With the clocks going back this weekend and the weather being autumnal for a while now, the winter time will soon be upon us. Taking proactive measures to keep healthy by keeping your immune system strong is a great idea all year round but carries particularly increased importance this time of year.

One great way you can keep your immune system strong is by taking cold showers, often referred to as cold water therapy.

Taking a cold shower is not always easy to do and requires a degree of willpower to turn the dial right down when you’re already acclimated to a warmer temperature or you’ve just come out of a sauna or steam room – but you won’t regret it.

Exposure to cold water has been shown to stimulate the immune system in a positive way and have many hormonal benefits. There has recently been a strong link identified between cold water and increased dopamine levels in the brain which means it acts as a strong antidepressant. Sounds great right!

One clinical trial in the Netherlands showed that cold showers led to a decreased in people calling off sick from work by 29%. Just from a cold shower people are getting ill less…. am I talking you round yet?

Cold showers can also be effective in reducing muscle soreness after intense periods of exercise therefore aiding the recovery process.

Having said that, hot showers also play a role in this process and can help increase blood flow post workout. Hot showers are also beneficial with regards to relaxing muscles and reducing fatigue as well as removing toxins from the body making a post workout shower of some kind very beneficial.

My recommendation is do both hot and cold showers making sure not to ignore the cold which will be easier said than done if you aren’t really used to it and the temperature continues to plummet outside. Set yourself a starter challenge by exposing yourself gradually that for every two hot showers you will do one cold only and start by finishing warm showers with a cold blast of at least 20 seconds

You won’t regret it!!