Table of Contents
| QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | ||||||
| ANXIETY | ||||||
| CHINESE MEDICINE | ||||||
| COLD BATHS | ||||||
| COLD SHOWER FEEDBACK | ||||||
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Cold Shower Cures
Unless you live in a hot climate, this is not one of the more pleasant home therapies listed on this website! However, we've added it to our Earth Clinic because we find the therapy of immense value. The practice of taking cold showers in the morning is extraordinarily revitalizing and has been used therapeutically all over the world for thousands of years.
Gurudev Khar Khalsa, a Sat Nam Rasayan healer and Kundalini Yoga teacher in Los Angeles sent us this information on the healing power of cold showers.
"Cold Water Massage Therapy is the one of the healthiest and inexpensive of therapies. Simply massage the body with almond oil before taking a shower. Shower in cold water until your body temperature rises and no longer feels cold, but toasty and warm. Make sure the bathroom is heated. Never get out of a cold shower into a cold room.
*** Please note: Cold showers should not be taken during a woman's time of menstruation. A woman needs extra rest and gentleness during her menses. Taking a cold shower is too much for the reproductive system during menstruation. A lukewarm shower is recommended. Generally speaking, hot showers are not good as they tend to depress the various physiological systems of the body.
Cold showers have the following positive effects:
* Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.
* Cleans the circulatory system.
* Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.
* Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.
* Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
* Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.
* Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs.
Many health problems are reduced or even eliminated over time by providing proper circulation of the blood to the affected area using the cold shower massage.
"Ishnan" is the term used in the old days when people in India referred to cold showers (very cold showers). "Ishnan" is the point at which the body, by its own virtue, creates the temperature that it can beat off the coldness of the water. This happens when the capillaries open with the onset of the cold water. They close again during the course of the cold shower and it is at that point that all the blood rushes back to flush the organs and the glands. This process allows the glands to renew their secretions and "youth" (i.e. young glands) again returns to the body."
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
POPULAR REMEDIES:
| COLD SHOWER FEEDBACK | 109 YEAS |
| SKIN CARE | 17 YEAS |
| ANXIETY | 12 YEAS |
| SLEEP ISSUES | 9 YEAS |
| DEPRESSION | 7 YEAS |
| COLD BATHS | 6 YEAS |
ANXIETY
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12/20/2011: Marissa from Williamstown, Nj writes: "I suffer from anxiety so much! And I want to start this cold shower therapy, but will it negatively effect my high blood pressure? btw this high blood pressure is all new ever since I've started with these headaches that seem like tension. (alot if pain on almost a daily basis) will the CST be a good solution for me? Does it help with headaches? Thanx so much!!"
Replies12/21/2011: Timh from Louisville, Usa replies: "Marissa, all your symptoms are common in heavy metal poisoning. Do you detox periodically? Master Cleanse? Take Vit/min supplement? Eat lots of greens, Chlorella? Oil Pull? it could likely be anything else like allergy or who knows, just sayin' it's likely.From what I've read, cold shower therapy can be dangerous for LOW blood pressure folks. Try CST s l o w l y. Just a little cool at end of shower, more cooler and end of next shower etc.
I would do the CST along with other detox methods. A high profile, high potency multivitamin/mineral/foods supplement as directed on label alone will help very much if you are one who never supplement."
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[YEA] 07/23/2009: Sveta from Des Plaines, IL writes: "I just want to say that cold showers are great for major depression and anxiety disorder, but they don't help much if you don't shower your head. First, I was doing cold showers but was avoiding showering my head. It helped but I still had a lot of anxiety and depression going on. Then, after trying to SHOWER NOT ONLY MY BODY BUT MY HEAD too with cold water (I was told it's good for hair loss), I felt like I was born again. Plus, my hair doesn't seem to fall out much any more."
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[YEA] 01/30/2008: Sandy from San Rafael, CA writes: "About two months ago I was having yet another anxiety attack in the middle of the night. I got up and Googled and wound up at your site. Thank goodness! I read all the testamonials for Cold Shower Therapy. I tried it and much to my amazement I have felt so much better! I am grounded,emotionally stable and strong. My skin feels fabulous, my hair is soft and shiny, I am energized and also relaxed. I have tried so many treatments for severe depression,anxiety and panic attacks. CST has helped me beyond my wildest dreams. Yes, I now sleep so well that I am having amazing dreams as well. Thank you for this great resource and community !!!!!"
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[YEA] 01/08/2008: Mike from Toronto, Canada writes: "I use the cold shower therapy everyday now, I try to do it at least twice a day. I also practice falun dafa which results me in good health also. Two power combination. I have more energy, more alert, less anxiety and less depression. It is uncomfortable at the beginning but well worth it."
