Okay I know this sounds like torture, a cold shower, are you serious?
I first heard about “the cold shower” therapy back in college. I played soccer in college and after every game and practice we had to sit in an ice bath. We would put booties on our feet so our toes didn’t get frostbit and have to sit in an ice bath for 8 mins. I am not going to lie, I dreaded it, I do not like to be cold. But we did it to help our muscles recover faster.
As the years went by, I never really thought about it again until I read Superhuman by David Asprey a few years ago, he recommends taking a cold shower for a minute every day, in his research, it has been shown to stimulate the creation of new, healthy cells, as well as reduce inflammation and burn fat. He also states by doing this you will have more energy all day long and can help you sleep better.
I am not going to lie, after reading this book I was still not “excited” enough to take the cold shower even with the benefits. Again, I do not like being cold.
Now that I started Phase 1 of the Live Hard program, one task I have to do every day is a 5 min shower for 30 days. I literally did three rounds of 75Hard (75 days each) instead of moving to Phase 1 just because of the cold shower that is how much I did not want to do it!
So, before I start this phase I wanted to research more benefits so that I could “convince” myself to suck it up and do it.
Here are two important skills a cold shower helps develop:
- It creates willpower and discipline- I don’t know anyone who wants to take a cold shower so it teaches discipline and strengthens your willpower. In Life if you want to achieve anything, you need willpower. We know this, many people believe that willpower/ discipline is something you’re either born with or you’re not, but that is not true it’s a skill that is learned.
- Tolerance- It helps you get comfortable being uncomfortable. A skill many people need to learn, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Here is a lists of proven scientifically proven health benefits:
- Increases Energy and Alertness
- Stimulate Fat Loss
- Speed Up Metabolism
- Increase Testosterone
- Improve Skin & Hair
- Improve Blood Circulation
- Improve Immune Function
- Improve Muscle Recovery
- Improve Sleep
Now that you know the benefits here are some tips I have for you:
- Take the cold shower after a workout when you are already hot and sweaty, for me when I run I sweat a lot and my body is usually very warm so jumping in the cold shower doesn’t seem to be as bad.
- I bought a Bluetooth speaker for my shower, best $15 I have spent! I found a 5 mins song that helps me get through the 5 mins….the Eminem song “Lose Yourself” is 5:27min long so I start the song and get in the shower, sing to it and when it’s over I turn the shower back to a hot shower. https://www.amazon.com/SB510-Resistant-Bluetooth-Handsfree-Speakerphone/dp/B00IN2S072/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3ESJ7B0GPZ4X4&keywords=speaker+for+the+shower&qid=1651585664&sprefix=speaker+for+the+shoer%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-3
- I have not done this yet but there is a breathing method they suggest you do while in the cold shower called the Wim Hof Method check out his website for more information. https://www.wimhofmethod.com/
- Another approach that people use is to take their normal shower, wash your hair and body, and then when you are done turn it to cold.
Okay it’s time for you to try it! Start with 60 seconds and increase it to longer as you learn to tolerate it more. Let me know when you try it and if you feel the difference!