Why would anyone deliberately get into a cold shower in the middle of winter? It sounds absurd for most of us, until we learn why people are doing it.

Last November I listened to the Wim Hof Method audiobook and began implementing his practices. Yes, cold exposure if one of the 3 fundamentals of his method, along with breathing exercises and meditation techniques.

This post will only cover the benefits of cold showers, which have been reported by many people who have experimented with the process, myself included.

For the past two months, I have been taking cold showers at the end of my hot shower and while they definitely start out a little bit challenging, I now look forward to them and definitely enjoy the benefits of them.

So what are the benefits of cold showers?

• Increased metabolism - When we’re exposed to cold, we burn more calories to help keep us warm. A faster metabolism also helps us with weight loss.

• Improved circulation - Cold water can helps to improve blood flow, which can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Higher insulin sensitivity - The more you expose your body to cold, the more “brown fat” you develop. This healthier fat helps to clear glucose out of your system which decreases your risk of diabetes.

• Reduce Inflammation - Cold water helps keep inflammation in check, which also boosts our immune system.

• Improved Respiration - Getting used to the cold shower causes us to breathe more deeply as we adapt. This deeper breathing helps to reduces stress while increasing lung capacity.

• More energy & better moods - Taking a cold shower is very invigorating. Our nervous system is stimulated as we expose our body to the cold water and endorphins are released, which are “feel good” hormones.

• Better skin & hair - The cold water helps tighten our pores and close hair cuticles which can lead to skin that is less oily and healthier hair.

While all of the above are wonderful benefits of cold exposure, one of my favorites is that the more I take cold showers, the warmer I am in general because we are conditioning our bodies to better tolerate the cold.

It’s counter intuitive, and really no one WANTS to get into the cold initially, but it feels amazing once you’re done. You get out of the shower and start to get warm, versus getting out of the warm shower and getting cold.

Since you have increased your blood flow, developed more brown fat, engaged in deep breathing, stimulated your nervous system, these factors seem to help keep the body warmer.

It definitely wears off after a while, but the more cold exposure, the warmer the body tends to stay.

WARNING: Cold showers are not for everyone. Always consult with your doctor if you have any medical conditions or health concerns.

Action Steps:

Take a 21 day cold water challenge and start experiencing the benefits for yourself.

• Week 1 - Start with a 15 second cold shower at the end of your warm shower, essentially just putting your hands, arms, legs and feet into the cold. Breathe deeply as you feel the cold.

• Week 2 - Take a 30 second cold shower at the end of your warm shower, trying to get a bit more of your body exposed to the cold during that time.

• Week 3 - Double your time in the cold to 60 seconds, which should allow you to expose all of your body (briefly) to the cold water by the end. Again, start with the warm shower and end with the cold.

If you’ve made it through the 3 weeks, I encourage you to stick with it and work your way up to 2 minutes, making the cold shower part of your morning routine. You can always start with the warm and end with cold.

You may just be amazed at how you feel if you’re brave enough to battle the cold!

If you want more information about the Wim Hof Method, click here.