Cold showers!

[Anchor]

{originally posted on PAv1, now slightly edited and reposted}

Learn to cope without hot water before you need to! Take a cold shower instead!

Every week day since some time in 2008 with very few exceptions and some weekend days I have started the day with a cold shower. That is, just cold water and no hot. I have done this even up in the heights of the Australian NSW tablelands and mountains where the water is very freaking cold!

I found out about it when listening to a Sikh talking about Ishnaan and Sadhana (videos below). It took me months of fighting with myself and chickening out, but the day I did it, I was so pumped. I was jumping mad happy that I had overcome myself to do it and felt like Superman, the feeling was amazing. I never looked back. It took some persistence to stay with it, especially during the winter, you definitely want to get dried of quicker and into warm clothes asap! The cold shower is done just after getting up in the morning - preferably before the sun does, though why I don't know.

I just went for it, but I guess you could work up to it slowly if you want to.

The reasons I continue to do this are:

1) Wakes me up. It really does! Actually that might be a bit of an understatement!
2) Cured me of my Hay fever a pollen allergy. Apparently this is due to the strengthening effect on the mucous membranes
3) Helps circulation by bringing blood to capillaries and increasing circulation through the body - seems to, I can get out of the cold shower and within seconds and steaming hot, misting up the mirror!
4) Improves the internal furnace, I find I can be warmer when it is cold and am more tolerant to temperature changes
5) Makes losing weight easier (you still have to follow the "Eat Less Move More" diet though!)
6) Makes morning meditation easier to get into
7) It doesn't kill me, so it makes me stronger - lol
8) Detoxifies, by contracting muscles to eliminate toxins - skin and hair also improves.
9) Saves energy - not using lots of hot water
10) Makes me less likely to get inconvenienced in an energy disruption. I will still be showering and being clean without hot water.
11) Saves water - you shower cold until it doesn't feel cold. Stop. Soap. Rinse off, done. Trust me, in the winter, these are very short showers!

I can personally vouch for all these effects. I have not had a cold or flu since I started this, except one time when I was exhausted for other reasons.

Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free though natch), Soap and Shampoo. However: nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.

Here are some notes I have added based on wise members telling me things:

Note 1: I have read that cold showers should not be taken during by women during her menstrual period. A lukewarm shower is recommended. Generally speaking, hot showers are not good for men or women at any time.

Note 2: It is not my intention that you shower cold on an already cold body. My cold showers take place very shortly after I get up and out of bed, and I am still warm from that.

Note 3: I have been informed that cold showering is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure and I feel that I should pass this on regardless of what I think about it

Note 4: This cold showering recommendation is for the morning, immediately after waking up only. Personally, unless it was a hot day in Summer or there was no other choice I would not cold shower at other times!

Here are some Youtube clips that started me off.

Medium Youtube Video (3m38s) Ishnaan Therapy (Cold Shower)]
Ishnaan, the science of cold showers
Go for it! When the cold water hits the surface of your skin (which has four layers) all the blood from way deep inside your body rushes to the surface in self-defense, vastly improving your circulation on the spot. This is called Hydrotherapy. It strengthens your entire nervous system. People pay huge sums of money for what is now called "Hydrothermal therapy" when in reality all you need is cold water!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxHagZ4W5E

Medium Youtube Video (10m54s) Sadhana - Video Lecture by Yogi Bhajan
Cold showers/bath are a component of Sadhana.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=GK4307fPaPY

GO ON I DARE YOU!

John..

[PHARAOH]

{originally posted on PAv1, now slightly edited and reposted}

Learn to cope without hot water before you need to! Take a cold shower instead!

Every week day since some time in 2008 with very few exceptions and some weekend days I have started the day with a cold shower. That is, just cold water and no hot. I have done this even up in the heights of the Australian NSW tablelands and mountains where the water is very freaking cold!

I found out about it when listening to a Sikh talking about Ishnaan and Sadhana (videos below). It took me months of fighting with myself and chickening out, but the day I did it, I was so pumped. I was jumping mad happy that I had overcome myself to do it and felt like Superman, the feeling was amazing. I never looked back. It took some persistence to stay with it, especially during the winter, you definitely want to get dried of quicker and into warm clothes asap! The cold shower is done just after getting up in the morning - preferably before the sun does, though why I don't know.

I just went for it, but I guess you could work up to it slowly if you want to.

