The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work (2016)
I've been taking cold showers exclusively for 11 years now.It doesn't get much easier but you'll get addicted to the great feeling after.It's similar to running or exercise, it sucks to do but you do it anyway because the benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort.The trick for me was to never use warm shower again and never compromise ... only coldest water available counts. First thing in the morning.It makes everything easier as once you experience that comfort of warmer water you'll have to fight with it again and again.That's why I don't believe in James Bond showers and similar stuff.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.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.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.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.It's great habit to start.