Reduce Inflammation With Ice Baths
Athletes have been using ice baths for a long time to help decrease the chance of inflammation, which may lead to muscle soreness after an intense workout. For anxiety, a cold shower may yield similar benefits in terms of inflammation in your body. When you experience a lot of stress, inflammatory values in your body increase. When using cold therapy for your anxiety, inflammation levels decrease. If you want to start with cold water therapy, you should begin by using cold water for just a small amount of time. For example, you can use cold water during the last minutes of a shower. After some practice, the period in which you use cold water can be extended. Taking a cold shower is also known to be meditative. This is because while showering, you temporarily take your mind off the things you might be worried or anxious about. The time in which you shower with cold water is the time to focus on your breath and calm yourself down.
Aids Weight Loss Efforts
Are cold showers good for you when you want to lose weight and keep it off? When practiced routinely, cold water immersion can boost your metabolism. Not only does cold water force your body to work harder to keep you warm burning calories in the process it also has an unexpected impact on the type of fat we produce.
According to a 2009 study, researchers found that taking a cold shower benefits weight loss by promoting healthy brown fat, which is the good fat our bodies generate to keep us warm. Brown fat is activated when exposed to extreme cold, and helps eliminate white fat, which is the body fat that piles up around our waistlines and thighs when we consume too many calories.
While cold water immersion is nota substitute for ahealthy dietandexercise routine, it does make an excellent supplement.
How Can Cold Showers Help With Anxiety
Researchers from University of Osaka found that cold water bathing had a beneficial effect in reducing the cortisol hormone. This usually kicks into action when stress and anxiety are taking over. Some studies show that it can improve our resilience to stress.
If you are still not convinced, watch the entertaining video on all the health benefits of taking cold showers . This should motivate you.
Recommended Reading: How Long Are Anxiety Attacks
Do Cold Showers Help Anxiety
By Robb | Last Updated
Oneof the best habits that I started in 2019 was taking Cold Showers daily.
Likepretty much any habit thats worthwhile, it was really hard at the start, butthe end result was so worth it.
Thanksto this habit, my skin is much clearer, my confidence is a lot higher and Imsleeping a lot, lot better.
Now,thinking back to when I was a low-esteem, self-conscious teen, my skin wasterrible, my confidence was lower than whale poop and my sleeping pattern wasall over the place.
Whichmakes me think If I started taking cold showers back in my teen days,would I have gotten over that anxious period any faster?
Welluntil I find a time machine, I guess Ill never really know.
Butwhat I can do is explore the relationship between cold showers and anxietybased on scientific research.
Whichis exactly what I did.
Justfor you.
Thatsright, below youll find a summary of the science surrounding cold showers andanxiety, with some of my thoughts and opinions added in.
Cold Showers Have Several Benefits For Overcoming A Hangover
- The first is that they raise your heart rate, increase circulation, and flush out toxins.
- As a result, they increase your bodys ability to tolerate alcohol and stress.
- This can make you less prone to depression and anxiety.
You should also take a shower at least 30 minutes after consuming alcohol. But a cold shower isnt enough to eliminate a hangover. If youre looking for a more long-term solution, take a warm bath instead.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Tested For Anxiety
Is It Good To Have Cold Showers Every Day
Yes, this is a practice you can incorporate into yourdaily routine. You will get better, faster results by taking a cold shower at a similar time each day, preferably in the morning. The cold shower will help wake you up and energize you for the day ahead, along with all the other benefits discussed here.
How Do You Manage Stress
Sometimes, therapy doesnt cut it and other measures need to be taken to reduce anxiety and stress. In order to reduce stress, though, you must first identify the stressors in your life. Once you identify these stressors, you can use different strategies to return your body to a relaxed state. One effective way to manage stress is through a combination of breathing techniques and immersion into cold water.
You May Like: How To Relieve Pms Anxiety
Introducing The Body To Cold Water
According to many scientific studies and anecdotal research, cold water therapy can help the body become more resistant to stress. In fact, exposing the body to cold water that is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit can help the body adapt to harsher conditions. Dr. Rhonda Patrick, founder of Found My Fitness, wrote a report on the how shocking the body in cold water immersion can positively affect the brain. The cold water helps to increase the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that calms you down, into the bloodstream. Increasing the amount of this hormone in the blood has been associated with improved focus, mood, immunity, and reduced inflammation, anxiety, and stress.