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[YEA] 08/07/2007: Brenna from Rochester, NY, USA writes: "Well, I found your site from a link on paxilprogress.org and I suggested this "crazy idea" to my husband who's been dealing with panic attacks and anxiety. He hopped in, screamed for a few minutes, and came out looking a lot better than he had in a long time. I figured I'd "take the plunge" as well, just to try it out. As a FORMER hot-shower addict, I have to say that cold showers are IT!! I feel amazing, my face isn't dry, my hair is silky, etc. Plus, my husband happened to jump back in and...well, let's just say that "taking a cold shower" has a whole new meaning for us! ;)"
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[YEA] 07/09/2007: Bryon from Cincinnati, OH writes: "I started cold showers about three or four weeks ago and I love them now. They seem to help me get rejuvenated in the morning and I have had less anxiety. Everyone should try them."
Replies[YEA] 09/30/2008: Jon from Monongahela, PA replies: "Oh God...this is the most greatest thing in the world. I embrace the Eastern philosophy of medicine which talks about natural and organic treatments to the ailments that we all suffer. Unlike Western medicine that gives you toxic pills to swallow only to treat the symptoms and not to cure you. I feel great. I've never been so happy and energetic in my life and I feel like I'm high all day long...of course with out the impairment of psychotropic drugs. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...yeah, there is the hesitation associated with jumping into a swimming pool, but please, just "bite the bullet" and do it.....every day.
THANK YOU EARTHCLINIC.COM!"
12/28/2008: Leon from Wichita, Kansas replies: "I agree. The Western medicine is atrocious. The only side effects I get from them is insomnia, weight gain, nervousness, and irritability. But most of all it tastes bad. I am glad to embrace the Eastern way of handling the problems with my body through taking cold baths and nasal cleansing. It works. It worked for Neiman in the Bible (leprosy), it worked for Father Sebastian Kneipp (tuberculosis), and it works for me (asthma and allergies)."
[YEA] 04/07/2010: Hellfang from Toronto, Canada replies: "Here's my own personal story that is related to this concept.I've always been the person with the weakest immune system, when I was a kid I had anemia, and since then I would get the flu 3-4 times a year, each time resulting in 3 weeks in bed for recovery.
Then at age 25 by pure fluke I started taking cold showers (ok it was no fluke, I couldn't pay my heat bill so they cut off the hot water :S), and I immediatley started feeling a difference. I went on close to 5 years now without getting sick once! (I did eventually pay my bill but continued taking cold showers). As a matter of fact I once stayed in a household full of sick people, shaking hands, hugging and kissing, and I was the only who didn't get sick, even though I had the worst medical history of all of them.
Ever since, I've been taking cold showers exclusively. I've varied it now so that I start out with a hot shower, then halfway through I flip to cold water until my body temperature gets to the point where the water stops feeling cold and starts feeling refreshing. What this does is it promotes the flow of blood throughout your whole body, first by forcing the blood out of your organs to your skin (that's why your skin looks red-ish), then the cold water sends them rushing back into your vital organs. The amount of energy you gain is incredible, try it, you won't be sorry! Not to mention its better for your posture, & cures back pain.
Anyways, point is that showering with cold water everyday fools your body into thinking that you are about to get sick, so your immune system gets triggered and is prepared for any virus or microbes coming your way for the rest of the day.
I find it sad and ironic, that I've wasted thousands upon thousands of dollars going to doctors, taking medication, trying everything so that I can live a normal life without fearing something as trivial as a little WIND, having to spend 60-70 days a year in bed recovering, and the answer was as simple as a cold shower!
I don't understand why this isn't common knowledge. The answer isn't to try and cure diseases, it is prevention. Simple prevention.
In contrast, hot showers are so bad for you I'm surprised there are no awareness campaigns against them. Hot showers cause depression, bad posture, back pain, lowering of the immune system, low energy, they are horrible for your skin as they dry it out completely and makes your skin looser and makes you look older, its bad for your hair as it also dries it out and makes it weak and brittle...
In life there are few things that are for sure. Love, Reltionships, Religion, god, the future, the stock market....
But now, as silly as this sounds. the only sure thing in my life is a cold shower every morning!"
10/07/2011: Bipbip from Budapest, Hungary replies: "Let's be serious!Hydrotherapy wasn't invented by the East, and not all people use all the day heavy synthetic drugs in the West. Moreover, in some situations you must use those heavy drugs to save your life. Even the "Easterners" know this, because they have adopted the "Western" medicine that has saved millions of life. Let's keep ourselves on the middle of the road."