The reasons I continue to do this are:

1) Wakes me up. It really does! Actually that might be a bit of an understatement!
2) Cured me of my Hay fever a pollen allergy. Apparently this is due to the strengthening effect on the mucous membranes
3) Helps circulation by bringing blood to capillaries and increasing circulation through the body - seems to, I can get out of the cold shower and within seconds and steaming hot, misting up the mirror!
4) Improves the internal furnace, I find I can be warmer when it is cold and am more tolerant to temperature changes
5) Makes losing weight easier (you still have to follow the "Eat Less Move More" diet though!)
6) Makes morning meditation easier to get into
7) It doesn't kill me, so it makes me stronger - lol
8) Detoxifies, by contracting muscles to eliminate toxins - skin and hair also improves.
9) Saves energy - not using lots of hot water
10) Makes me less likely to get inconvenienced in an energy disruption. I will still be showering and being clean without hot water.
11) Saves water - you shower cold until it doesn't feel cold. Stop. Soap. Rinse off, done. Trust me, in the winter, these are very short showers!

I can personally vouch for all these effects. I have not had a cold or flu since I started this, except one time when I was exhausted for other reasons.

Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free though natch), Soap and Shampoo. However: nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.

Here are some notes I have added based on wise members telling me things:

Note 1: I have read that cold showers should not be taken during by women during her menstrual period. A lukewarm shower is recommended. Generally speaking, hot showers are not good for men or women at any time.

Note 2: It is not my intention that you shower cold on an already cold body. My cold showers take place very shortly after I get up and out of bed, and I am still warm from that.

Note 3: I have been informed that cold showering is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure and I feel that I should pass this on regardless of what I think about it

Here are some Youtube clips that started me off.

Medium Youtube Video (3m38s) Ishnaan Therapy (Cold Shower)]
Ishnaan, the science of cold showers
Go for it! When the cold water hits the surface of your skin (which has four layers) all the blood from way deep inside your body rushes to the surface in self-defense, vastly improving your circulation on the spot. This is called Hydrotherapy. It strengthens your entire nervous system. People pay huge sums of money for what is now called "Hydrothermal therapy" when in reality all you need is cold water!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxHagZ4W5E

Medium Youtube Video (10m54s) Sadhana - Video Lecture by Yogi Bhajan
Cold showers/bath are a component of Sadhana.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=GK4307fPaPY

GO ON I DARE YOU!

John..

I heard this before but not quite this way. I will begin today. Burrrrrrrr...............

[Solphilos]

I've always taken cold showers, simply because it seems appropriate. Before civilization, I would have been bathing in a river or stream, which are naturally at a constant cool temperature. In 'nature', there aren't many bodies of very warm or hot water, with the exception of hot springs (which I'm sure have their own therapeutic value).

I also love the cleansing feeling that cold water gives. Unfortunately, here in Texas, the water doesn't get very cold in the summertime. I normally have to run the shower for a few minutes to get rid of the hot water, then I'll get cool water at best, but never cold.

[NeoEmc2]

Good post John,

I can definitely vouch for cold showers. It's one of the most revitalizing feelings in the morning! I love it. It probably gives you the equivalent of drinking a cup of coffee, perhaps better than.

I've been taking cold showers every chance I get in the mornings because it does feel rather good to start your day. If I can't handle the cold water due to the weather, I start off lukewarm and eventually blast the cold water before I am done. That might be a good tip for those of you who want to get started with cold showers.

I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. As a kid when I lived in Honduras I did it because there are no hot water tanks in poor areas where I lived. I used to have to haul water from a nearby location, take it home and bathe with that. If I wanted a warm shower we would have to heat up the water in the stove top. As an grown man I learned about what it does to your blood circulation and boy does it make a difference.

[Olam]

Done lots of traveling in remote regions for 15 years, never ever got used to cold showers!.......At some point I had too, but it was after having been living with my cruddy body for a few weeks. Of all the things we will have to adjust to, this to me will be the absolute hardest part.
Cold water is like having a thousand needles shoved into me all at the same time.

[Swanny]

My theory
Enjoy hot showers while you can, endure cold shower when you have to :p

[conk]

I found it easier to gradually lower the temperature of the water until the water is cold. Start off warm, bath, then rinse and suffer in the cold for a minute or so. From what I've read you still get the same benefits as you listed. It's SO hard to jump right in. Good on you for doing so.

Once when I was living in Germany our hot water heater (tiny as it was) went out. It was 13 degrees outside. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Now those were short showers. More like jump through and get out.

Good thread! I believe there is sound science in what you have proposed.

[HORIZONS]

I like to go for a cold swim after sitting in a hot tub, does that count?

[Anchor]

I like to go for a cold swim after sitting in a hot tub, does that count?

Yes I think it does.

