CheckEmoji Community · the emoji forum
🏠 Home 🆕 What's new ❓ Unanswered 🔥 Popular 📡 RSS Members 👥 0 online
log in · register
Home › Lifestyle › Health › How water temperature affects your health during showers and baths

How water temperature affects your health during showers and baths

Started by Matthew Williams47 · · 👁 4 views · 29 replies

📡 Subscribe to replies

Participants Matthew Williams47Arthur Ruiz2Keith Thomas21John Castillo7Timothy Morgan38urbantiger96James Anderson13Angela WrightCasey Palmer5William Sanders5mistyjackal842Ryan Gomez4Gregory Jones15mellowbear14Jeremy RobertsJessica Morris6Andrew Peterson2Samuel ParkerRichard James23neonbison67Kyle Hughescrimsonfox26Daniel Ortiz15
Matthew Williams47 Matthew Williams47 NewcomerOP
5 messages
joined Dec 2007
#1 ·
Is taking cold showers actually healthy?

I’ve started doing this regularly lately—just wondering if there are any downsides I should watch out for...

Thanks
Arthur Ruiz2 Arthur Ruiz2 Active Member
115 messages
joined May 2005
#2 ·
Matthew Williams47 said:Is taking cold showers actually healthy?

I've started making this a regular part of my routine, so I was wondering if there could be any negative side effects...

Thanks

The best approach is probably alternating between hot and cold water, since that really helps boost circulation. You see people up in Maine or Alaska who dive into freezing water and then jump straight into a warm shower; they often say doing that two or three times a week helps strengthen the immune system, can even help with gout, and significantly improves blood flow.
Matthew Williams47 Matthew Williams47 NewcomerOP
5 messages
joined Dec 2007
#3 ·
Karen Nguyen said:Switching back and forth between hot and cold water is the way to go—it’s great for circulation. I know people up in Seattle who dive into freezing water and then jump straight into a hot shower; they swear doing that a couple of times a week boosts your immunity, helps with gout, and gets the blood flowing better.

man, that’s literally what I do!!🙂

but now I'm low-key freaking out because I heard some crap about how ice baths can make you sterile... is that even real!?
Keith Thomas21 Keith Thomas21 Member
47 messages
joined Nov 2007
#4 ·
Personally, I wouldn’t advise you to jump into a cold shower just yet. I remember reading somewhere that it was supposed to be great for circulation and keeping your skin firm, so I made a habit of doing it regularly—even in the dead of winter here in Chicago. That little experiment resulted in a brutal bout of pneumonia that lingered for three agonizing months. It really makes you question what’s actually worth the risk. If you're dealing with poor circulation, you might find more benefit in just alternating between hot and cold water on your feet rather than subjecting your entire body to the shock.
John Castillo7 John Castillo7 Newcomer
1 message
joined Nov 2014
#5 ·
Taking a cold shower isn't going to give you pneumonia; cold water alone doesn't work like that.
You likely caught that lung infection because you stayed in a room that wasn't warm enough after you got out...
Keith Thomas21 Keith Thomas21 Member
47 messages
joined Nov 2007
#6 ·
I suspect the real culprit was the sheer shock to my system; I had just spent quite some time soaking in water that was practically scalding, only to step immediately under a freezing cold shower. It was a massive, jarring temperature shift, and frankly, I’ve learned my lesson—I won't be making that mistake again during the winter months.
Matthew Williams47 Matthew Williams47 NewcomerOP
5 messages
joined Dec 2007
#7 ·
thanks for all the input, guys 😉
Timothy Morgan38 Timothy Morgan38 Active Member
177 messages
joined Mar 2010
#8 ·
Matthew Williams47 said:well, that's exactly what I'm doing!!🙂

But honestly, I’m kind of freaking out because I heard that swimming in freezing water can actually make you sterile!?

Yeah, if you’re blasting your junk with ice-cold water for long stretches of time...

The reproductive area—and the urinary system in general—doesn't exactly love extreme temperature swings...

But just your standard hot-and-cold shower shouldn't do anything at all, provided you use common sense about how you handle it...

Basically, don't go exposing everything to freezing or scalding water for too long, and I don't think you'll have any issues...
urbantiger96 urbantiger96 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Mar 2007
#9 ·
Matthew Williams47 said:That is exactly what I am doing!!🙂

But honestly, I’m feeling a bit uneasy because I heard a rumor that taking cold plunges could actually make you sterile!?

Don't go splashing cold water on the tip of the cactus
you usually want to use warm water if you're looking for stimulation
dr. urbantiger96
James Anderson13 James Anderson13 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jan 2010
#10 ·
So, I’m trying to figure out if there are any actual long-term consequences to swimming in the ocean during the winter months.