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[YEA] 02/28/2007: Marc from Toronto, Canada writes: "I've been suffering from anxiety and depression for years, and recently I've started to get panic attacks. I finally got motivated to start researching my problem on my own because I've discovered that doctors (at least the ones I've been too) are useless.
I've discovered a lot of useful information on this website, but what really caught my eye is the cold shower therapy. I've never taken a cold shower in my life so I tried it today. Honestly, I've never felt so great. I don't know what it did to me, but I got a terrible fit of the giggles that lasted half an hour. I feel a lot better, and motivated, which is rare for me especially in the morning. I'll keep it up and see what else happens, but I definitely recommend trying it, for whatever reason. And Thank You for this great website!"
Replies[YEA] 02/21/2009: Igor from Moscow, Russia replies: "Dear Earth Clinic,
Thank you for this excellent forum on cold water therapy. I had an anxiety which seemed to 'come from nowhere'. Cold baths work on this much better than cold showers. Also swimming in the sea or lakes. There is a tradition of doing this in Russia and also northern China: but in modern times people think it is madness. In this time of credit crunch (2009) this is a practice which everyone can afford.
I have a question to people on this forum: what about time? I do it for 1-4 minutes, 2 times a day, before and after sleeping, every day, as my uncle showed me, like the brushing of the teeth. (The washing with warm water and soap I do before or after this: it seems not to matter which.) It seems that a longer time is not beneficial at all. So I am interested to know other people's ideas about timing.
Another question: I work sometimes in Arabia where it is very hot in the Summer times. There is no problem to make a bath of water, but it is not very cold. So do people know of any device/machine which can be put in a bath to make the water cold? Putting ice from the fridge is OK but this method needs a lot of ice.
Kind regards,
Igor."
06/01/2009: Lavina from Lake Jackson, TX replies: "I live in texas and in the summer months there is often no cold water in the taps. I am sure several people have this problem. May i suggest buying one of those basic camping showers that come with a hose and hanging bag. You can put the bag in the fridge every night before bed and have an ice cold shower for the morning. Most of them have some sort of hook so you can hang it right on your shower head."
10/06/2009: Jared from Melbourne, Austrailia replies: "If you need to keep water cool, you could use an aquarium cooler in the bath. Its used to keep water temperature low for cold water fish."
09/20/2010: Ella from Loon Lake, Washington, Usa replies: "Dear Igor from Russia, I have done hot and cold showers for many years. I have found that 3 minutes hot to 1 minute cold is just about right. Do this at least 3 times and each time increase the hot and then increase the cold. You will be surprised how much hotter and how much colder you can go. I aways end with cold and go at least 3 to 4 minutes longer on the last cold. You will feel amazing! When you are sore from working out or working hard, do the hot and cold, most of the time you will have no soreness when you are through. The hot opens the vessels and lets the blood flow freely and then the cold constricts the vessels and pushes all the old blood and toxins out, replacing it with fresh oxygenated blood, so you want to do this a few times to get all the pain causing toxins out. When ever you take a cold shower you want to do a few times of hot and cold to get the most benefit out of it. I hope this is helpful."
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[YEA] 08/31/2006: Roxanne from Miami, FL writes: "I took my first cold shower today, after reading about cold shower benefits on your website. It really does feel good! I was a little scared and started with lukewarm water. Brought it down as most as I could tolerate it. But man, the other people are right - it really does give you a ton of energy! I suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and this shower seemed to my anxiety in check. Thank you!"
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[YEA] 03/30/2006: Chris from Kennewick, WA writes: "Hey! John from Arlington, TX, howdy. I thought "I" invented this cure for panic attacks. ;)"
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[YEA] John from Arlington, TX writes: "I started taking cold showers after I developed panic disorder, general anxiety disorder, and moderate depression. Cold showers have been the best distraction out of any other distraction to get a panic attack to go away. It feels so good when I take a cold shower that it is like an addiction to me. I feel instant gratification both physically and mentally when I take cold showers. They our the best to get rid of negative thoughts, minor physical pains from within the body, fear from a panic attack, and anger. At first I tense my muscles together so I can get use to it and then I let them un tense and let the water flow and it feels so great. Also I feel that my body is working better and I am a lot more alert and awake. I always feel like I am regenerated afterwards no matter how much I am going through. It is an intense body high. I would recommend this to anyone who suffers from anxiety, depression, or addiction problems. Remember when you take any of these three away you need to replace them with something else and cold showers is a great safe alternative that works wonders!"
