In the hot summer, many people take cold showers to get rid of the heat and believe that this can make their skin and body healthier. So does taking cold showers really have any benefits for us? Let's find out together.
[Improves the Function of the Nervous System]
Cold showers are a strong, beneficial stimulus that can enhance the excitability of the central nervous system, leading to increased activity in various systems of the body. It can also improve overall blood circulation and metabolism, delivering more oxygen to brain cells, which helps eliminate brain fatigue, uplifts the mood, and creates a sense of fullness.
[Promotes Healthy and Beautiful Skin]
Cold showers can enhance the supply of nutrients to the skin and subcutaneous tissues, increase sebum secretion, and give the skin a rosy, shiny, and elastic appearance, making it less prone to skin diseases. Health tip: Cold showers are not suitable for everyone. Cold showers should not be taken on an empty stomach, immediately after meals, or after intense exercise. They should be avoided by those with open wounds, weak constitution, or fever. In addition, people with cold water allergies, severe hypertension, coronary heart disease, rheumatism, tuberculosis, or sciatica should also avoid cold showers.
[Prevents Colds]
Regular exposure to cold water stimulates muscle tension and contraction, which triggers a rapid defensive response in the body, thereby enhancing the body's ability to adapt to temperature changes and strengthening the immune function, which can help prevent respiratory infections such as the common cold.
[Enhances Cardiovascular Function]
When the body is exposed to cold water, the blood vessels on the surface of the skin contract sharply, causing a large amount of blood to flow to the internal organs, increasing the blood supply to the viscera. In order to resist the cold, the blood vessels on the skin will quickly dilate, causing a large amount of blood to flow back to the surface of the body, resulting in redness of the skin. The expansion and contraction of blood vessels can increase their elasticity. Therefore, cold showers are often referred to as "vascular exercises". It has been proven that cold showers help prevent hypertension, maintain normal metabolism, reduce fat accumulation and cholesterol deposition on blood vessel walls, and prevent arteriosclerosis.
[Boosts Immune System]
Research has found that people who take cold showers every day have more antiviral white blood cells in their blood compared to those who take hot showers. Experts believe that cold showers promote metabolism. This may be because the body activates the immune system to keep warm, thus releasing white blood cells.
[Promotes Blood Circulation]
Good blood circulation is crucial for overall heart and blood vessel health. Having healthy blood circulation can help you recover from fatigue quickly after intense exercise. Alternating cold and hot water during showering is an easy method to improve blood circulation. After taking a cold shower to warm up the internal organs, a large amount of blood flows to the organs. Warm water has the opposite effect, promoting blood flow to the surface of the skin. Compared to warm water showers, cold showers stimulate the circulatory system, making people healthier and appear younger.
It is best to take cold showers in the morning, as the body is energized after a night of sleep and has a stronger ability to adapt to cold water.