The Effects On Specific Symptoms Were:
- Irritability improved by 68%
- Doubting value of contribution improved by 47%
- Self Doubt improved by 29%
- Avoiding social situations improved by 29%
- Catastrophic thoughts improved by 55%
- Nervous Energy improved by 72%
- Apathy was unaffected with 0% change
- Joylessness was unaffected with 0% change
I was also more likely to report feeling Good, Relaxed, and Focused and was less likely to report symptoms of Insomnia despite my sleep quality and quantity not improving.
You May Like: Does Smoking Weed Cause Anxiety
Cold Showers Speed Up Muscle Recovery
If youre an athlete then you know that taking an ice bath after intense training is one of the best things you can do to recover faster.
But you dont need a high-tech training facility with cold water submersibles to be able to achieve these benefits. Just take a cold shower.
Although it wont be as effective as a fully submerged ice bath, it will improve circulation, and help remove some lactic acid. Try alternating between very hot and very cold to let the blood come and go to the surface. Your muscles will thank you.
How Cold Water Immersion Can Improve Mental Health
As the new year approaches, some brave souls will be participating in the annual polar bear swim on January 1st. While many consider this a one-off thrill, an increasing number of cold-water worshippers continue this habit throughout the year, motivated by both physical and mental health benefits. Diving into fresh water is one of those experiences that sure feels invigorating, but recent research is backing up this boost in mood.
Recommended Reading: Can Anxiety Be A Symptom Of Depression
How To Avoid A Hangover When Youre Already Drunk
The first thing to do when youve had a few drinks is to drink plenty of water. This will help your body rehydrate, which is a key ingredient to avoiding a hangover. If youre thirsty, try to stay hydrated with water and eat small snacks throughout the night. Food will slow down the absorption of alcohol. Stick to a routine and keep drinking in moderation. Aim to wake up at the same time every day, and exercise, no matter how uncomfortable youre feeling.
After a few drinks, try to limit yourself to one or two drinks. Experts recommend that you dont drink more than three drinks in a single sitting. The rule of thumb is to drink one drink every hour. This allows your body to process alcohol in a more efficient way. Besides, drinking water will help your body get back into the right frame of mind and avoid a hangover.
Drink plenty of water. Water is a great dehydrator and can also prevent dehydration, which can make your symptoms worse. Its also vital to get plenty of rest. A good nights sleep is essential to help your body recover. A lot of alcohol can impair your ability to function. Without adequate rest, you can feel irritable and fatigued.
Helps Fight Off Common Illnesses
Our bodies are designed to become resistant to the elements we are exposed to. For example, leukocytes help fight infection in the body. The shock of cold water in the bloodstream stimulates leukocytes. This means that taking cold showers can help your resistance to common illnesses, like colds and the flu.
One clinical trial in the Netherlands showed that people who took cold showers called out of work less.
People that are preparing for surgery or other disease treatment that could lead to decreased immunity might want to start taking cold showers in preparation.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Stress Anxiety And Depression
Theyll Improve Your Skin & Hair
If you are not motivated by feeling better, then be motivated by looking better.
One of the best ways to improve your skin is by taking cold showers. Plus its free!
According to certified Dermatologist Jessica Krant, ice-cold water can help our skin by preventing it from losing too many natural oils. And your hair gets the same benefit.
Along with that, one of the benefits of cold showers is how they will help your hair appear shiny, strong & healthy by keeping the follicles flat and increasing their grip on the scalp. This is great news for any of you guys who are scared of losing your hair!
Additional Resources:
Cold Showers Build Strong Will Power
Out of all the other articles out there, no one lists this as a positive of taking cold showers, but I personally think its the most important.
Cold showers build massive willpower.
Doing something you are so resistant to, every single day, right when you wake up, takes a lot of mental strength. And over time, this mental strength, and discipline will become an automated habit that echos into every area of your life.
This is why its a staple of our 30 Day Self Improvement Bootcamp on Menprovement X.
