Ever dunked yourself into an ice-cold tub or seen influencers do so? Turns out being surrounded by freezing water does have beneficial health effects if done correctly.

Though it may seem counterintuitive that being cold is good for your body, when done right it reaps many benefits. Dr. Sharon Hame who subspecializes in sports medicine says “cold showers are a convenient way for a weekend warrior, amateur athlete or anyone who enjoys exercise to get some of the benefits of cold therapy after a workout.”

Cold therapy’s benefits include improving immunity, circulation, skin quality and metabolism. It can also reduce muscle soreness and negative emotions.

How the cold temperature helps the body is that it forces the body to adjust, stimulating blood cells that improve the immune system. The veins contract, pushing more blood into the organs. Then, once the shower is over, they expand once again, helping remove any waste products that might slow down muscle soreness going away.

These showers can even burn calories because the body needs to maintain its heat, although only faintly.

Another perk of cold showers is skincare. Pores tend to close while in cold water, giving the skin a smooth look.

But the sudden cold shock can also be very dangerous to some. Director of preventive cardiology Doctor Jorge Plutzky states “”I would caution against it for anyone with a cardiac history.”

The cold can put stress on your heart, at the worst case causing a heart attack. Also, the research for cryotherapy is not abundant.
To safely start taking cold showers, it is recommended to take a few minutes of a hot shower before gradually switching to 30-90 seconds of a cold shower.

For more information:

You’re not a polar bear: The plunge into cold water comes with risks

Are Cold Showers Actually Beneficial or Just Another Social Media Trend?