Since I started this practice I read about the Mammalian Diving reflex (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammalian_diving_reflex ), and I wonder if that isn't something to do with why it works as well as it does - or at least part of the story.

This morning my water was somewhere around 6-8 degC - the shower was not a long one :)

John..

[Moemers]

Is this counter-productive after a long day doing physical labor in cold weather?

[Anchor]

Is this counter-productive after a long day doing physical labor in cold weather?

I dont know. I would not do this. For me its done immediately after getting out of bed, where you are not (or should not be) cold.

I do say in my post not to do this on an already cold body

John..

[Moemers]

Touche!

I was just curious, because this sounds like something I'd be very interested in doing. Although, I'll probably start warm-ish and move down to cold, as showering is not the first thing I do in the morning.

[Caren]

Hi John,
I just want to mention that I enjoy the humor in your opening post, you can be very funny! Cold showers?
I think I'm with Swanny. However I did grow up swimming in the very cold Atlantic ocean. The water is
so cold that going to the beach to swim doesn't happen for most until august!
caren

[Arpheus]

I had cold showers for a period of 2 years when i was between 18 and 20ish may have been a little longer than that,i never regret you can get used to it really fast tho,its not that bad i did it to heal my asthma problem i had when i was younger and it cured me 100 per cent,when that cold water hit my back and all my respiratory tree was such a shocker especially during the winter times oh hell i can remember now hehe,those were some fun times,i also remember reading somewhere that human hair loves cold water its a much healthier choice ,i think i am gonna go back to it soon come to think of ;)

[Richard]

Hiya
Although the benefits John listed for cold showers are important to note I feel sometimes a Hot shower is just a must.. There are various ways to acheive that without using the electrical grid
I use a black vinyl 20 liter bag with a hose and shower head attached, i fill the bag in the morning and hang it in a sunny place for 2-3 hours at least. It provides a 5 minute hot shower
:)

Then there's a slightly more elaborate version like this found on the web.


http://www.savehouseholdenergy.com/images/solar-shower-finished-200.jpgBuild this solar heated hot water shower for as little as $25 (if you have some spare lumber and items laying around) and save on hot water heat costs! This 20 gallon capacity shower provides enough water for a family of 4-6 to take daily showers and the design is simple. The plastic cover over the top enhances the solar heating, making this a shower that can possibly be used 6 months out of the year in even the colder northern climates. You only need the south side of a garage, house, or shed to mount the frame. The shower fills with an ordinary garden hose.

Materials List:


Old garden hose
Hose mender, male end mender, and on/off as shown in Step 1
(2) 32" 2x4's, (2) 35" 2x4's, (2) 33" 2x4's, (1) 39" 2x6, 39" 2x2 for box and frame shown in Steps 2 and-3
39" by 35" piece of 1/2" plywood or (2) pieces 39" by 17 1/2"
(1) 39" 2x6 or 2x4 and 30-39" 2x2 for frame support shown in Step 4 and 5
Small scraps of plywood for diagonal stops (Step 2) and to hold down plastic (Step 10)
35" long 3/4" x 1.5" board, 35" 2x2, 35" 2x4 ripped to 2 1/4" for Step 6
4" to5 3/4" by 39" scrap of plywood or siding for Step 6
5 ft by 5 ft square of relatively clear plastic
Ordinary black 55 gallon contractors garbage bag
8x10 tarp for privacy curtain
Shower head - hose sprinkler head or watering can spout works well
2", 3", and 3 1/2" hex-head deck screws

full plans: http://www.savehouseholdenergy.com/solarshower.html

[Beth]

Thanks Richard, pretty cool idea. And on a side note, I love taking cold showers in the summer.

[Goldenserenity]

I think I will pass on the cold shower bit. I enjoy my hot water shower at bed time. Sometimes I will turn the hot water way down and allow cool water to finish up my shower with. But to purposely take a cold shower....NAH :eek:

[Anchor]

Cold shower recommendation is for the morning only. Unless I had no choice, I would not cold shower at any other time. If I shower in the evening then it is definitely not a cold one!

[Goldenserenity]

This one site is about cold showers and says...

"Many cultures incorporated a cold water dousing into their religious ceremonies. Some Native American tribes would alternate between sitting in a sweat lodge and jumping into an icy river or snow bank. Ancient Russians also took frequent plunges into ice cold rivers for health and spiritual cleansing. Japanese practitioners of Shinto, both in ancient and modern times, would stand under an icy waterfall as part of a ritual known as Misogi, which was believed to cleanse the spirit."

http://artofmanliness.com/2010/01/18/the-james-bond-shower-a-shot-of-cold-water-for-health-and-vitality/

[heyokah]

Thanks Richard, pretty cool idea. And on a side note, I love taking cold showers in the summer.