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CHINESE MEDICINE
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10/08/2007: Richard from Toronto, Canada writes: "I have a diploma in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine and just thought that I would share some Chinese medicine theory with you. According to Chinese medicine, one way to remove bad energy (Chi), also known as anything that ails you--pain, fatigue, insomnia, headaches etc--one way is using cold showers. It forces the blood (a mixture of good and bad energy) to rise to the skin, and the bad energy (toxins) goes out (similar in theory to heat transfer); accelerated breathing due to the cold water pulls "good Chi" in, and a person feels rejuvinatated afterwards. As far as better skin, hair, breathing, etc, in Chinese medicine, the "channel" that contains the lungs also contains the skin and hair. The Lung Channel is the first line of defense against illness, therefore, anything that "tonifies", or strengthens, the Lung Channel also strengthens the immune systems; the strength of which is demonstrated by the condition of the skin and hair. Cold showers, used properly, are a tonic for the entire body."
Replies03/11/2009: Chris from crip52@hotmail.com, Alberta Canada replies: "You wrote, "Cold showers, used properly, are a tonic for the entire body." Sould you please elaborate more on how to use them properly? Thanks, Chris"
03/12/2009: Linda from York County, Maine replies: "Hi Chris....I've done a little cold showering and I'm not as dedicated as a lot of folks, but I like to start with a warm (not hot) shower in order to wash up...also, I haven't used soap in ever so long and haven't missed it, just scrub really well with a shower brush...once I'm finished washing, I turn the water just a little colder for a couple of minutes exposing my pulse points to the cooler water first, then allowing the rest of my body to be bathed in the cooler water...after 2 or 3 minutes, the water begins to feel not so cold - kind of like going swimming in the lake - once the water feels warmer, I turn it another notch colder for 2 or 3 more minutes, etc. until I feel like getting out of the shower. I read that it takes 3 minutes for our blood to completely circulate through our bodies; I have no set time that I stay in the shower but always feel really good afterward. When I do this in the evening, the boost in my circulation energizes me enough to finish my bedtime routine, get into some warm jammies and enjoy a good night's sleep!"
[YEA] 08/31/2011: Dave Murray from Derby, Uk replies: "I recall reading that part of the Spartan regime at Gordonstoun School in Scotland is/was cold showers. HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh attended this school and he has recently reached his 90th year. The cold showers haven't done him any harm have they! As for me, I have just discovered them. Kind people have given me a shower head, curtain etc so it's only cost me a few pounds to make my cold shower. It's great!"
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COLD BATHS
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01/23/2012: Srividhya from Chennai, Tamilnadu/india writes: "Thank you for the useful article given for woman's not to take cold shower during menstruation. Good message! Why do getting sneezing, nose destroy after taking bath in cold water for few minutes? Did taking cold water bath immediately after an exercise is good for health? Taking cold water bath will keep the body physical and mentally active?"
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[YEA] 10/05/2010: Yggdrasil from Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway writes: "I live in Norway, and was delighted to read all the feedback on cold baths and showers. Through my job, I had access to a cabin on the ocean, and bathed during the summertime (17-18 Celsius). I felt great afterwords(hot shower to wash the salt off). On a dare, we swam later and later into the fall, swimming until the water was 12C, and always getting an incredibly invigorating experience. It became the absolute highlight of every trip to the cabin! I thought this was all to do with the ocean, for some reason, and it never occurred to me that a cold shower or bath would give me the same results! It is exactly as described here by so many: I swam around until I didn't feel cold anymore, then stayed until I started to feel chilled (arms start getting heavy in 12C! ). Then into the hot shower, and out again incredibly re-invigorated. What an interesting website!"
Replies10/05/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "It is Autumn here now but we keep the swimming pool running for a while longer so that we can have a swim during our sauna sessions (we have a little infra-red sauna in our garden). It is a bit of an effort at first but after a few minutes you don't feel the cold anymore. The second time around is even easier maybe because by then the circulation is flowing like mad. After we close the pool because of frost we will still leave the garden shower going for a while. Too bad when everything is gone but then we come inside to have our cold showers. Funny enough my allergies make me sneeze a lot with differences of temperature but never with this."
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[YEA] 01/27/2009: Tamara from Reading, Berkshire UK writes: "In the early 90's I took part in a trial of cold bath therapy. This consisted of taking a cold bath every morning and started off at 22 degrees C for 5 minutes and increasing the time and decreasing the temperature so that when one got to 14 degrees C one was immersed in the water for 20 minutes. That proved to be too long for me, but I did manage 14 degrees for 10 minutes and I must say, having done the therapy for a period of 6 months, I felt extraordinarily well on it. I have now decided to resume it and, having done my first 5 minutes in 22 degrees this morning, am feeling really rather well!
The therapy was thought out by a Pakistani physician here in the UK initially as a cure for Asthma and then ME. I have however lost all reference to him and the therapy and would be grateful if someone knows anything and would care to share! Happy cold bathing!"
