The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)
I've been taking cold showers exclusively for 11 years now.<p>It doesn't get much easier but you'll get addicted to the great feeling after.<p>It's similar to running or exercise, it sucks to do but you do it anyway because the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort.<p>The trick for me was to never use warm shower again and never compromise ... only coldest water available counts. First thing in the morning.<p>It makes everything easier as once you experience that comfort of warmer water you'll have to fight with it again and again.<p>That's why I don't believe in James Bond showers and similar stuff.<p>Only last year I started to take warmer showers if I need to take one late at night and want to get a good sleep fast (I took about 4 so far) ... to build this habit, for me personally, it was paramount to leave no other option.<p>For the first 7 years I haven't been sick at all. At the same time, I don't think it's a miracle practice for your health. You will get sick if you expose yourself to risks of getting sick often enough - it's simple.<p>In the early days, I used to procrastinate in the bathroom ... a good trick was to start timing my showers. I would leave a timer set for 5 min and paper to log time, I tried to get in and out beating 5 min time-frame. In less than couple of weeks it became a habit that I enjoy for some 8 years now.<p>Other than health, energy and willpower, I suspect it has some solid psychological benefits ... you get out in the morning you feel like a superhuman, imagine starting your day in such way and how that compounds over the years.<p>It's great habit to start.