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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)

#81

Post by nmstoker »

OnACoffeeBreak wrote: post #77
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…

Obviously you don't feel that using cold water negatively impacts how effectively you can clean yourself otherwise you wouldn't do this, but I was interested to know because I assumed hot water is better. So, I did some searching, and results appear inconclusive [1]: > The impact of handwashing techniques on infectious diseases among the general public in community settings has not been extensively studied.Hot water…

Interesting. Pure speculation but if the shower were very cold could that lead to shorter cleaning times too (not that I ever left "unwashed", but I recall when my boiler failed I was super-speedy showering!)

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

#82

Post by baroomba »

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 went about seven years without ever getting more than my “annual cold”—about 12-36hrs of very light sniffles with no fever or sore throat, about once a year. I was was also trim and looked and felt awesome. It’s far and away the healthiest period of my life.

... for the whole time I took extremely long hot showers, lived on 3000+ calories of junk food per day, and probably averaged not more than 6hrs of sleep per night, with no regular schedule. What kept me super-healthy was “being a teenager”.

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

#83

Post by vijucat »

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…

Thanks for sharing this! I'm addicted to ending with cold showers now, but your comment on not starting with hot water at all is very interesting. It took me a week before I realized that rather than being a chore, this was addictive! 15 minutes after a bath, I often find myself missing the buzz. Also, FYI to those reading: it helps you sleep sooner. I was under the impression that a nice, warm shower is best before bed, but a cold shower makes me drowsy like nothing else and you hit the pillow asleep.

By the way, where do you live? For me, in Hong Kong, cold showers are not really that difficult at 15 degrees celsius (59 degrees fahrenheit).

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

#84

Post by Angostura »

greesil wrote: post #76
Angostura wrote: post #72

The group studied seem to have a extraordinarily high rate of sick-days no? Around 30% taking a sick day in a 90 day period? I've probably had 2 sick days in 3 years (data point: mid 50s, a nice hot bath with my toe stuck out of the bubbles, good book, cup of tea).

I have two kids and I have been sick six times in the past four months. I thank my lucky stars that my employer does not limit sick days. 30% amongst parents doesn't seem that strange to me.

I was a stay at home dad, so I understand the dangers of continuous stream of snot. Still seems very high. I can't find if they say what time of year the study was carried out.

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

#85

Post by hanley »

ses1984 wrote: post #80
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…

Did you ever measure the water temp? How cold is cold?

Not OP, but I finish every shower with 2-3 minutes of as cold as the faucet will go. I've been doing this every day for about a year. In the winter my water temp is in the mid-40 degrees F. I love this habit. It's always difficult, but I always feel great after doing it.

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

#86

Post by skizm »

A cold show temporarily jacks your heart rate up just enough to get you out the door. It doesn’t make people less sick, just less likely to take a sick day. The article even says subjects that were sick just felt slightly more energetic and not less sick. I’ve still seen no evidence that cold showers have any real health benefits.

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

#87

Post by blunte »

OnACoffeeBreak wrote: post #77
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…

Obviously you don't feel that using cold water negatively impacts how effectively you can clean yourself otherwise you wouldn't do this, but I was interested to know because I assumed hot water is better. So, I did some searching, and results appear inconclusive [1]: > The impact of handwashing techniques on infectious diseases among the general public in community settings has not been extensively studied.Hot water…

Heat means more energy which means more movement of particles. More movement of particles, especially where soap has decreased surface tension of water, means water touches and helps carry away more dirt and other removable particles.

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

#88

Post by michalu »

Moru wrote: post #46
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 cold is cold for you normally? Our water is about four degrees celcius never mind what season it is. It just hurts, never really managed to stay more than a few seconds. Some people around here are hacking a hole in the ice and swimming for a while... Edit: Seems the test assumed 10-12 degrees average temperature in Netherlands.

As cold as it gets. I am from Eastern Europe but now staying in south of France for couple months. When I am home it can be as cold as couple degrees above 0, especially in winter on the countryside.

Now in the south it's not so cold which bothers me, but I use the coldest possible out of the principle, as to keep the principle is the key.

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

#90

Post by srge »

ramblerman wrote: post #42
srge wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

You could also … try and take a cold shower

Already did in fact but not long enough apparently
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