From Hot to Cold...

By Julie Beebe at HelloLife

I find myself always looking for ways to improve my well being. Whether it’s a new workout, a different diet, or natural remedy that enhance my well being I am always on the lookout. The thing I was really looking for was a natural way to rid myself of the stretch marks that make me self-conscious. While I didn’t find what I was looking for there I found another remedy that interests me. According to many sites this will improve immunity, skin and overall well- being. It is very easy and not costly, may even save money in my case. But the thought of it makes me cringe.

So, I decided to try it! So what is it?? Cold showers… yep in the MI winter that is coming upon us I am going to start taking cold showers. Believe me this is a huge deal for me, I am constantly cold and love to take the hottest shower I can handle. It turns out that taking cold showers may actually help me be warmer throughout the day, keep my skin more hydrated, as well as boost my immune system. Which with four kids is constantly being tested I am sure.

The cold shower causes hormesis. Hormesis, is a favorable biological response from low exposures to toxins or other stressors. The favorable response cold water can have on your well being stems from the thermogenesis (internal generation of body heat), response it elicits from the body. This causes you to be more capable of handling stress both emotionally and physically. I have seen this response in myself through the workouts I do, so I am convinced this will have a good effect.

I am looking forward to doing this on a regular basis. Today was day one of the shower, I will be honest I was quite a chicken. I started with a warm, not hot, shower and turned it down for a few minutes at the end. I did start to get the feeling of my body temperature changing but I think the way I did it, did not elicit the response I wanted. I think that tomorrow I start with the cold shower and go from there. By the end of this week I am sure I will be able to decide if it helps or not. I will keep you posted!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormesis

http://gettingstronger.org/2010/03/cold-showers/

http://earthclinic.com/Remedies/showers.html

http://www.jasonshen.com/2011/taking-cold-showers/

http://www.secrets-of-longevity-in-humans.com/cold-showers.html

6 Comments

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sprouty
I find that colder showers make me feel warmer all day, so maybe you'll like that effect. You'll have to figure out what temperature of cold you can handle. When I lived in town, the water coming through the pipes in the winter was very cold, colder than I could handle in the winter. Now that I have my own well, the coldest water I can get is about 55 degrees, which is really not that bad.
Commented on HelloLife November 15 2011 at 12:09 pm
Erin Froehlich
How interesting! Who would have thought?!
Commented on HelloLife November 15 2011 at 12:40 pm
Dayton
this is insanity I tells ya! but I might give it a try.....I just love my warm shower soo much!!
Commented on HelloLife November 15 2011 at 2:43 pm
sprouty
I will say that I prefer a warm shower after working outside in the summer. Cold is just too much then, plus I feel warm after the cold shower... not what I want! Sometimes when I wake up on a really cold morning, I'll start out with a lukewarm shower and keep turning the temp down until it's all the way cold.

Think about how much money you'll save on hot water!
Commented on HelloLife November 15 2011 at 3:39 pm
Bri Luginbill
Cold showers can be great. I took them when I was in Latin America. It cuts down on the heating bill and it cuts down on how long you are in the shower, which helps the water bill. And is a mroe green lifestyle by cutting down on water usage. I actually enjoyed taking cold showers if it was hot outside...especially in 90+ degrees and humidity. :)

BUT I will admit, I am a chicken when it comes to taking cold showers if it's cold outside. It's much easier when a cold shower serves as a break from the heat!
Commented on HelloLife November 16 2011 at 7:31 am
Julie Beebe at HelloLife
well it was not so bad but I will say I have to start warm then go cold.. This weekend will be the real test!!

Commented on HelloLife November 16 2011 at 11:54 am