What I have learned from my oriental friends is to take a hot shower when the weather is hot and not a cold one.
Hot water will open your pores so the body-warmth can get out.
After the hot shower you feel much cooler ! :)
Try it !

[heyokah]

A cold shower straight after bed ?..... I try it from time to time and can do it with a lots of rubbing and "screeming" at the same time :lol:

as Yogi Bhajan says : "The most wonderful act of courage " :eek:

It's cold on the body, but it can be endured.
It is the worst though right on top of your head!!
I had that experience for the first time on a campsite, while washing my hair the warm water was suddenly gone (empty boiler??), but I still had to rinse my hair ......:rolleyes:

Really, I don't mind showering cold, but on top of my head ....?????

[Pilgrim]

Very well, John, I found this therad so I add some my input. Well, I take a cold shower for ages. I can confirm it makes sense for me only in the morning. I start from my feet, after slowly shower mid-body and continue up until I reach my face. Especially washing my face with cold water make me feel wonderfull and wakes me up fully. I am like "recharged"awaiting new day more positively attuned and feeling stronger. It requires a bit discipline although during severe winter time when I feel that I am not so harsh with myself.;) When I have got some hard physical training I use warmer water first and cold one at the end of my showering. It refreshes my muscles and lower tension which left in them after my training. In the evening it does not make sense for me so much to take cold shower, I use only warmer water but not completely hot. Enjoy, cold shower enthusiasts.

I must add I am suan fan since my childhood too, roling in fresh snow after you leave sauna is quite feeling, I strongly recommend that, jumping into river, lake or pool is even better. Scandinavians know what I talk about:cool:

[Lord Sidious]

{originally posted on PAv1, now slightly edited and reposted}

Learn to cope without hot water before you need to! Take a cold shower instead!

Every week day since some time in 2008 with very few exceptions and some weekend days I have started the day with a cold shower. That is, just cold water and no hot. I have done this even up in the heights of the Australian NSW tablelands and mountains where the water is very freaking cold!

I found out about it when listening to a Sikh talking about Ishnaan and Sadhana (videos below). It took me months of fighting with myself and chickening out, but the day I did it, I was so pumped. I was jumping mad happy that I had overcome myself to do it and felt like Superman, the feeling was amazing. I never looked back. It took some persistence to stay with it, especially during the winter, you definitely want to get dried of quicker and into warm clothes asap! The cold shower is done just after getting up in the morning - preferably before the sun does, though why I don't know.

I just went for it, but I guess you could work up to it slowly if you want to.

The reasons I continue to do this are:

1) Wakes me up. It really does! Actually that might be a bit of an understatement!
2) Cured me of my Hay fever a pollen allergy. Apparently this is due to the strengthening effect on the mucous membranes
3) Helps circulation by bringing blood to capillaries and increasing circulation through the body - seems to, I can get out of the cold shower and within seconds and steaming hot, misting up the mirror!
4) Improves the internal furnace, I find I can be warmer when it is cold and am more tolerant to temperature changes
5) Makes losing weight easier (you still have to follow the "Eat Less Move More" diet though!)
6) Makes morning meditation easier to get into
7) It doesn't kill me, so it makes me stronger - lol
8) Detoxifies, by contracting muscles to eliminate toxins - skin and hair also improves.
9) Saves energy - not using lots of hot water
10) Makes me less likely to get inconvenienced in an energy disruption. I will still be showering and being clean without hot water.
11) Saves water - you shower cold until it doesn't feel cold. Stop. Soap. Rinse off, done. Trust me, in the winter, these are very short showers!

I can personally vouch for all these effects. I have not had a cold or flu since I started this, except one time when I was exhausted for other reasons.

Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free though natch), Soap and Shampoo. However: nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.

Here are some notes I have added based on wise members telling me things:

Note 1: I have read that cold showers should not be taken during by women during her menstrual period. A lukewarm shower is recommended. Generally speaking, hot showers are not good for men or women at any time.

Note 2: It is not my intention that you shower cold on an already cold body. My cold showers take place very shortly after I get up and out of bed, and I am still warm from that.

Note 3: I have been informed that cold showering is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure and I feel that I should pass this on regardless of what I think about it

Note 4: This cold showering recommendation is for the morning, immediately after waking up only. Personally, unless it was a hot day in Summer or there was no other choice I would not cold shower at other times!

Here are some Youtube clips that started me off.

