 to 4 years. 2 to 3 times a week every week.…

Another interesting look at cold water troubles - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/know-your-risk-of-cardiac...

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#125

Post by scoggs »

cyberferret wrote: post #58

We did this in our entire house for about 6 months once when our water heater broke and we couldn't afford to get it fixed quickly. UPSIDES: We nearly halved our water bill as all of us (kids and parents) took far shorter showers because it was so cold. This also meant we had to clean the shower much less often. I would also be more awake and alert in the morning after a cold rinse. DOWNSIDES: I noticed I was getting…

Do you think you were standing in the shower incredible tensed up to combat the inevitable cold? I feel like just reading about a cold shower gets me in that mode.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#126

Post by d13 »

cyberferret wrote: post #58

We did this in our entire house for about 6 months once when our water heater broke and we couldn't afford to get it fixed quickly. UPSIDES: We nearly halved our water bill as all of us (kids and parents) took far shorter showers because it was so cold. This also meant we had to clean the shower much less often. I would also be more awake and alert in the morning after a cold rinse. DOWNSIDES: I noticed I was getting…

A small bucket of warm water and sponge is all you really need. You get just as clean as having a full shower, use a tiny fraction of the water - and no risk of hypothermia. This is what what we did living in a small village in the Himalayas for a year.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#127

Post by knicholes »

Fifer82 wrote: post #121
dvdplm wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have high blood pressure?

Not sure. If I do I have always had it. I don't go the doctors often. How would I know?

Here where I live in Utah, they have blood pressure machines all over, like inside of Rite Aid or even grocery stores. You just sit down, push a button, and wait for your arm to be squeezed. Another option is to purchase a sphygmomanometer and test yourself.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#128

Post by markinthesea »

zimpenfish wrote: post #124
markinthesea wrote: post #114

It's interesting they only focus on the cold shower. I would have thought it would be short and barely give you enough time to get over the initial shock(cold shock response) - around a minute or so when the gag reflex hits and what would potentially drown you in open water. After that shock, things change. My personal experience is with swimming in the sea year round for 3 to 4 years. 2 to 3 times a week every week.…

Another interesting look at cold water troubles - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/know-your-risk-of-cardiac...

Interesting, thanks. Ice-baths too. Common in professional sports.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#129

Post by bemmu »

slap_shot wrote: post #42
sytelus wrote: post #30

TLDR; 3000 participants study that asked them to do cold showers for 30-90 seconds each day for 1 month. Main difference shown was ~30% reduction in sick days they took. On a side note, has anyone here tried wim hof method?

Is it possible that that people who are more willing to tolerate pain and uncomfortable situations are less likely to take sicks days, even when sick? I've trie the wim hof method. It's a pretty incredible feeling but I'm afraid of collapsing and knocking myself out.

Since there was no dose-effect relationship either, I find your idea pretty compelling.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial

#130

Post by meesterdude »

twobyfour wrote: post #116
jack_pp wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Try the wim hof method

No.

I laughed at this - and totally understand where you're coming from.

However. For me, I have known people who weather the cold very well - unlike you and I. They'll go for a swim in a cold lake and enjoy it. Generally, I hate the cold. Even a mild cold is NOPE. My hands especially, get cold very easily.

But this is what I saw when I looked up the method:

> If you are new to cold exposure, just end your warm shower with 15 - 30 seconds with cold water only. Begin with your feet and then follow with your legs, your stomach, shoulders, neck, and back. An initial shock, shivering and hyperventilation is normal. Try to remain calm and breathe easily. Close your eyes and really try to embrace the cold. Don't pour the cold water over the head if you are not known with cold exposure. If you feel any strong physical uncomfortableness, like heavy shivering, numbness or pain, get your body warm again as soon as possible. Cold exposure works like weight lifting, you get stronger over time. There are little muscles around your veins that contract when they get into contact with the cold. After some time (only 1-2 weeks according to Wim) these become stronger, making your veins healthier and reducing the force that your heart has to use to pump blood around your body. You can increase exposure over time. At one point the cold will feel just as comfortable as wearing your favorite pajamas and you can skip the warm shower completely. Notice how you feel amazing after a cold shower and sluggish after a warm one.

When I first heard about this guy years ago, i picked up the yoga side of it and deemed it BS. But this kind of gradual conditioning he proposes, and not going overboard with it, makes me think maybe I could try it. In theory, we should feature some adaptive qualities to better weather the cold. I'd sure love to find mine.

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