RepliesEC: FYI, 22 C is about 72 F.
06/14/2009: Joe from Brisbane, Australia replies: "Funny you mentioning this asian fellow. I still have the cut out from the original telegraph /times (?) article in my lockbox at home. I can scan it for you."
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[YEA] 12/26/2008: Leon from Wichita, Kansas writes: "I am taking cold baths now. I feel there is a better difference between the bath and the shower. For me the cold bath helps me to better recover from the night's sleep. My routine of starting my day is easier when I take baths than showers. While the bathwater's running, I can irrigate my nasal passages, wash my face, and play my music. I still get all the benefits of cold showers, but in a different way. I have more energy than taking the shower, and the energy lasts all day. 12 inches of water in my tub is not all possible but I do fill up. I am so happy about cold baths because they work."
Replies11/27/2009: Rach01 from Newport, Gwent, Uk replies: "Hi there, I have just come across this site whilst looking up the health benefits of cold showers/baths. The only reason I thought to do this is because there is a New Years Day swim in the sea in freezing temperatures and seeing as a woman of 80 does this every year and is as fit as a fiddle I thought I would see if there was any health benefits. I am amazed at everyone's comments and now can't wait to start having my own cold shower experience. I have noticed a few people have mentioned nasal irrigation and washing their nasal passage etc and was wondering if someone could explain how to do this and what the benefits are?
Many thanks"
11/28/2009: Sheena from Glasgow, Scotland replies: "I can only recommend nasal irrigation (haven't tried cold showers). I first tried it when my ears & nose became blocked after a cold and it worked. My guess is that it clears out excess gunk in your tubes, and maybe also reduces inflammation to help you breathe more easily.
Some folk use a neti pot (which is designed specifically for this purpose), but I just used a small water bottle which had a nozzle that would fit up your nose. Dissolve a small amount (quarter to half a teaspoon) of good sea salt in warm water. Then top this up with cold so that you have a decent amount for the flush (say a third of a 500ml bottle) and that the water is just slightly warm.
With your head over a sink and tilted to one side you pour the solution up one nostril and the aim is to get the liquid to pour out of the other nostril. When you first do this it might take a little getting used to, it's a strange sensation. If it goes down your throat a little don't worry, it's only salt water, but bend over the sink more and tilt your head further until it comes out of your nostril instead."
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[YEA] 02/22/2008: Kenneth from Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire UK writes: "Forget all about cold showers! Much too brutal. Cold water baths are the thing but then only early in the morning and before the brain is in gear & knows what is happening. You run the cold water bath tap whilst brushing your teeth & washing your face.This gives you a perfect 12 inches of water to which you add some good quality lavender lotion. Then it's in you go, feet first folloiwed by the bottom. A good sponge down of the torso follows. Then stand up & soap the forked bit. After this lie down slowish until everything but the head is submerged. ( At this point I say my morning prayers). A final sponge down completes the process & you step out of the tub feeling taut, fit & very self-righteous having been no more than about 3 minutes in the bath. I've been doing this for nearly 25 years now & am healthy & fit as a fiddle."
Replies12/27/2008: Leon from Wichita, Kansas replies: "You're right cold showers are brutal. 12 inches of bath water, my bathtub isn't big enough for that. What I do is fill up my bath and while the water's running, I get my clothes ready, water my nose and then I get in after it's filled up. I try to keep the cold water comfortable and not frigid."
06/20/2009: Leon from Wichita, Kansas replies: "Now I feel the cold showers are not brutal if you do not turn the shower full blast. A gentle cold shower works just fine. I just now found out. But I do not feel as exhilerated from the bath as from the shower. So I am back to taking showers again."
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[NAY] 09/01/2007: Doris from Murfreesboro, Tennessee writes: "To answer Araeshkigal from Hurst, TX regarding cold baths. I took one several years ago because I heard it would help the immune system. Well, I got the flu and missed work for a week. I haven't tried the cold showers yet. I'm afraid I'll get sick again."
Replies07/05/2008: Matt from Murfreesboro, TN replies: "You can't get the flu from being cold, whether the coldness was induced by bath or shower; hence the influenza "virus.""
12/27/2008: Leon from Wichita, Kansas replies: "I have never had the flu from taking cold baths. It is almost impossible. With nasal irrigation along with cold baths, you are less likely to get a cold, much less the flu."
12/27/2008: Jane from Los Angeles, Ca replies: "I think that the shock to the system can weaken an already weakened immune system. This is what happened to me one day when I went to a Korean spa in K-town. Except I went from dunking for 5 minutes in the mugwort tea pool (amazing but about 105 Farenheit) to the cold pool and plunged in. I almost fainted from the dizziness. It was not a smart thing to do. Any rate, the next day I had a terrible flu. Drastic temperature fluctuations are not healthy to the body I reckon."
