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The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

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Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#31

Post by chongli »

joncrane wrote: post #13
lbj wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't sound healthy at all. If the only difference is that they went to work sick, then I see little benefit. Except to the disease of course, it get spread around more effectively.

The takeaway I get is that it increases perseverance. So basically, "doing something physically unpleasant every day increases ability to push through/withstand other physically unpleasant events" is my big takeaway. Seems pretty straightforward. Not necessarily novel, especially when you add in the exercise portion. I think there's some value to pushing yourself harder than the minimum to be comfortable and survive.…

Does it increase perseverance or merely select for it? This study does not distinguish the two and to me the latter is more likely.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#32

Post by javajosh »

As a side note, if you ever do a Vipassana 10-day retreat (dhamma.org) try taking a cold shower during the course. It's a nice challenge, and an application of the "non-reaction" practice. (Personally I found myself far, far more tolerant of the cold water, to the extent I was kind of amazed that my previous self was so averse to it).

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#33

Post by feintruled »

lucideer wrote: post #11
lbj wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't sound healthy at all. If the only difference is that they went to work sick, then I see little benefit. Except to the disease of course, it get spread around more effectively.

The problem you're describing sounds more like a societal/work-culture problem that's completely orthogonal to the study. Cold showering improved individual health: the fact that those experiencing said improved health made unwise decisions that may increase the spread of disease doesn't change the fact.

Perhaps what we have here is a concrete example of the principle put forward by Mark Twain - “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#34

Post by iandanforth »

chongli wrote: post #31
joncrane wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The takeaway I get is that it increases perseverance. So basically, "doing something physically unpleasant every day increases ability to push through/withstand other physically unpleasant events" is my big takeaway. Seems pretty straightforward. Not necessarily novel, especially when you add in the exercise portion. I think there's some value to pushing yourself harder than the minimum to be comfortable and survive.…

Does it increase perseverance or merely select for it? This study does not distinguish the two and to me the latter is more likely.

That's what the randomization protocol is for?

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#35

Post by trumbitta2 »

exdsq wrote: post #22
bsaul wrote: post #5

i wonder if there are studies about hot bath. Onsen are extremely popular in japan, and i'm absolutely certain the relaxation you get from hot water is beneficial to health as well

I recently read that a Finnish sauna practically counts as exercise for the cardiovascular system, I assume onsen have a similar benefit. I'm sure I read somewhere that cold showers can be dangerous for people with per-existing heart conditions too. I can't cite either right now but they should be easy to find with a Google search.

I know I have a heart condition (atrial fibrillation) and extreme cold, just like extreme heat, triggers my heart in ways I surely want to avoid at all times.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#36

Post by pgt »

michalu wrote: post #17

I've been taking cold showers exclusively for 11 years now. It doesn't get much easier but you'll get addicted to the great feeling after. It's similar to running or exercise, it sucks to do but you do it anyway because the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort. The trick for me was to never use warm shower again and never compromise ... only coldest water available counts. First thing in the morning. It mak…

I've been doing reverse Bond showers for the past two weeks, where I start off with cold water and gradually switch to warm water. During the initial rush I can feel the "mammalian dive response" kick in as my eyes open wider and something in my brain goes, "Ohh shit, Dorothy! This ain't Kansas no more," then after ~20 seconds I switch over to warm water so I can wash.

Would switching from cold to warm water still have benefits?

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#37

Post by veza »

amelius wrote: post #30
michalu wrote: post #17

I've been taking cold showers exclusively for 11 years now. It doesn't get much easier but you'll get addicted to the great feeling after. It's similar to running or exercise, it sucks to do but you do it anyway because the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort. The trick for me was to never use warm shower again and never compromise ... only coldest water available counts. First thing in the morning. It mak…

How do you deal with summers when the water temperature goes up? Do you notice that the benefits are less then?

Related, may I ask in what climatic area are you living? Where I live it gets so cold in the winter that I almost can't even wash my hands with cold water. On the other side I feel like in the summer I could take on such a habit. Maybe a solution would be to warm it just slightly in the winter.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#38

Post by Dolores12 »

jokoon wrote: post #19

During winter I never heat my home above 18C, so I never use any heating. My computer and I are the only sources of heat and it's enough (not to mention the fridge, etc). If it goes below 16 I do some pushups and dress accordingly. If the bed is really cold, I just use a hot-water bag. I like the cold. To be honest, I'm also wondering if getting used to the cold might result in some form of slight weight loss, since…

>I'm also wondering if getting used to the cold might result in some form of slight weight loss

Your body burns calories to keep its temperature - 36.6C. Another trick to force your body to burn calories is to drink cold water.

Re: The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)

#40

Post by srge »

michalu wrote: post #17

I've been taking cold showers exclusively for 11 years now. It doesn't get much easier but you'll get addicted to the great feeling after. It's similar to running or exercise, it sucks to do but you do it anyway because the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort. The trick for me was to never use warm shower again and never compromise ... only coldest water available counts. First thing in the morning. It mak…

I would be interested in reading more about your experience with cold showers. If you posted on a blog or something about this please let me know.
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