Some months ago a friend recommended taking regular cold showers for health benefits. Nope. I have a distinct aversion to being cold. Last weekend we were talking to our nephew who takes regular ice baths, extolling the many health benefits. I’m guessing that would just about kill me at my age. However, he also mentioned that we tend to love our comforts too much and that struck a nerve with me. I’m all about comfort. The older I get, the more comfort and ease I want. Sadly, my body isn’t on the same page. I want to sit and read a book or work on a puzzle and my neck says, “You can’t do that for too long – I will complain.” Or I might want to tuck my legs up under me in my comfy chair and my knees say, “Not today, my friend – not today.” We’re always told that we should drink more water for more of those alleged health benefits (it doesn’t matter how much you are currently drinking – you still have to drink MORE). Meanwhile, my bladder says, “That’s fine, I’m just fine. Bring it on. No need to….URGENT NEED TO GO TO BATHROOM RIGHT NOW! Oh, I’m sorry – you’ll never make it in time.”
It’s all part of the aging process, right? It sharpens the perspective on the importance of the eternal, rather than the temporal. Paul (the apostle) put it this way: “Therefore we do not lose heart, for though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Case closed.
But the matter of the cold shower still lingered. I flexed my fingers and did a little internet research to find out just how great these health benefits are. Maybe I need to sow a little discomfort in my life in order to reap the great rewards? So here’s the carrot on the end of the stick as pertains to the potential benefits of cold showers:
Boost immune system
Relieve depression
Make you more alert
Keep hair healthy
Sense of invigoration
Improve circulation
Reduce inflammation/muscle soreness
Stimulate weight loss
Increase metabolism
Of course that lovely list of benefits is not a guarantee, and if you have heart disease, a brisk cold shower could go in all the wrong directions for you. I’M NOT RECOMMENDING COLD SHOWERS. (I have to say that for the lawyers out there).
As an aside, one of the articles I read started out with the phrase “Many people prefer warm showers to cold showers,” which made me laugh out loud. “Many?” Try “All people.” Or at least “All sane people.”
More asides: Cold showers are also called the “James Bond Showers” or “Scottish Showers.” I don’t know why – I didn’t feel like jumping in that rabbit hole. Also, Katherine Hepburn took a cold shower daily.
Bottom line: I have now entered the realm of insanity and have taken two (yes, two!) brief cold showers. The first minute is unmitigated shock and misery, but it becomes surprisingly bearable for the next (and last) two minutes. Is it worth it? Stay tuned.
By the way, I AM NOT RECOMMENDING COLD SHOWERS.
I’ll probably delete this after a cold shower (WHICH I AM NOT – repeat – NOT RECOMMENDING)
Lynniebeemuseoday 
Just say NO to cold showers! Arrrgggh! 🤪
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remember, I’m not recommending them! 😂 🥶
LikeLike
I am very supportive of your endeavors, dear friend, and will cheer you on all the way, but have not yet convinced myself, as yet, to try it. Just thinking of it makes every bone in my body ache. Just the change in weather and temps the past couple days has my arthritis screaming out., as I navigate my day in two sweatshirts and a layer of Cuddle Duds. I’m watching you closely. If it appears you have found a “fountain of youth” you may just tempt me to try it…..maybe on a 90° day in the summer. 🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remember, you’re the sane one! I am comforted by the thought of you cheering me on in my experiments, though. Time will tell!
LikeLike
Just two (or so) days ago I listened to a podcast (reliable source, Mayo Clinic) about taking cold showers and the person talking was all about them! Of course, talk to your health care provider about first. What they were talking about was starting from a dry (emphasis dry) sauna and then plunging into the cold. Another approach could be taking your (MY!) usual hot shower and then ending it with cold, making sure to dry off quickly right away afterwards. I tried this for a brief (really brief) cold ending. I’m with Barbie- wait for a 90-degree day!
On a similar note, I have found that icing a sore spot (arthritis) or even submerging my leg into a five-gallon bucket of ice water does WONDERS for arthritis or an injury of some sort. The first moment is hard, but after that, I can’t feel anything anyway! 🙂
Either one of these methods might just be the ticket to less pain or other problems. As I double up in layers, I’ll join Barbie in waiting for your response!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been contemplating the method of ending a warm shower with a short cold one – I’ll probably try that today after swimming laps. It’s honestly not been as ghastly an experience as I thought, and I really think it has had a beneficial effect on my energy and sense of invigoration. Thanks for adding to the conversation. I don’t blame you or Barbie for wanting to wait for 90-degree weather. That’s when a cold shower feels really good!
LikeLiked by 1 person