I can already guess what you’re thinking. “I need my coffee or my eyes won’t even open.” Hear me out, and promise to try this for ONE WEEK before caving in to your normal caffeine routine.
Many of you have heard of Wim Hof. If not, then please click the link below to check him out! His methods are amazing, and they truly work. No, this isn’t a paid ad, I just wanted to share how cold shower benefits have truly changed my life. Yep, that’s the morning miracle, nothing fancy and it’s something we pretty much all have access to.
My new and improved routine
I’ve been taking cold showers first thing in the morning for over a year now and I wouldn’t start my day any other way. The refreshing clean energy that it gives is completely addictive. Now don’t get me wrong, every morning my body is telling me it doesn’t want to jump in, but my mind knows how great I feel after. I look at it as my first mental challenge of the day, proving to myself that mind can overpower matter. It makes other daily challenges seem less intense.
How it has changed my life for the better
To get even more personal, I battle with clinical depression and take anti-depressants. After the birth of my daughter, my depression worsened with post-partum. Since I’ve started taking cold showers every morning, I’ve been able to decrease the dose of my anti-depressant. Now I’m not saying that this will ring true for everyone, but simply sharing my journey and experience. I truly hope you’ll give it a try for at least a week and see what it can do for you.
One of my favorite things in my bathroom is my towel warmer – I’ve linked it below. Coming out of the icy shower into a nice warm towel feels like in the movies when the clouds part, the sun comes out, and the birds are singing. It sets a great tone to start your day.
What the research shows
Cold showers are not just hype, there is scientific research to back their effectiveness.
Here are some proven cold shower benefits or ice baths:
- Increased alertness. It awakens the whole body. The cold changes the way you breathe. You take deeper breaths thus increasing your body’s O₂.
- Strengthened immune system. Research shows that the cold stimulates the production of white blood cells, which help to fight disease.
- Increased mental strength. It takes willpower to dive in.
- Reduced stress levels. It decreases your feelings of anxiety.
- Increased metabolic rate. This can help you to burn more fat.
How to get started
- You can start with just 30 to 60 secs and work your way up. The goal is to do at least 2 mins.
- This isn’t necessarily a shower to wash, it’s more to restore your mind and body. Take it as time to channel in and be mindful. Be present, notice how each part of your body feels, your muscles, your breath, your thoughts…
- I count to three, then dive straight in. There is science behind a countdown. It quiets the brain and allows you to embrace the task at the end of the countdown.
- Build it into your morning routine. I like to start with it after I brush my teeth. That way I don’t put it off. Plus, it gives me that morning jolt to start the day.
- Set a goal for yourself for the week, i.e. to do it every weekday. The more you show up to reach your goals, the more self-confidence you build. This adds to the improved mental strength and overall feeling of wellness.
So, the next time you catch yourself reaching for that extra caffeine hit, take a minute. Consider implementing a brisk cold shower into your daily routine. And at the end of the week, reflect on all of the physical and mental differences you notice, however subtle they may seem.
Towel warmer: Haven bucket towel warmer
Resource:
