A hot bath is often a common choice for hygiene and/or relaxation. However, opting for cold water at this moment can be a good choice for physical and mental health.
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Studies confirm the benefits of cold showers. Recently, Dutch researchers made a new discovery on the subject: people who practice cold showers tend to have less chance of missing work due to illness, compared to those who take hot baths.
According to human and personal development specialist Gisele Hedler, exposure to cold water activates parts of the brain that help to deal with pain and promote overall well-being. That’s why the concept has been gaining prominence on social networks, especially among some celebrities, like the Dutch athlete Wim Hof. According to him and other practitioners, the practice helps to deal with depression, anxiety and pain, and also improves focus and mood.
Why is cold showering good?
Gisele explains that when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, there is compression of the veins and blood vessels. “This means there will be a greater flow of blood being moved to your organs, which will have more nutrients to work with and thus will be able to function with greater efficiency”, she points out.
For her, it’s as if the cold were a trigger for the body to perform essential functions for emotional well-being. “The sympathetic nervous system, triggered in dangerous situations or during physical exercise, is not totally involuntary, as was believed until recently. Exposure to the cold stimulates this part of the brain, improving mood and helping in adaptation to life’s stressors”, she details.
The human development specialist emphasizes that cold water causes a sudden and intense release of hormones that can have antidepressant effects. “There were some studies in the UK that proved that the technique with cold immersion three times a week can treat chronic depression. This happens because when you dive into cold water, you can get a huge activation of dopamine, a hormone that depressed people are limited in.”
Despite the proven benefits, Gisele points out that the body’s responses are individual and generalization can bring errors. Therefore, the ideal is not to impose such practice as right or wrong before doing it (preferably with professional guidance).
