Health

Cold showers are the secret 2 minutes to a better day and healthier life!

Most enjoy a hot shower but turning the temperature down can have a great impact on our lives and be beneficial as the temperatures start to dip. While you may be thinking that the cold water has frozen my brain, taking a cold shower has many benefits. It will help you become a HEALTHY HUNTER!
In case you still doubt me, here are a few reasons you should try a cold shower! 

Immune system boost

Cold showers increase your metabolic rate as the body attempts to warm itself. This activates the immune system to releases white blood cells which fight disease helping us to decrease our risk of getting sick. And less sickness means we can use our sick days to spend more time hunting!

Improved circulation, recovery, and cardiovascular health

Recovery and circulation are improved when the body feels cold as it sends blood deep into the organs and muscles to keep them warm. It also helps to rid the body of toxins as the lymphatic system drains with contractions caused by the cold. The increased blood circulation decreases the risk of hypertension and the hardening of the arteries.

Reduces stress

Tolerating cold water increases our response to stressful situations. Similar to exercise a cold shower is controlled positive stress, also known as eustress. Eustress (good stress) boosts glutathione and decreases uric acid in the blood which helps us to handle the unknown stresses that we face on a daily basis.

Hormonal balance

Hot water has been related to infertility while cold exposure increases testosterone production in men. Testosterone has a direct correlation to body composition, overall strength, and energy levels as well as having a positive effect on our DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.

Decrease fat

Along with the fat burning that comes along with improved hormone balance and shivering, cold exposure improves our fat profile. Research has shown that cold exposure improves brown fat while decreasing white fat. White fat is unhealthy while brown fat is metabolic. Cold temperature exposure can increase the metabolic rate of brown fat up to fifteen times.

Increase alertness and improve mood

Step into a cold shower first thing in the morning and it will definitely wake you up in a hurry! The electrical shock sent through our nerves when the cold water hits us gets our heart pumping and gets us breathing deeply. When the cold water hits you, the brain releases noradrenaline which increases our alertness improves mood and mitigates depression. A cold blast in the morning will awaken and have us stepping out of the shower invigorated and energetic ready to tackle the day head-on.

Physical improvement

Coldwater keeps our skin and hair healthy. While hot water dries our skin out and damages our hair. Turning the temperature down tightens cuticles and pores preventing them from getting clogged and preventing the skin from losing too many of its natural oils and decrease the risk of drying and cracking that often occurs. Plus cold decreases hair loss!

Mental toughness, willpower, and resilience

Jumping in a cold shower first thing in the morning is not a natural instinct and takes a degree of willpower and mental toughness. But by getting a blast of cold water in our face every morning we develop more will power and become more resilient. Plus doing something tough first thing in the morning makes the rest of the day easier to handle. If some cut us off in traffic, the boss gives us a tough assignment, or if we are just having ‘one of those days’, we can always think back and be grateful we’re not in a cold shower. 

On top of all these health benefits, cold showers will make the cold days in the woods better. Cold exposure helps our body to become adapted to the cold. It will also help you to become mentally tougher and you’ll be able to stay a little longer in the stand. 

Yeah, cold showers are great but being blasted with ice-cold water for the first 5 minutes of the morning may be a little much to handle. In order to work our way into a cold shower begin with a normal shower and at the end of the shower turn the hot water down. Stand under the cold water for as long as you can. Breathe deeply. Over time, decrease the amount of hot water and increase the length of time standing under the cold water.

How to implement a cold shower

• Start off with a hot shower as usual.
• After wash and rinse, turn the hot water down as you turn the cold water up.
• Stand in the cold water as long as you can stand it taking deep breathes (but don’t hyperventilate).
• Breathe and enjoy the cold for up to 5 minutes as you can tolerate.
• Step out of the shower alert, energized, and invigorated (can turn the water back to hot if you feel before stepping out if you feel frozen)
• Dry off and get dressed confidently you are healthier and ready to tackle any challenges that the world may throw your way!!
• Over time, decrease the amount of hot water and increase the length of time standing under the cold water to reap more benefits from the cold shower. 

Get BIGGA!!!!!
– Brooks