Why You Need to be Taking Cold Showers

Growing up in a yogic community, the notion of cold showers was not foreign to me. I learned from a young age how to motivated myself to count to 3 and jump under that frigid stream of water, rubbing my body and spinning around chanting "Waheguru" and stay under the water for at least a minute. All the cool kids were doing it.

Cold showers were often something I dreaded, and at times used as punishment when I did something wrong. Yes, my mother would shove me under the cold water in leu of a time out, clothes and all. At boarding school in India (I attended off and on from age 12-18) there were times when I'd be forced to take a cold shower because the water heaters weren't working, or the fact that I was sharing one shower with 8 or 9 other girls meant that the hot water had just been used up already and I was left with a minute of lukewarm dregs before the ice cold death would start streaming out of the shower head. Imagine washing your hair in that. In winter. Not fun.

Over the years I grew to enjoy them, especially in the morning for how well they could wake me up. I have often woken up feeling a little bit depressed, but once I'm in the cold water, I can't help but make funny noises and yell which usually makes me laugh and cheers me up. I don't think one can take a cold shower and be depressed. (If you struggle with AM blues I highly recommend giving this a try. It can be as simple as taking your hot shower first to actually clean your body and then turning the faucet all the way to cold and just being under the cold water for 30 seconds. I outline how to do the full shebang below.)

I have at times (sorry parents) used them to wake me up after a night of drinking. I'm not gonna lie, I've had my moments of imbibing a bit too much and they have helped me feel human again the next day.

I guess all the cold showers I've taken over the years have helped me develop a tolerance for cold water and generally putting my body into uncomfortable situations. Recently I visited a waterfall with a friend here in Oregon. I slowly lowered myself into the water, laughing from how cold it was, and staying in there for a few minutes. Afterwards my friend exclaimed - Wow! None of my friends have ever gone in there, you are crazy! I have been through worse, I said smiling to myself.

HOW TO TAKE A PROPER YOGIC COLD SHOWER:

It is advised to massage your body with almond or coconut oil before you step into the shower. Once you get into the shower, massage your body vigorously all over. Hitting your biceps/shoulders and inner and outer thighs helps to develop courage. Don't quote me on this, its just what they told us at boarding school I couldn't explain the science behind it but I think it works. After you get out of the shower, continue massaging your body. You can continue this cycle 3-4 times or until the water does not feel cold anymore. This is an excellent practice to maintain youthful skin, increase blood flow and energize you! (See below for a full list of benefits!)

BENEFITS OF COLD SHOWERS:

1. Brings blood to the capillaries

2. Cleans the circulatory system

3. Reduces blood pressure on internal organs, flushing internal organs and giving them a new supply of blood

4. Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

5. Contracts the muscles and causes them to eliminate toxins and poisons more quickly

6. Brings the power of resistance and resilience to the body

7. Strengthens the mucous membranes

8. Keeps the skin young and shining

9. Prevents the body from developing an extra layer of fat, which affects the liver

10. Balances all the glands

11. Circulation and nerve problems can be prevented by regular cold showers.

Note: When menstruating, women should not take a cold shower. A woman is advised to take showers with lukewarm water during the menstrual cycle.

(https://www.3ho.org/3ho-lifestyle/women/radiant-health-and-beauty/cold-showers-radiant-glow)

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