The modern beauty and he alth industry offers a wide range of procedures aimed at rejuvenating and strengthening the body. This includes hardware cosmetology, various massages, and cryotherapy (cold treatment). By the way, our article has something to do with the last point, because it will focus on the benefits and harms of a cold shower.
Mistakes in nutrition, stress and a sedentary lifestyle do not have the best effect on the he alth of the body. But these attributes have become an integral part of the lives of many people. And if earlier problems such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, overweight, were first encountered only in old age, now it occurs in young and middle-aged people.
Water treatments are the oldest means of preventing many diseases. How does cold showering affect the body? Proponents of cold treatment say that ice water improves blood circulation, while endorphin, known as the hormone of happiness, is produced. A person's mood improves, risestone the body and strengthen the immune system. Below we will analyze in more detail the effect of a cold shower on the human body.
Fat Burning
When exposed to cold, the body expends more energy to keep warm. To provide vital organs with heat, reserves of adipose tissue are expended. There is also evidence that cold water helps produce brown fat, which is considered he althy. It helps to eliminate harmful fats deposited in the abdomen. If you regularly take a cold shower, you can lose up to 4 kg in a year.
Improve blood circulation
Improve blood circulation. Under the influence of cold, vasoconstriction occurs. Blood moves more actively, warming the body and filling the internal organs. This is a good prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Mood improvement
The effect of a cold shower is comparable to the euphoria of a runner. The skin has a huge number of nerve endings. When cold water hits the skin, nerve impulses are sent straight to the brain. This contributes to the fact that a person experiences less stress and depression.
Cold water is especially useful for the stronger sex. Ice water shower increases testosterone levels.
Beauty of skin and hair
Cold water is good for skin and hair. Under the influence of hot water, the skin and hair dry out, which cannot be said about cold water. Oddly enough, skinafter a cold shower, it becomes softer, wrinkles are smoothed out, and hair becomes shiny.
Improve tone
If you take a cold shower in the morning, you will feel the benefits throughout the day. From cold water, the body wakes up faster, starting the work of all systems. This effect will last all day. Try instead of a cup of coffee to cheer up in the morning with cold water from the shower.
Relaxation and he althy sleep
It is believed that in a cool room you sleep better. Cold water treatments will help those suffering from insomnia. They lead to excitation of the receptors, and then to relaxation. A person calms down more easily, which means he falls asleep faster.
Rules for performing procedures with cold water
If the beneficial effects on the body inspired you to try this procedure, it is important to learn how to take a cold shower:
- Don't rush to fully stand under the cold jet. Wet your hands and feet first, wash your face. Let the body get used to the low temperature. And then rinse completely. You can even limit yourself to washing the limbs for the first few days.
- After the limbs get used to the cold water, connect the chest, back and head. Pay attention to the gap of the body where the head meets the neck. Hold the stream there for a while, letting the water run down your spine.
- In the bathroom, the temperature should be comfortably warm so that when you get out of the ice shower, you will not be oncold air. Otherwise, there will be too much stress, which can lead to a weakening of the body's defenses.
- It is important to remember that this is still not a dousing with ice water, and give the body time to get used to it. Start with room temperature water and gradually lower. Remember that at a water temperature of +16 ° C, hypothermia begins.
- Water should be cold, but not extremely icy. Find the right temperature. If the water takes your breath away, turn up the temperature a little.
- At first, take this shower for a few seconds, gradually increasing the duration to 20 seconds.
- After finishing the procedure, rub the whole body well, including the arms and legs. In order not to disrupt the movement of the lymph, do rubbing from the limbs to the body, avoiding the lymph nodes that are in the groin and behind the ears, do not rub the armpits.
After a shower, you should feel warm all over your body. This is an indicator that the procedure is performed correctly. It's good to walk around in your underwear for a while, but if you feel very cold, get dressed right away.
Contraindications and harm
Can everyone take a cold shower without exception? With many useful properties, there are contraindications. For any heart disease (ischemia, tachycardia, heart failure), such a shower should not be taken. During acute respiratory and viral diseases, it is better to postpone the procedure until complete recovery. If you have skin problems, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. And also an ice shower is contraindicated for people suffering fromhigh or low blood pressure.
In addition to the diseases listed above, individual intolerance to cold water is possible. If you can’t get used to such water, even gradually reducing the temperature, then perhaps the procedure should be postponed for a while.
Contrast shower
A contrast shower has no less useful properties. The essence of the procedure is the alternation of cold and hot water. Moreover, the sequence for men and women will be different. So, men start with cold water, then hot water, and end up cold again. Women need to start the procedure with hot water, turn on cold, and then warm. The time of the hot and warm phase should be kept to a minimum for the best effect. Basic rules for taking a contrast shower:
- The procedure is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach after exercise.
- The difference between cold and hot water should be around 30°C. Of course, it will take time to get used to such a contrast. Hot water - approximately 43 ° C, cold - 14-15 ° C.
- At least 4 contrast douches should be done, each for 1 min. Duration 5 to 8 minutes.
- Start pouring from below, moving up. Do not keep the jet in one place for a long time.
- Do not use detergents (soaps, gels, shampoos).
- After the procedure, do not wipe yourself and do not wipe dry. Let the body dry itself.
In general, a contrast shower tones the body, strengthens the immune system, isprevention of many diseases.
A cold shower in the morning will wake you up and energize you for the whole day. This procedure will bring benefits only if you perform it correctly, otherwise you can do harm. In any case, listen to your body and sensations. And if you have any chronic diseases, first consult with your doctor. If you follow the recommendations and regularity, procedures with cold water will bring he alth, good spirits and good mood.
