Cold Showers vs. Hot Showers: The Health Benefits of Both

by Heather Dale 5

The other night I caught myself saying, "There's nothing quite like a hot shower." Yikes — what's happening to me? Have showers become the highlight of my existence, the pinnacle of pleasure? A typical shower for me consists of doing a usual routine under a blazing hot waterfall of water — certainly for more than the recommended 10-minute time limit (to prevent dry skin). So what's so wrong with my technique? If it makes me happy, it can't be that bad, right?

Well let's start with the pros about taking hot showers. A hot shower can warm you up on a cold morning, relax you after a workout, and calm you before bed. It also acts as a natural decongestant to relieve cold symptoms. The hot steam will moisturize your nasal passages and if you're running a slight fever, a hot shower can help break it. And if you have a powerful showerhead like mine, the hot water will soothe stiff muscles and relieve a stiff neck.

But what about cold showers? Here's why you may want to turn down the temps.

Cold showers — as painful unbearable as they are — are actually really good for us. Turning your shower cold for the last five minutes can help "shock" your body awake. This instant change in temperature relieves your body of fatigue and increases your mental alertness. A "cooler" shower (around 68 degrees) for two to three minutes once or twice daily is also recommended by researchers as a treatment for depression — just make sure you check in with your doctor before testing this out, especially if you have any heart problems.

Why else is it better for us? Well it is better for our hair and complexion and if your shower is too hot, you can risk overheating your organs. And for all the men out there? Spending more than 30 minutes in water that is hotter than 102-Fahrenheit may lower your sperm count (just like saunas and steam rooms). If you don't want to take cooler showers for your organs, do it for the children!