Are cold showers in winter good?
Nothing feels more relaxing than a good shower after a long day. But as the season changes, some of us might swap our cold showers for hot ones to beat the chill. But, it turns out that cold showers are better, as they provide greater health benefits. While we may shudder to even think of taking a cold bath, experts believe that there are several benefits to it. Here, we look at the positives and negatives of a cold shower during winter.
The good
Taking a bath in under 15°C water is considered a cold shower and works best for healthy young individuals, as it helps wake them up. Cold showers work to enhance blood circulation to the organs, boost metabolism, and help you loose weight, says Dr Divya Gopal, consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Sir HN Reliance
Hospital, Mumbai.
Adding, Dr Santosh Kumar Agrawal, senior consultant, Internal Medicine, Marengo QRG Hospital, Faridabad, says, “Taking cold baths makes the arteries stronger and reduces blood pressure.”
Agrawal further explains that cold showers can also help you cope with depression, as it boosts one’s mood. Dr Jasmeet Singh, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Specialist, Shalby Multispeciality Hospital, Mohali, shares, “It helps relieve irritated skin, reduce swelling and muscle aches.”
On the other hand, Dr Sunil Jain, HOD Emergency Medicines, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, says, “Bathing with cold water can be great for your skin and hair, as it tightens the cuticles and pores and prevents them from getting clogged with dirt.”
The bad
Taking a cold bath during winter may turn fatal, as it may cause brain stroke or heart attack. Elderly population with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, or heart diseases are likely to be hit harder by stroke after taking a cold bath during winter.
Dr Vikas Gupta, director, Neurosurgery Department, Kailash Deepak Hospital, Delhi, says “During winter, we have observed a substantial increase in the incidence of brain stroke, as our blood gets thicker and the blood vessels temporarily get narrowed. So, blood pressure can shoot up.”
Avoid cold water baths if you are low on immunity as it can make you prone to a plethora of health issues like cold, cough, pneumonia, irritation of the throat and fever, explains Agrawal.
Dr Sanket Jain, consultant pulmonologist, Masina Hospital, Mumbai, adds, “A disadvantage of using cold water in winter is when a person is ill. It can increase the amount of time it will take for your body to warm back up and suppresses the immune system, making it difficult for a sick person to fight the disease.”