Cold shower: The benefits are endless

It turns out that taking cold showers has numerous benefits for the human body. Willpower, breath, and cold therapy instructor Doruk Taraktaş said, "With regular cold showers, the mind and body learn to control their breathing in cold water, and therefore, learn to control the stress response." Here are the endless positive effects of cold showers on the human body...

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You may have heard that cold showers are taken for muscle aches, faster recovery, improvements in the immune system, and to increase cold tolerance. In addition to this, the benefits of cold water therapies in the treatment of chronic stress, anxiety, and depression are also being researched, and positive results are being observed.

Anxiety and depression are mental health conditions that can also arise due to chronic stress, causing excessive fear and worry, and disconnecting us from life.

Although occasional anxiety and stress are a normal part of life, anxiety disorders and depression can make our daily lives, work, and social lives difficult.

Depression and chronic anxiety can be treated in various ways by mental health professionals. They can also add cold showers as a complementary method to treatments.

DO COLD SHOWERS WORK?

There are many studies on the physiological and mental effects of cold showers that help minimize symptoms of anxiety and depression. The common ground of these studies is that cold showers reduce chronic stress and provide improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms.

Wim Hof Method (Willpower, Breath, and Cold Therapies) instructor Doruk Taraktaş said the following about the subject:

“With regular cold showers, the mind and body learn to control their breathing in cold water, and therefore, learn to control and exercise the stress response. The body, which adapts to cold water, secretes dopamine, endorphins, and norepinephrine hormones that make us feel strong, happy, and healthy. It reduces inflammation in the body."

STRESS DECREASES

Continuing his words, Taraktaş said, "When we get out of a cold shower, the wonderful feeling of having succeeded replaces the thoughts that cause depression and anxiety. Stress levels (hormones) decrease. As the mental and physiological effects of chronic stress are brought under control, a reduction in chronic inflammation and an improvement in mind-body health begin.

Depression and anxiety start as thoughts in the mind and affect our body. Every morning, when faced with a cold shower, our mind says 'Don't do it.'

Taking a step toward this thought and being able to stay in control within the discomfort (cold water) begins to strengthen our willpower. The body does not control the mind; the mind begins to control the body. This is the skill with which healing begins,” he stated.

Doruk Taraktaş gave the following advice to those struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, and depression:

-Do not hesitate to consult a specialist.

-Sleep is the number one medicine; sleep well. Insomnia increases your stress, depression, and anxiety.

-Do not eat junk food; pay attention to your diet. Do intermittent water fasting 1-2 days a week.

-Definitely exercise and play sports. You will secrete plenty of dopamine and endorphin hormones, which are very important for mind-body health, and your stress hormone levels will decrease.

-Adopt meditation and other mindfulness techniques. Especially add breathing exercises to your life. You can alleviate symptoms of chronic stress, depression, and anxiety with daily meditation and deep breathing exercises. You can start with just a few minutes a day.

-You can reduce chronic stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms with short cold showers you take every morning and other suggestions, and you can be much healthier.

News Source: 12punto