COLD SHOWERS LINKED TO 31 PER CENT FEWER SICK DAYS IN A NEW STUDY
If the thought of a cold shower makes you shiver, you might want to brace yourself for some surprising news.
A new study from Switzerland has found that people who switched to cold showers took 31 per cent fewer sick days than those who didn't.
With summer around the corner in Australia, there may never be a better time to give it a try.
What the cold showers study found
The research comes from the University of Basel's Faculty of Psychology and forms part of the doctoral work of psychologist and psychotherapist Dr Lena Glaser.
The study involved 719 healthy adults aged 18 to 65 who didn't already take cold showers, according to EurekAlert.
For 12 weeks, participants were asked to shower as cold as their shower allowed.
On average, they took 31 per cent fewer sick days than a control group.
They also reported feeling unwell on 26 per cent fewer days, SWI swissinfo reported.
More than just fewer sniffles
Those who stuck with it said they felt better mentally and physically.
Many described feeling more awake and refreshed, and proud of themselves for pushing through.
Dr Glaser summed it up neatly: "Taking a cold shower isn't exactly pleasant, but it's a small change to make."
The first two weeks are the hardest
Plenty of people dropped out in the first couple of weeks.
After that, the drop-outs slowed down, which Dr Glaser believes points to a habituation effect.
In other words, once you get past the initial shock, your body and mind seem to get used to it.
She also stressed that the water doesn't need to be equally cold every day, which is a comforting thought on a chilly morning.
A bonus for your power bill
There's an environmental and money-saving upside too.
The researchers say dropping a 45-litre shower from 40°C to 15°C saves about 1.3 kWh of energy.
Over 12 weeks, that cut carbon emissions by about 15kg per person, roughly the same as driving 100km.
With energy bills a worry for many households, that's a handy side benefit.
A few words of caution
This research was part of a doctoral dissertation shared in a university press release, rather than a published journal paper.
Wellbeing was self-reported, and we don't yet know whether people kept up the habit after the study ended.
Cold water can also cause a sudden spike in heart rate and breathing.
If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or any other health concern, check with your GP before trying it.
How to ease into cold showers
You don't have to jump straight into icy water.
Start with your usual warm shower, then turn the tap to cool for the last 15 to 30 seconds.
Each week, make the cool part a little longer, or the water a little colder.
Breathe slowly and steadily while the cold water hits, rather than holding your breath.
Start with your arms and legs before letting the water run over your back and chest.
Be kind to yourself on the days you're not feeling brave, and simply go a little warmer.
Avoid very cold showers straight after intense exercise if you feel light-headed, and always take care on slippery tiles.
If you start shivering for a long time afterwards, you've overdone it, so go a little warmer next time.
Is it worth a try?
For a free habit that takes only a few minutes, the potential payoff looks pretty appealing.
Fewer sick days, a brighter mood and a smaller energy bill are hard to argue with.
And with Aussie summer days heating up, a cool shower may soon feel less like a challenge and more like a treat.