Basically, thanks to a stupid bet I made, I’m forced to go for a swim once a month (I just finished my dip this morning) 🙄 . I want to know if there's a real risk of catching some hidden illness, like the flu, a virus, a nasty cold, or even pneumonia. So far, I haven't caught anything, but should I be genuinely worried about things like rheumatism or whatever else might kick in?

Oddly enough, I actually feel surprisingly great after I get out of the water.😁
Angela Wright Angela Wright Regular
731 messages
joined Feb 2007
#11 ·
James Anderson13 said:So, I'm wondering if there are any long-term consequences to swimming in the ocean during the winter months.

Basically, because of some stupid bet, I have to go skinny dipping in the ocean once a month (I just went this morning) 🙄 , and I want to know if there's any chance of catching something hidden, like the flu, a virus, a cold, or even pneumonia (so far, so good), or should I be worried about things like rheumatism or whatever else might pop up?

Oddly enough, I actually feel strangely great after I get out of the water.😁

If you ask me, I'd bet my life you’d end up with a full-blown combo of ovarian inflammation, bladder issues, and pneumonia. It's wild, though—everyone I know who swims in the cold swears they never get sick, claim they don't catch the flu or colds, and insist they're in peak physical condition.

Look, if it makes you feel good, go ahead and dive in—just report back and let us know how it turns out.👍
James Anderson13 James Anderson13 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jan 2010
#12 ·
Angela Wright said:I’m pretty sure I’d end up with a massive infection in my ovaries, bladder, and lungs all at once. And don't even get me started on those people who swim constantly and swear up and down they never catch anything—no flu, no colds, nothing—claiming they're just perfectly healthy.

Look, if you honestly think it’s doing you good, go ahead and jump in. Just let us know how much trouble you end up in afterward. 👍

Personally, I feel fine right now; my only real worry is dealing with potential rheumatism or something similar later on. 😁

It actually feels quite nice, though, and I'm not feeling particularly cold at the moment. 😂
Casey Palmer5 Casey Palmer5 Regular
470 messages
joined Jan 2016
#13 ·
Oh, don't you worry about any resumes or anything like that, 🙂 just make sure you get nice and warm after your shower...
William Sanders5 William Sanders5 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jul 2011
#14 ·
If you happen to be sensitive about this sort of thing—honestly, it’s pure madness!
mistyjackal842 mistyjackal842 Active Member
206 messages
joined May 2012
#15 ·
I saw this report on CNN about those people who decided to go skinny dipping in the ocean in San Francisco for New Year's. They all came out of the water looking as red as lobsters—it was pretty intense to watch on the news. Personally, I wouldn't even dream of getting in the water if the temperature drops below 66 degrees. I guess the real danger here is probably for the elderly, since they seem to be the ones most likely to brave the cold water during winter. The freezing temperatures constrict your blood vessels, which just isn't good, especially for anyone with heart conditions. It's just such a massive strain on the heart when it's that cold outside.
Ryan Gomez4 Ryan Gomez4 Active Member
112 messages
joined Feb 2013
#16 ·
Where I grew up, people actually go ice swimming in holes they cut through the frozen surface. I was just watching a segment on CNN the other day about massive crowds doing the same thing in sub-zero temperatures. 😁
James Anderson13 James Anderson13 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jan 2010
#17 ·
I don't think I'm being overly sensitive here. Honestly, the last time I actually stepped foot in a doctor's office was probably back in the last century—I can't even remember my physician's name anymore...

If I were actually a hypochondriac, I definitely wouldn't be noticing any symptoms.😁

Everything feels fine right now, though I turned bright red immediately after getting out of the water. I was submerged for about 10 minutes. At this rate, I’m starting to think winter swimming might actually be my calling...
Gregory Jones15 Gregory Jones15 Newcomer
1 message
joined Jul 2010
#18 ·
James Anderson13, you owe that guy dinner since you lost the bet. You don't even seem to realize what kind of favor he actually did for you.
Taking a dip in the winter, whether it's in the ocean or whatever, basically triggers a natural sauna effect in your body. It kicks your circulation up so high that if you stick with it, most illnesses might just become a thing of the past for you.
Besides, you noticed yourself how good you felt afterward 👍
mellowbear14 mellowbear14 Newcomer
1 message
joined Jul 2010
#19 ·
The way you temper steel involves plunging that white-hot metal straight into ice-cold water to make it harder and more resilient.
But here’s the thing—sometimes that sudden shock causes the steel to just snap right down the middle. And honestly, I think people are exactly the same way.
Jeremy Roberts Jeremy Roberts Member
12 messages
joined Jan 2012
#20 ·
It’s all relative, I suppose. For instance, I can jump into the ocean in November without any issues, whereas a friend of mine will catch a cold immediately if the water isn't at least 75 degrees, which then completely wrecks his sinuses.
Maybe it's because I spend the whole winter swimming in a local community pool kept at about 79 degrees, so I guess my body has just gotten used to slightly cooler water.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Log in Register

🔗 Similar threads