So do it!
Read Also: Can You Be Put On Disability For Anxiety
Benefits Of Cold Showers That Will Blow Your Mind
Have you ever been so relaxed in a nice hot shower, only to be blasted by what feels like sub-zero devil water?
I know, it seems like your world has come to an immediate end.
But next time this happens, dont be so fast to scream at your GF, and instead, embrace the cold. Because this ice cold shower pouring out from that showerhead may be exactly what you need.
Cold showers have been proven to have an amazing effect on your well-being and health. Something as simple as rotating the temperature gauge can really have a big improvement on your life.
So in this article, youll not only learn the 16 benefits of cold showers but how to actually grow the balls to take them!
Because it takes balls.
Taking A Hot Shower For Anxiety Or Panic Attacks
Quick personal story here.
When I had my very first couple of panic attacks, I was only about 15 years old or so. I had never heard of a panic attack before, and was so scared of the physical symptoms that I was convinced I was going to die. Needless to say, I didnt know any methods for reducing anxiety. I didnt know about breathwork, meditation, or grounding techniques.
One thing I remember about these first few panic attacks was just how helpless they left me feeling. They would often come in waves, and in-between the panic attacks Id feel shaken up and exhausted. Not knowing what to do or where to go to calm down, I wound up finding respite in an unlikely place…
You guessed it: A Hot Shower or Bath.
There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them. Whenever I’m sad I’m going to die, or so nervous I can’t sleep, or in love with somebody I won’t be seeing for a week, I slump down just so far and then I say: ‘I’ll go take a hot bath.’
Sylvia Plath– American Poet and Writer
I was already the one in my family known for taking 20-minute showers and irritating everyone else. I found the solitude and hot water relaxing. Since I didnt even know what meditation was back then, this was the closest I could come to a meditative experience.
Recommended Reading: What Can Social Anxiety Lead To
Mits: Three Most Important Tasks That Need To Get Done
Even a basic plan of attack for your day can drastically reduce your anxiety by decreasing the cognitive load that comes with increased decision making. Each morning we wake up with a finite amount of brain power and every decision we make detracts from it. By having a basic structure that decreases the number of decisions you have to make about what you are going to do next, you will be able to take control of your day and calm your restless mind.”
Every morning, I write down the 35 things that are making me the most anxious or stressed out. They tend to be things that I have pushed off for days on end. And more often than not, they are the most difficult or uncomfortable tasks that I need to do in order to move forward.
Once I have written out the 35 MOST important tasks and no more I ask myself the follow questions to help me prioritize which to focus on first:
Benefits Of Cold Showers
To start, cold showers and cold water immersion have a host of more obvious, acute changes that occur in the body. Stuff like: increased circulation, increased energy, improved mood, decreased inflammation, etc.
However, all of these are short term benefits from increasing physiological stress. This is largely because when you create physiological stress you drop into a relaxed state after the stressful event. Truly, the benefits come not from the stress, but terminating the chronic version of it.
Read Also: How To Deal With Sleep Anxiety
Is Cold Water Bad For A Hangover
There are some myths about drinking cold water for a hangover. The truth is that warm water is good for you, but it will only help your body temporarily. Drinking a glass of cold water may make your symptoms worse. Heres what you should do instead. During the morning, drink as much liquid as you can. The alcohol you drink will leave your body dehydrated, so drinking as much as possible will help you get rid of the problem.
While coffee and other beverages are diuretics, drinking cold water can help ward off hangovers. It can also wake you up. It stimulates your nervous system and increases heart rate, which makes you feel more alert. In addition, a cold shower can also reduce the effects of dehydration. According to Deep Bhatt, MD, an internist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, taking a cold shower can cause you to collapse because youre dehydrated and your blood vessels will be dilated. As a result, its a good idea to avoid a long shower, which will result in a bad hangover.
Another myth is that cold water causes a hangover. However, it does not actually cause a hangover. It will only make you dehydrated. The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to suffer from a hangover. So, what exactly causes a hungover? As mentioned, alcohol decreases the release of the vasopressin hormone, which is responsible for balancing fluid levels in your body. This causes you to feel thirsty and tired, and it also lowers the blood pressure.