It can relieve muscle soreness.
Much like cold plunges, cold showers may offer a similar effect of relieving soreness, says Dr. Paulvin. “This happens because the cold causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing inflammation,” Putsov explains. “Metabolic waste such as lactic acid gets washed out faster. This process accelerates healing, getting you back in shape faster.”
It might improve your mood.
Dr. Paulvin and McKenna note that cold showers can also could help boost your mood, waking you up when you’re feeling sluggish or tired. “You may feel better because the shock from the cold triggers a flood of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals,” Putsov explains.
It can enhance mental clarity and alertness.
The aforementioned surge of endorphins can also contribute to enhanced mental clarity and alertness. “It activates your sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for your body’s fight-or-flight response, enhancing mental alertness and clarity,” says Putsov. As a result, you’ll feel less tired, much more refreshed, and ready to take on the day (so consider doing it in the morning).
It may improve circulation.
Do your hands and feet tend to go numb or feel tingly? Cold showers could help. “Cold exposure stimulates blood circulation through vasoconstriction and vasodilation, promoting cardiovascular health,” Kuhlmann explains. According to the Vascular Society, poor blood circulation can potentially harm the heart, kidneys, and brain, as well as make your extremities feel numb and/or tingly.
It might enhance physical performance.
“Cold-water immersion has shown positive impacts on muscular power,” says Kuhlmann. “This suggests that it aids muscle recovery, enhances performance, and promotes increased strength, especially following intense exercise.” Research also supports improvements in overall muscle power, he adds.
It could reduce stress.
The mental and physical boost you get from a cold plunge or shower might also help reduce stress. “Cold exposure, especially when combined with techniques like the Wim Hof breathing method, may reduce stress,” Kuhlmann says. “Controlled breathing and mindfulness practices during cold exposure positively influence the autonomic nervous system.”
It can boost metabolism.
According to Kuhlmann, exposure to cold temperatures may “activate brown fat and increased levels of plasma adiponectin,” which can contribute to weight loss and management. Translation? Exposure to cold temperatures, such as in a cold shower, can activate the use of a special kind of fat in the body meant to burn calories for warmth, resulting in an efficient metabolism and a decreased chance of high blood sugar, diabetes, and/or hardening of the arteries.
It’s good for your hair and skin.
It’s not not important! Very hot water isn’t great for your hair or skin. “Hot water burns your scalp and hair, and causes dryness and damage,” says celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena. “You wouldn't put your hands in boiling hot water, would you? Why would you do it with your hair?”
Hot water can also result in hair color fading faster and contribute to the formation of split ends. “Much as with our skin’s exposure to hot water, hot water can cause hair dryness,” says hairstylist Nick Stenson. “Hot water can rough up your hair cuticle, which can lead to more split ends.”
Cold showers vs. cold plunge
If cold showers and cold plunges share so many benefits, why bother cold plunging at all? “While cold showers can stimulate similar effects, a true cold plunge will provide you with more results, since your body is fully submerged in the cold water,” Dr. Paulvin explains.
