Cold showers: Any benefits?

Hey, 19-year-old here.

I’ve spent the last year tweaking my daily routine and stumbled upon a few core principles that have totally reshaped how I live my life.
One of them is:
1) Cold showers.

Hot water actually messes with a guy's testosterone levels;
so even though it feels great, I decided to commit to freezing showers all year round.
I’ve been doing this pretty much non-stop since 2017, except for those rare times when I'm actually sick and can't handle it.
My experience and the results:
- a sense of zen after getting out
- building serious willpower
- higher libido
- better fertility
- handling stress way more effectively
- improved blood circulation

Besides the cold showers, I'm practicing NoFap (basically staying celibate until I find a girlfriend), hitting the local gym for light workouts, working in the garden,
learning how to cook some decent meals, and messing around on the guitar.

Moving forward, I want to work on my cold approach—actually walking up to girls my age—as well as just striking up conversations with people at bus stops or other public spots.

I deal with social anxiety, so the goal is to crush that and get to a point where I can talk to anyone.

What's the consensus on this?
Anyone else here into the whole cold shower thing?

Are you guys planning on giving it a shot?
It’s brutal at first, but eventually, it kind of becomes fun because you're essentially winning a fight against your own discomfort.

Even after two years, those cold showers still suck, but I push through those few minutes because the payoff is incredible. My focus sharp려ens and my energy levels just soar. Of course, it isn't for everyone... but it really just comes down to habit.

I’m currently on day 70 of NoFap, and I’ve already seen plenty of benefits—I actually wrote a detailed breakdown about that in another thread.

This summer, I practiced approaching people a few times, and it actually worked. I felt like I knew exactly what to say in different situations. Granted, things were more relaxed since I was out on vacation at the beach, but it was still a win for me, considering how much I used to avoid talking to strangers just a couple of years ago. I still deal with occasional anxiety, though it's become quite rare.

I'm also planning to get back into the gym soon. It's been a few months. Between that, studying Spanish, and finishing up my degree, I'm trying to stay proactive. Procrastination and laziness—which I used to blame on low testosterone—really cost me a few years of my life.
I also fast on specific days; once every two weeks, I do a 36-hour fast, which gives my testosterone and energy levels a massive boost.

It looks like you've realized the benefits of these habits early on. You're only 19, so keep it up...

restlessdriver said:Even after two years, jumping into a cold shower is still a struggle, but I power through those few minutes because the payoff is insane—better focus, energy levels through the roof. Obviously, it’s not for everyone... but it’s all about getting used to it.

I'm currently sitting at day 70 of NoFap, and I've definitely felt the perks; I actually broke that down in another thread.

I tried using the "cold approach" a few times this summer and it worked out pretty well. It was like I just knew exactly what to say in the moment. Granted, people are more laid back during the summer when they're hanging out at the beach, but it's still a win since just a couple of years ago, I would've avoided talking to anyone I didn't know at all costs. I still get hit with anxiety every now and then, but it’s rare.

I'm also planning to get back into the gym. It hasn't been months, but I'm also learning German, finishing up my degree, and trying to stay proactive because procrastination and laziness (which I blame on low testosterone) basically stole a few years of my life.
Plus, I fast on certain days; once every two weeks, I do a 36-hour fast, and it gives my testosterone and energy levels a massive boost.

Looks like you caught onto the benefits of these habits early on. You're only 19, man—keep it up.

Awesome work, 70 days of NoFap🙏

I'm only on day 3 and there's no way I'm stopping.