Medium Youtube Video (3m38s) Ishnaan Therapy (Cold Shower)]
Ishnaan, the science of cold showers
Go for it! When the cold water hits the surface of your skin (which has four layers) all the blood from way deep inside your body rushes to the surface in self-defense, vastly improving your circulation on the spot. This is called Hydrotherapy. It strengthens your entire nervous system. People pay huge sums of money for what is now called "Hydrothermal therapy" when in reality all you need is cold water!

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxHagZ4W5E

Medium Youtube Video (10m54s) Sadhana - Video Lecture by Yogi Bhajan
Cold showers/bath are a component of Sadhana.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=GK4307fPaPY

GO ON I DARE YOU!

John..

Just make sure that you don't have heart issues first.
I do and this isn't good for me, I tried it.

[bluestflame]

pot of hot water and a flannel, hand bath

[str8thinker]

Thanks John, but just a word of caution. As you say,


I have been informed that cold showering is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure and I feel that I should pass this on regardless of what I think about it

There is a little more to it:


The body reacts to cold by constricting the blood vessels in the periphery of your body. The heart has to work harder to squeeze blood through the narrow vessels. This may be too much for a sick heart. Surveys of blood donors revealed that blood pressure rose significantly after temperature drops. Published figures showed increases of between 12 and 18mmHg. While such an increase is not significant for a healthy person, it is sometimes a deciding factor for a person suffering already from high blood pressure. Medical practitioners should take the seasonal effect into account when treating hypertension.

Lower temperatures also change the composition of the blood. The change is almost immediate and persists for up to two days. The number of particles in the blood, such as platelets, red blood cells, fibrinogen and cholesterol, increases in cold conditions (high platelets level) and make the blood thicker (increased blood viscosity). Some tests showed an increase in viscosity by up to 21%. The risk of blood clots developing increases also and, together with the high viscosity, may lead to blocked blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs.

http://www.globalbioweather.com/weather_cardiovascular_disorders.html

So for older people and those with any history of heart disease, check with your doctor first.

[Anchor]

Thanks John, but just a word of caution. As you say,


I have been informed that cold showering is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure and I feel that I should pass this on regardless of what I think about it

There is a little more to it:


The body reacts to cold by constricting the blood vessels in the periphery of your body. The heart has to work harder to squeeze blood through the narrow vessels. This may be too much for a sick heart. Surveys of blood donors revealed that blood pressure rose significantly after temperature drops. Published figures showed increases of between 12 and 18mmHg. While such an increase is not significant for a healthy person, it is sometimes a deciding factor for a person suffering already from high blood pressure. Medical practitioners should take the seasonal effect into account when treating hypertension.

Lower temperatures also change the composition of the blood. The change is almost immediate and persists for up to two days. The number of particles in the blood, such as platelets, red blood cells, fibrinogen and cholesterol, increases in cold conditions (high platelets level) and make the blood thicker (increased blood viscosity). Some tests showed an increase in viscosity by up to 21%. The risk of blood clots developing increases also and, together with the high viscosity, may lead to blocked blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs.

http://www.globalbioweather.com/weather_cardiovascular_disorders.html

So for older people and those with any history of heart disease, check with your doctor first.

This is a good elaboration on the advice not to cold shower on an already cold body.

Cold showering on a warm body does not lower the core temperature and the cycle of vasodilation and vasoconstriction are temporary.

NB: I am not medically qualified - but I am reasonably sure of my facts. If you have doubts or known circulatory or heart conditions then obviously do your checks first.

Funny to see this thread resurface after so long :)

Who has had a cold-shower as a result of reading this thread - a few people told me in PM.

I am still doing it - its become "normal" for me now.

I still like warm showers too - so hooray for solar hot water heating and whichever University that invented Evacuated Tubes :) (May have been Sydney's actually)

John..

[Lord Sidious]

Thanks John, but just a word of caution. As you say,


I have been informed that cold showering is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure and I feel that I should pass this on regardless of what I think about it

There is a little more to it:


The body reacts to cold by constricting the blood vessels in the periphery of your body. The heart has to work harder to squeeze blood through the narrow vessels. This may be too much for a sick heart. Surveys of blood donors revealed that blood pressure rose significantly after temperature drops. Published figures showed increases of between 12 and 18mmHg. While such an increase is not significant for a healthy person, it is sometimes a deciding factor for a person suffering already from high blood pressure. Medical practitioners should take the seasonal effect into account when treating hypertension.

