Hate catching a cold? A relatively simple change in the shower could help you get sick significantly less, new research suggests.
As the seasons change, it seems everyone’s under the weather.
But instead of downing vitamin C, a new study from the University of Basel in Switzerland takes a different approach to dodging the sniffles.
This new research points to the psychology. If you’re willing to stick with something as unpleasant as a cold shower every day for 12 weeks, they found you’ll get sick a lot less.
Here’s what researchers found.
Sticking with cold showers
Researchers had 735 people take cold showers every day for three months. They had to stand under the showers on the coldest setting for 30 to 120 seconds — that’s around 59°F, where a normal shower would be in the ballpark of 100°F.
They found that those who were able to stick with it had a 26% fewer days spent sick and a 31% less sick days taken off work.
Not everyone was able to do it. Many people dropped out in the first two weeks, though the dropout rate declined after that, suggesting “people gradually get used to it,” author and psychotherapist Lena Glaser said.
The study notes that women were more likely (by 33%) to drop out compared to men. Separate research suggests that women feel more discomfort than men in the same cold environment possibly in part due to a naturally higher core temperature.
Glaser noted that participants who were able to do the cold showers had “significant improvements” overall in general well-being and vitality.
There’s a few things at play in why cold showers are good for you. The cold temperatures kick your blood circulation into high gear to warm the core, possibly boosting metabolism, soothing pain and bolstering the immune system.
Motivating people to kick bad habits
Making a change that people know is good for them — and the world around them — can be a tough sell as long as it’s something they consider a sacrifice.
That was the core idea behind this research. Would people make a change perceived as unpleasant and difficult — if they saw personal benefits?
In this study, she points to not only personal health benefits, but savings on utility bills. Plus, a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions: Over the course of the study 8.8 tons of emissions were saved.
Glaser compared it to avoiding meat, which has personal health advantages but also helps the environment.
“When people see a personal benefit from changing their behavior and don’t feel that they’re giving something up or missing out, they’re more motivated to stick with it.”
Not everyone should take cold showers, Cleveland Clinic notes. People who have heart disease or a heart condition shouldn’t take cold showers. If you experience cold shock (intense stress or fear, gasping, difficulty breathing) or feel lightheaded, step out of the shower or warm up the water.
If you’re interested in trying, Glaser says you should start gradually and see how cold you’re willing to go, and push a little bit more over time.
“It’s important to listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel,” she said. “The water doesn’t have to be equally cold every day.”
