Cold Shower Vs. Hot Shower: Which is Better?

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Do you like to have a hot, steaming shower in the morning? While hot water showers have their own pros, did you know that a cold shower can also do you a lot of good too? From calming itchy skin to enhancing your blood circulation, cold showers have many health benefits. But which one is better? We give you the complete rundown in this blog. Keep on reading for more!

 The Pros of Cold Showers

The benefits of taking a cold shower include:

• Calming Itchy Skin – If you have itchy skin or skin conditions, cold showers can help you overcome the sensation to scratch.
• Waking you Up – When that cold spray hits your body, there’s a bit of shock. This shock increases oxygen intake, heart rate, and alertness. Therefore waking you up and getting you out of that morning slump.  
• Increasing Circulation – Increased circulation is one of the top reasons experts recommend cold showers. As cold water hits your body, it constricts circulation on the surface of your body. This causes blood in your deeper tissues to circulate at faster rates to maintain the ideal body temperature.
• Aids Weight Loss – Some fat cells can generate heat by burning fat. They do this when your body is exposed to cold conditions like in a shower.
• Glowing Hair and Skin – Cold water tightens and constricts the blood flow which gives your skin a healthier glow. Unlike hot water, it also doesn’t dry out the sebum layer, a naturally lubricated barrier that provides protection for your skin and hair. As a result of the effects of cold water, your hair may be more likely to become stronger and healthier over time. Cold water also closes and strengthens your hair cuticles.

The Cons of Cold Showers

Cold showers might not be a good idea if you’re already cold, since the cooler temperature isn’t going to help warm you up by any means. It could actually make you even colder and increase the amount of time it will take for your body to warm back up. Additionally, they may not be a good idea if you’re sick. The cold temperature might be too hard on your immune system, so it’s best to ease into the cooler temperatures.

Why do we like Hot Showers?

If you have trouble relaxing or falling asleep at night, you might be tempted to take a hot shower to ease the stress of the day. This is a common practice for muscle relaxation before going to sleep because hot showers activate the parasympathetic nervous system which makes us tired.

Other benefits of hot showers include:

• Providing Relief from Respiratory Symptoms – Standing in a hot shower with steam surrounding you has long been used as a natural remedy to reduce cold and cough symptoms. The heat from the water and the steam can help open airways, loosen up phlegm, and clear out your nasal passages.
• Helping with Blemishes – Hot showers can help open up the pores of the skin, which allows you to clean out the trapped dirt and oil.

The Cons of Hot Showers

Yes, taking a hot shower does have some downsides. Hot showers can dry out and irritate your skin. The hot water causes damage to the keratin cells that are located on the outermost layer of our skin. Disrupting these cells creates dry skin and prevents the cells from locking in moisture causing you to itch.

They can also make certain skin conditions worse. Higher temperatures make it easier for the skin to dry out and worsen conditions like eczema or psoriasis. They can even increase your blood pressure. If you have problems with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, taking a shower that’s too hot can make these conditions worse.

So, which is Better?

There are obvious benefits to both hot and cold showers, so what should you do? Well, in an ideal world, you should take a lukewarm shower since it’s the healthiest option for your body and skin.

However, another approach to try is a contrast shower. Basically, you get the water as cold as possible and stand in it for one minute. When the minute is up, you then change the water to as hot as you can handle for an additional minute. Alternate between one minute each of cold and hot for three to five cycles.

The health benefits come from the cold water constricting the blood vessels. Then the hot water opens the blood vessels and all the blood comes rushing out again. This can pump blood through the muscles and organs faster and is great for helping with regeneration and detoxification.

Terry’s Plumbing is here for you!

Is your shower just not cutting it anymore? Not only can we fulfill all your plumbing needs, but Terry’s Plumbing can also do full bathroom remodels to fit any style or trend. Get in touch today to discuss the details of your remodel–you won’t regret it!