Lower temperatures also change the composition of the blood. The change is almost immediate and persists for up to two days. The number of particles in the blood, such as platelets, red blood cells, fibrinogen and cholesterol, increases in cold conditions (high platelets level) and make the blood thicker (increased blood viscosity). Some tests showed an increase in viscosity by up to 21%. The risk of blood clots developing increases also and, together with the high viscosity, may lead to blocked blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs.

http://www.globalbioweather.com/weather_cardiovascular_disorders.html

So for older people and those with any history of heart disease, check with your doctor first.

This is a good elaboration on the advice not to cold shower on an already cold body.

Cold showering on a warm body does not lower the core temperature and the cycle of vasodilation and vasoconstriction are temporary.

NB: I am not medically qualified - but I am reasonably sure of my facts. If you have doubts or known circulatory or heart conditions then obviously do your checks first.

Funny to see this thread resurface after so long :)

Who has had a cold-shower as a result of reading this thread - a few people told me in PM.

I am still doing it - its become "normal" for me now.

I still like warm showers too - so hooray for solar hot water heating and whichever University that invented Evacuated Tubes :) (May have been Sydney's actually)

John..

The other thing about cold showers is that having three adams apples isn't so comfortable.
You get a funny voice too!

[Anchor]

The other thing about cold showers is that having three adams apples isn't so comfortable.
You get a funny voice too!

LOL!

Another symptom "shrinkage"

[Teakai]

:lol: No fear.
I think taking practise cold showers is a bit like wearing a training bra. Needless suffering. (Unless you enjoy it, of course)

If it gets to the stage where cold showers is the only option I will just go smelly until the weather warms up. Or heat water if possible.

[aroundthetable]

I can't even stand the cold drips before the shower gets hot.

[dukes4monny]

Funny to see this thread resurface after so long :)

Who has had a cold-shower as a result of reading this thread - a few people told me in PM.

I am still doing it - its become "normal" for me now.


John..

Well, I must admit that I have started taking cold showers first thing in the morning after reading this thread........what a wonderful experience it is!
It does take some mental preparation, the gasping for breath takes some suppressing, but once mastered, the coldness of the water is soon forgotten.
The whole of my body feels as though I have had a wonderful massage afterwards and makes my meditation very relaxing indeed!

Thanks for the thread :cool:

[Fred Steeves]

What's the wrap on the SP factor in shampoo?


Cheers,
Fred S.

[Anchor]

What's the wrap on the SP factor in shampoo?

Sorry I don't understand the question.

[Fred Steeves]

Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free though natch), Soap and Shampoo. However: nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.



O.K., took me a bit to re-find it Anchor, I was on cup of coffee #1 when I came across that little diddly here this morning.

I assumed it was shampoo you were referring to, so I just read the ingredients in my shampoo. Found (Ammonium) Laureth Sulfate, but not Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Cheers,
Fred S.

[Karma Ninja]

Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free though natch), Soap and Shampoo. However: nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.



O.K., took me a bit to re-find it Anchor, I was on cup of coffee #1 when I came across that little diddly here this morning.

I assumed it was shampoo you were referring to, so I just read the ingredients in my shampoo. Found (Ammonium) Laureth Sulfate, but not Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Cheers,
Fred S.

SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is an ingredient used to make the shampoo and other products more bubbly. It is also extremely toxic and should be avoided http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sls-JACT-report.html It is very commonly found in childrens and baby shampoos. Avoid using it as there are a number of products that are SLS free in health sections of grocery stores and health food stores.

On the note of the original thread. I take cold showers regularly and can attest to some wonderful effects. When the weather is hot and humid it can be like having an internal air conditioner for a while after the shower. Very refreshing and not for the faint of heart. Here in Canada, during the winter, the water is almost unbearable so I mix in a little warm water.

It will toughen the softest of people...

[Ontarioguy]

I had been to a naturopath a few years back, and it was suggested when showering, that in order to get maximum therapeutic benefits, to switch back & forth from hot to cold by gradaully adjusting the temp of the water. And to do a few cylces of this while showering. I am certain my pulse increased the first time I lowered the temp, lol.

[Flash]

The other thing about cold showers is that having three adams apples isn't so comfortable.
You get a funny voice too!

LOL!

Another symptom "shrinkage"

And lights on high beams for women.

Jokes apart, it seems that cold showers substantially improve the immune system capacities.


Cold water helps to keep your blood pressure stabilized. One of the reasons that people have been known to survive for a long time while submerged in freezing water is because the body has a natural reaction known as the autonomic nervous system. This system controls such bodily functions as breathing and heart rate. Cold water works by triggering the autonomic nervous system, which raises blood pressure. The more you expose your body to cold water, the stronger the autonomic response gets. So by showering with cold water each day you may in fact be also stabilizing your circulatory system for the long run.
Cold water doesn’t just trigger the autonomic nervous system, it also causes cytokines and similar substances in the body to be released. Cytokines and those other substances are essentially like hormones, and their triggered release is thought to improve the body’s immune system. Several studies have found that patients who underwent cold water therapy actually experienced an increase in levels of white blood cells, which are used to stem off disease.

