What are cold showers good for?

I made a list of the reasons why it's a good idea to occasionally - or regularly - shower in cold water or take a cold bath, as well as the things cold water isn't good for.

Sometimes, it's worth bracing the cold because:

1. it improves your mood – it's no coincidence that the Northern people like taking icy baths
2. it refreshes your sense and makes you more energetic – if you get used to it, you can actually enjoy gradually warming up after the shivering cold
3. it contract the veins – after washing your face with lukewarm water, patting your face a few times with cold water can help gently contract the pores

A few reasons why it's not worth putting up with the unpleasant cold:

• it won't help you lose weight – although numerous experiments were conducted in the matter, unfortunately, they were unable to prove that in itself, bathing in cold water is suitable for this purpose. However, it might be a good idea to do some sports or go hiking in the cold weather if you want to lose a few kilos!
• it won't make your hair shinier – it's no coincidence that they don't wash your hair in cold water at the hairdresser's since it can damage your scalp if you're prone to dandruff
• it doesn't help improve cellulite or vasodilation – however, alternating cold and warm jets of water can help improve these conditions by stimulating the microcirculation of the skin.

However, the best advice is to avoid bathing in hot water for longer periods or standing under the shower for ages, no matter how good it feels after a long day and the shivering cold on your way home. Baths longer than 10-20 minutes and warmer than your body temperature can put a strain on your system and be exhausting instead of refreshing you and they also parch your skin. If you're coping with dry skin and eczema during the winter or other skin conditions which cause rashes, it's good to know that hot water will only impede these conditions by dissolving the protective layer of natural oils.