The Health Benefits of Cold Showering

​How to Take Cold Showers + The Health Benefits

I learned about Cold Showers from Yogi Bhajan and have written the details of how to take cold showers and the benefits that I have learned and experienced over the years.

I hope you practice this - even if it's only in the warm months - and I’d love to hear your experiences and any benefit you notice. I can share them in a future (blog) post with a focus on the benefits! Enjoy your alive, energized, awakened and healthy self!

1. Before getting into the shower give yourself a rub down all over your body with Almond Oil. Almond oil is excellent for your skin, helps to insulate you from the cold and its texture won’t leave you feeling greasy. Other oils can be used, each oil has different aspects and benefits. I recommend Almond Oil for everyone and it is what I have used for years.

2. After the almond oil massage, step into the shower and turn on the cold water faucet to the desired pressure. Let the cold water strike your body while you briskly massage the water into your skin. Keep moving to get warm, but do not do breath of fire or Kapalabhati breathing. Then, step out of the spray of the shower water and continue to massage the skin. Then, step back in, massage yourself while you are under the spray of the cold water. Step out again and continue this process at least four times. By the fourth time, you will feel warm under the shower, even thought the water is still cold. This is because the capillaries have opened up and brought blood to the surface of the skin.

3. Specific techniques to do in the shower:

• With your index fingers vigorously massage the bridge of you nose (both sides)- this will keep you from catching colds.
• While standing under the water, massage the bottom of each foot by rubbing one foot on the top of the other foot- this gives a massage to the whole body.
• When washing under the arms use your knuckles and rub very vigorously - this will break up deposits in the glands under the arms and help to keep you from getting sick.
• WOMEN- thoroughly massage the breasts while standing under the cold water. This is an excellent and very important cancer preventative.
  
  

4. Once out of the shower, dry thoroughly and dress warmly. One special towel technique: vigorously “buff your bottom” back and forth with the towel, the same way you might dry your back. This is an added benefit that will give you energy all day.

5. Special note for women: During menstruation, do not take a cold shower. Use lukewarm water during days of flow.

What does a cold shower do for you??? 

• Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems which deeply strengthens the Immune system and brings the power of resistance to the body. Releases norepinephrine, an adrenal hormone that elevates your mood, helping to prevent or eliminate depression and anxiety 
• Cleanses the lymphatic system by contracting the muscles and causing them to eliminate toxins and poisons quickly—very detoxifying!
• Promotes subtle weight loss.
• Keeps the skin young and shining and reduces inflammation, tighten pores, and seal hair follicles for shiny locks. 
• Cleans the circulatory system.
• Reduces blood pressure on the internal organs, thereby flushing internal organs, giving them a new supply of blood 
• Strengthens the mucus membranes. 
• This practice is good for the liver. 
• Balances the glands AND MORE!!

I’d love to hear what you think after trying this. Please tell me about your experiences and any noticeable benefits after doing this for one week or longer.