As if that weren’t enough, consider also that cold water stimulates the body to release endorphins. Endorphins are those hormones that not only give you that “runner’s high” after any kind of intense workout (including sex), but also are key in fighting off pain. In essence, endorphins are the body’s own natural pain relievers and, unlike certain pharmaceutical companies, the body doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg to use them.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/43477/cold_water_therapy_cold_showers_arent.html


cold showers fight depression


Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression☆

Nikolai A. Shevchuk


Received 10 April 2007; accepted 18 April 2007. published online 12 November 2007.

Summary
Depression is a debilitating mood disorder that is among the top causes of disability worldwide. It can be characterized by a set of somatic, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, one of which is a high risk of suicide. This work presents a hypothesis that depression may be caused by the convergence of two factors: (A) A lifestyle that lacks certain physiological stressors that have been experienced by primates through millions of years of evolution, such as brief changes in body temperature (e.g. cold swim), and this lack of “thermal exercise” may cause inadequate functioning of the brain. (B) Genetic makeup that predisposes an individual to be affected by the above condition more seriously than other people.

To test the hypothesis, an approach to treating depression is proposed that consists of adapted cold showers (20°C, 2–3min, preceded by a 5-min gradual adaptation to make the procedure less shocking) performed once or twice daily. The proposed duration of treatment is several weeks to several months.

The following evidence appears to support the hypothesis: Exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline and to increase synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain as well. Additionally, due to the high density of cold receptors in the skin, a cold shower is expected to send an overwhelming amount of electrical impulses from peripheral nerve endings to the brain, which could result in an anti-depressive effect. Practical testing by a statistically insignificant number of people, who did not have sufficient symptoms to be diagnosed with depression, showed that the cold hydrotherapy can relieve depressive symptoms rather effectively. The therapy was also found to have a significant analgesic effect and it does not appear to have noticeable side effects or cause dependence. (LOL. guess why??? Unpleasant! hi hi) In conclusion, wider and more rigorous studies would be needed to test the validity of the hypothesis.


http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/S0306-9877(07)00566-X/abstract

I had forgotten how good it was. I may start again.

From a Canadian who was camping in the wild when young and swimming in cold lakes. Enjoy!

[Mark Aldebaran]

Cold showers have another purpose:
If you've ever had a cranio-sacral 'reset' you will know that a cold shower has the same effect.
Their (cranio-sacral practitioners) explanation is that the reset restarts the cerebral-spinal pulse, allowing it to resynchronize with other body rhythms. (You can find a lot of cranio-sacral on the internet.)

My take on this is that the shock momentarily detaches the soul allowing for a clean reconnection.
The commonest application of this in our culture is the 'total immersion' baptism in a cold river.

PS. I live in Florida and have a cold shower every day.
On a business trip to Maine I turned on the cold and stepped in the shower and just about froze to death.
Cold is a relative thing...

[conk]

" The number of particles in the blood, such as platelets, red blood cells, fibrinogen and cholesterol, increases in cold conditions (high platelets level) and make the blood thicker (increased blood viscosity). Some tests showed an increase in viscosity by up to 21%. The risk of blood clots developing increases also and, together with the high viscosity, may lead to blocked blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs. "

So, we should ensure we are getting adequate vitamin K to keep the blood thin and all should be ok. Omega-3 Fatty Acids will help also.

[Anchor]

Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free though natch), Soap and Shampoo. However: nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.



O.K., took me a bit to re-find it Anchor, I was on cup of coffee #1 when I came across that little diddly here this morning.

I assumed it was shampoo you were referring to, so I just read the ingredients in my shampoo. Found (Ammonium) Laureth Sulfate, but not Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

Cheers,
Fred S.

LOL - I see, well "(sp)" simply meant I was not sure of the spelling of Sulfate ! Others have answered this well

[Anchor]

As the water temperatures reduce in Sydney now that we are moving into our colder months I was thinking about the comments about temperature.

There is no such thing as a shower that is too cold :)

If it is too cold, then the water freezes and you cant shower - so it is in this respect self limiting !

The main factor is that you should not cold to begin with - you should be warm in fact - and have warm stuff to wrap up in very soon after.