07/19/2010: Shaq from Raleigh, North Carolina replies: "I think that is because you were in a foreign country maybe its ironic because everyone else that posted has been fine. Also it's possible that you already had the flu. It can take days before the symptoms of the flu start to show. And please explain to me EXACTLY how a cold bath can weaken the immune system."
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[YEA] 02/16/2007: Araeshkigal from Hurst, TX writes: "I first started taking cold showers as a suggested remedy for migraines. It more than worked. It also helped alleviate skin breakouts, regular muscle cramping, and some blood pressure issues (I changed nothing else in diet or exercise to be sure this was what was having the effects) I find it's best to start barely warm and slowly get to cold. If you can't stand ice cold at first just go "on the cool side" till you get a tolerance. You don't have to *freeze* to get the benefits. Also I find cold baths do *not* have the same therapeutic effect as cold showers (anyone else?) "
Replies[YEA] 04/17/2009: Leon from Wichita, Ks replies: "Actually I find that cold baths have a more soothing effect on my body than cold showers and I don't have to have it frigid cold and I get the same benefits."
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COLD SHOWER FEEDBACK
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10/10/2010: Jay Cowley from Nyc, Ny writes: "I have done ice cold swims in health spas they do stimulate for hours. But.... Reports on web warn of increase in blood pressure heartbeat possible heart attack!!! I have a bit of high blood pressure and this could be a cure or a ??? Could cold showers be serious problem???"
Replies10/11/2010: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "We also take cold showers after the sauna or have a short swim in cold water. Is it good or is it bad? For me what counts is what I see like for example people in Scandinavian countries who have done it all their lives, till a very old age and seem to be very fit. I tell my husband not to swim in the cold water if I am not around though, I think that there should be someone around just in case something goes wrong. My mother in law who is in her 80's used to take cold baths and loved it till one of her daughters told her she had to stop. She still talks about it quite often and is sad she is not allowed to take them anymore. I suppose everything can kill you..... You can even die while walking but does that mean that you shouldn't go for a walk? I would say that there is enough evidence that cold and hot is good for the health but I can't tell you that it is good for absolutely everyone or that nothing will ever go wrong! Maybe the best thing is to listen to your body! Asking your doctor won't help, I suppose as if he agrees with it he will say yes, if he doesn't he will say no."
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[YEA] 03/22/2010: Lorica from New Albany, Indian writes: "I think that if one is hypoadrenal - as I am - or unknowingly at risk for that, one should procede with caution on cold showers to avoid taxing the adrenals. This is also for people who just don't like cold water!
This is what works for me to make the whole experience kind of pleasant instead of shocking to my system.
It helps to have a hand held hose with a spray. If not, I guess one could modify this approach. I start with one foot at a time, spraying it. Very quickly the cold does not bother me there. It seems to help to get the strong spray very close to the skin, as a kind of massage & blood stimulation agent, then spray quickly back and forth one section at a time, working one's way up the legs this way as much as feels comfrotable.
Once you past the thighs, the skin becomes more sensitive to the cold water. What can help is to first hand splash some of the cold water on the next area to get the cold spray, or use a washcloth to get the cold water there. It's amazing how much more easy it then becomes to not flinch with the spray following. As someone else said, don't forget to get the arm pits and all those nerves there.
For some reason once I have sprayed all my body up to my neck, when I lean over to spray my head it doesn't bother me at all, but feels good. Oh, pre preparations: First, if you have a space heater, use it in the bathroom! Get the room a little uncomfortably hot even. Have some cayenne pepper in something like yogurt to cool it down (wonderful stuff for your health - tho it might cause you to start seeing "white rice" in your stools, i.e. tapeworm segments, which means you gotta do a parasite cleanse).
Do some light exercises. Yes, slick your face & neck especially with your favorite oily moisturizer. I use plain ol' olive oil w/essential oils that are good for the skin. For me anyway, the face gets dry from cold showers but the rest of my body does not, if I don't just some oil before & after.
If you really, really don't wanna take a cold shower or health prevents it, you can modify with cold packs. You know those old fashioned ice packs for the head, neck wraps, etc. If you don't have the resources, you can make your own cold packs with freezer bags stuffed with cotton pads placed in a sock & put in the freezer. Putting cold packs simultanaeously on the head, down the spine, under the arm pits, under the feet, down the abdomen, can make one feel similar to taking a cold shower, tho it is not quite as invigorating or powerful against depression."
01/29/2011: Candace from Indianapolis, In replies: "What is this about cayenne? Does this raise the metabolism? How much are you using for this?"