I have noticed that going in face first reduces the "shock" as it triggers the mammalian dive reflex - this works well to help with the OMFG factor.

My shower this morning was very cold and I loved it :)

I am very happy to see this thread again after all this time. I hope some more people take the plunge.

John..

[Fred Steeves]

:dance: Alrighty then. Mystery solved.

Cheers,
Fred S.

[Normalguy31]

My Father, and Grandfather have poor circulation in their legs which causes nasty black skin. I have beginning stages of this on my legs.

Ahh what the hell, I'm taking a cold plunge in the morning!

Thanks for the info. I have never heard anything about this.

[Flash]

As the water temperatures reduce in Sydney now that we are moving into our colder months I was thinking about the comments about temperature.

There is no such thing as a shower that is too cold :) you haven't live in Canada! It can be so cold as to give you an instant head ache.

If it is too cold, then the water freezes and you cant shower - so it is in this respect self limiting !Wrong, rivers do not always freeze in winter and yet, you are dead in it within 4 mninutes. I propose that you don't try it. ;)

The main factor is that you should not cold to begin with - you should be warm in fact - and have warm stuff to wrap up in very soon after. true
I have noticed that going in face first reduces the "shock" as it triggers the mammalian dive reflex - this works well to help with the OMFG factor. In fact, you made me remember, it is mostly wettng the back of your neck, right below the cranium, that will help. You splash it with cold water, it helps your body temperature to go slightly down before you dip the whole in cold water. It works, believe me. Putting cold water on the wrists first will also help. The last is the back of knees.
My shower this morning was very cold and I loved it :)

I am very happy to see this thread again after all this time. I hope some more people take the plunge.

John..

However, if you ever come by in this nice country of ours, part of the commonwealth (although this makes no difference at all), you are welcome to come in winter and try the cold, very cold shower, but not the cold rivers, I would not want to lose you.

[Referee]

Anchor, Thanks for the post. I took a normal warm shower but ended this morning with cold water. I felt more alert, awake and alive. I did not fell foggy like I needed a second cup of coffee.

Thank You!

[Anchor]

However, if you ever come by in this nice country of ours, part of the commonwealth (although this makes no difference at all), you are welcome to come in winter and try the cold, very cold shower, but not the cold rivers, I would not want to lose you.

To be fair, I hope it is clear that I am talking about showers in a domestic setting, with great care taken before, during and after - and all relevant medical precautions and professional advice where necessary being taken into account.

Domestic showers will freeze before the water gets too cold and yes, there is a big difference with a shower and total immersion and between still and running water.

Immersion in cold running water is a death sentence. Though I have seen pictures of nutters in Iceland cutting holes in ice and taking a plunge bath in sub-zero!

For the avoidance of doubt I measured the water temperature from my shower at the weekend it was 4 degrees Celsius. This is the coldest I have ever done it - that was one of the shorter showers :)

[Noble Hops]

Worked with a Sikh named Randy about four years ago. I was a little stand-offish at first (based on the towel and beard), but the guy turned out to be cool as hell-- gave me his own copy of a Meat Puppets greatest hits CD one day, too.

Over the next few months, watched a bunch of good interviews with Guruka Singh Khalsa on YouTube. Frankly, I think the Sikhs are overly fixated on body hair, but they have a lot of great practical/spiritual knowledge for everyday life.

Getting back to the OP: Thanks for the inspiration to have the guts to attempt a cold shower in the morning. :p

[Normalguy31]

I took my first cold shower this morning, and I am definitely awake! I also feel kind of revitalized. My whole body seems like it is pumping off more heat that usual. Better blood flow I suppose. I like it! doing it again tomorrow.

Thanks for the knowledge. One of the many reasons I love Avalon, and the people in it.

[jegz]

meditation is improved long term or one meditates better after a cold shower?

[Lord Sidious]

meditation is improved long term or one meditates better after a cold shower?

Dunno, but it isn't so easy to talk when you have three adams apples! :peace:

[Anchor]

meditation is improved long term or one meditates better after a cold shower?

My experience is improvement for the situation when you meditate after the shower, after having got dressed - so for me that is 10-15 minutes afterwards.

Meditation long term is improved by ongoing practise at meditation - so it is hard to say if cold showers have an influence or not.

[Arrowwind]

Leave it to them Sikhs to find ways to make your life torturous. Having lived at Yogi Bhajan's place for a while, I assure you, they have figured out every device possible to make life uncomfortable, except for yogi (chai tea) tea, of course, the one exception.

[bearcow]

water can hold yin chi most efficiently slightly above the freezing point. Supposedly 38 F is the optimal temperature.