[YEA] 03/12/2011: Earthy from Dearborn, Mi replies: "Ok this is amazing this totally works I had horible stomach pain and then I took a cold shower and then felt tottaly better and even more amazing in the muslims book ( quaran ) it says to the prophet jacob to wash himself with cold water."
03/13/2011: M from Nyc, Ny replies: "Religion had nothing to do with your cure. A natural remedy did. We are all one with the earth."
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[YEA] 01/22/2010: George from Cherry Hill, Nj writes: "Alright so I really need to tell people this because I can scarcely believe it myself. Over the past few years I've had a few stomach ulcers and I've suffered from leaky gut syndrome, because of this I've developed allergies to all manor of things including cellulose in most supplements in pills and magnesium stearate and by allergies I mean if it came in contact with my skin it would start to become raw and inflamed even if I just put it under my tongue so this severely limited me from even trying most supplements to help my ulcer and leaky gut issue.Also and again this is hard to believe but I have no reason to lie to you I started developing allergies to bottled water and water from fountain soda machines, I could only drink water filtered or non filtered from a home filtering device. If I did consume these things my throat immediately swelled and my stomach ulcers burned. Over the past year or so I've learned to live with these things but I cant say its been easy. Although now my leaky gut has been remedied through a strict diet I adhered to and my ulcers are better my allergies to these things remained.
I started taking cold showers about a month ago now and at first I just stayed with cold, I enjoyed this but sometimes it would cause my stomach to become inflammed, I'm not sure why but it wasn't pleasant. Now I alternate hot and cold a few times then end on cold for 100 seconds. Now to why I'm writing this, my allergies and stomach issues are almost completely remedied!!! I just did a test with a supplement made out of fruit and it had magnesium stearate in it and no burning under the tongue no redness or irritation and after five minutes I swallowed and guess what almost no reaction at all. The same goes with liquids from fountain machines!I drank from one yesterday for the first time in I cant even remember with no reaction. I plan on continuing this and the way things are going I think I will be free of allergies within the next month or so! This site is truly one of the best things that has ever happened to me I'm slowly gaining my old life back and for that I am truly truly thankful. To think all it took was some cold water."
Replies02/04/2010: Donald from Battle Creek, Mi replies: "COLD SHOWERS CAN HEAL SOME PEOPLE - BUT WHY?
BECAUSE OXYGEN HEALS.
Cold water has more oxygen in it than hot water and the oxygen is absorbed through the skin into the body. After a hot shower, finished off with cold water to obtain oxygen and close the pores of the skin.
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From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen#Physical_properties
Oxygen is the most abundant chemical element, by mass, in our biosphere, air, sea and land. Oxygen is the third most abundant chemical element in the universe, after hydrogen and helium.[1] About 0.9% of the Sun's mass is oxygen.[3] Oxygen constitutes 49.2% of the
Earth's crust by mass[2] and is the major component of the world's oceans (88.8% by mass).[3] Oxygen gas is the second most common component of the Earth's atmosphere, taking up 21.0% of its volume and 23.1% of its mass (some 1015 tonnes).[3][36][37]
Earth is unusual among the planets of the Solar System in having such a high concentration of oxygen gas in its atmosphere: Mars (with 0.1% O2 by volume) and Venus have far lower concentrations. However, the O2 surrounding these other planets is produced solely by ultraviolet radiation impacting oxygen-containing molecules such as carbon dioxide.
World map showing that the sea-surface oxygen is depleted around the equator and increases towards the poles. Cold water holds more dissolved O2.
The unusually high concentration of oxygen gas on Earth is the result of the oxygen cycle. This biogeochemical cycle describes the movement of oxygen within and between its three main reservoirs on Earth: the atmosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere.
The main driving factor of the oxygen cycle is photosynthesis, which is responsible for modern Earth's atmosphere. Photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere, while respiration and decay remove it from the atmosphere. In the present equilibrium, production and consumption occur at the same rate of roughly 1/2000th of the entire atmospheric oxygen per year.
Free oxygen also occurs in solution in the world's water bodies. The increased solubility of O2 at lower temperatures (see Physical properties) has important implications for ocean life, as polar oceans support a much higher density of life due to their higher oxygen content.[38]
Polluted water may have reduced amounts of O2 in it, depleted by decaying algae and other biomaterials (see eutrophication). Scientists assess this aspect of water quality by measuring the water's biochemical oxygen demand, or the amount of O2 needed to restore it to a normal concentration.
[39]
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Donald Ballard"
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[YEA] 12/29/2009: Charlie from Biloxi, Ms writes: "I have been forced to take cold showers this winter because my underground gas line collapsed to my house and I can't afford to get it fixed. I have been taking a cold shower every mornig and night for almost three months and let me tell u it is brutal. However, my skin has never looked better and I have not had a blackhead or acne since I started taking the cold showers. I love it. I may never take another hot shower again."
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[YEA] 12/28/2009: Daniel from Blackwood, Nj writes: "So I started taking cold showers about a week ago and I've already noticed a few effects. First I have much more energy which is helpful in my day to day life. On top of that I've had problems with a sore stomach that I've been trying to heal with limited success for awhile now and within a week it feels so much better now I can hardly believe how well and how fast its working. I also have noticed that my digestive complaints have much improved, I've had intestinal inflammation which has been helped with exercise to a degree but after taking cold showers its seemed to disappear and my evacuations are quick easy and complete. I've also developed minor food intolerance's over the past few years and almost immediately they decreased considerably I hope with time they will go away completely. I've also had great luck with an almost complete reduction in muscle soreness after my workouts by taking a cold shower right after I'm done. Overall after the first week I have to say I'm hooked and I cant wait to see what other benefits I gain from this. As for why it works I cant say completely but I'm going to assume at least for my stomach and intestinal issues it was from the increased amount of blood that made its way into my organs which facilitated healing. As for the other things who knows but I know its doing something!"
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[YEA] 12/26/2009: Ed from Newfield, Maine, Usa writes: "I have been reading this site for over a year and started taking cold showers (CS) right after. this info may help. first I take my CS at 5am i set my alarm and wake up every morning just for my CS. after i go back to bed to warm up. i do this because after some time in bed my body is warm all over. no cold hands, feet, other body parts. next i do as many pushups as i can. i think this is very important the body core temp up and makes the CS much more easy to take this gets my hart and breathing rate up. Just before this i turn the shower to full hot. after exercise i turn the shower to cool and get in and soap up. after 30 seconds i turn it colder then another 30 and turn it full cold. i try to stay in the coldest water for 5-8 minuets. i turn alot to get front and back. in winter my water gets down to 53f.
I wish more people would say what water temp they use. I seem to be more into this in winter than other times.
a few times i want the water to be even colder so i will take in a bucket of ice or snow water and after my CS i will pore it over myself as i lie in the tub. one more thing, i would like to know about others but for me i find i must have a high sex drive for this after sex i am not in the mood for a CS for 2-3 days then i am good until i have sex. i am 55. i live in a very cold area and the CS helps me deal with the cold weather.edhunter@myfairpoint.net"
Replies01/01/2010: Ed from Newfield, Maine, Usa replies: "two things i forgot in my last post. first im not a fat person just a few pounds overweight from time to time. I find when i take the cold showers i lose about a pound every 5-6 days this works every time and the weight stays off as long as i keep up the cold showers 2 -3 times per week. also many of you have talked about cold baths and i wanted to try them but i thought it would be too shocking. i have an old claw foot tub in the basement i put a hard rubber plug in it and filled it with water and let it sit over night. it got down to 54deg F as i said i find cold treatments better right out of bed when my body is warm all over, i was able to do 42 pushups and got in. This old tub has high sides so i was able to fill it with 16 in of water enough to cover my whole body. This is very different from a shower as the cold water hits every part of your body at the same time. also there is no way to adjust from cool to cold its just ice cold right from the start. I lay down with the water right up to my neck. I thought i would die but i forced myself to stay in and after about 15 seconds i able to stand it i found if i did not move too much it was not so bad. i stayed in for 2 minutes and i did feel wonderful after. also my real email is (edhunter45@myfairpoint.net )i would like to talk with others about this and for mutual motovation and discipline."
02/03/2010: Ed from Newfield, Maine replies: "Two more things i forgot to mention. I find it is very help full if you can watch a clock with a sweep second hand. i try to set times like i will try to stay in for 5 minuets and watch the clock to make sure i stay that long at that point i will tell myself try to stay in for another 30 seconds and then another 30 sometimes i do minuets the clock really helps a lot try it.
Also i find that my private parts get very cold and painful very fast so i got a tight rubber thong. i wear it now for every shower and it works great and i can stay in much longer. ed. edhunter45@myfairpoint .net."
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11/02/2009: Tee from Chicago, Il writes: "I take cold showers everday but I noticed that I dont get the same feeling like I use to. Its almost winter here so the water is definitely cold. I don't get the warm tingly feeling anymore. Am I doing something wrong?"
Replies03/29/2010: Tom from New Orleans, La replies: "If your body is giving in to being cold rather than warming up, then you should try taking a hot shower first, or splashing yourself first, and/or make some deliberate effort to resist the cold ie. tightening your muscles."
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