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This has been my standard routine for a few years now.

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Good article. One thing I've gotta mention though is that the body's compensatory response to a cold shower will actually be to warm you, making it disadvantageous for sleep. The short burst of cold at the end of a Scottish shower might not be enough to trigger this effect so it might still be worthwhile. Generally warm showers are beneficial to your temperature at night for the same reason cold showers are beneficial in the morning, in that they trigger a rise in temperature at the start of the day (among other reasons of course.)

Note this compensatory effect doesn't take place when only applying hot and cold to the glabrous regions; palms, face, and bottom of feet. Cold water splashed on the face is good for sleep.

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COME AND TAKE IT

*insert picture of shower with dial turned all the way to hot here*

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Problem with fads like this is the counter evidence tends to be ignored.

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests hot showers work just as effectively as cold showers when it comes to improving physical and mental health.

Hot showers increase heart rate and blood flow to the skin, while cold showers decrease heart rate and blood flow to the skin. However, both types of showers have a similar effect on core body temperature and blood pressure.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27631616/

Hot showers (104 degrees Fahrenheit) reduced muscle soreness and improved range of motion just as effectively as cold showers (59 degrees Fahrenheit).

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0161749

Hot showers may help to reduce stress and anxiety.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29977318/

While more research is needed to confirm the long-term benefits of hot showers, the existing evidence suggests that they can be just as effective as cold showers for improving physical and mental health.

The only niche case I could find in my personal life for cold showers is if you're having difficulty waking up in the morning. Immediately taking a cold shower can often wake your body up and keep it awake, albeit less relaxing than enjoying a cup of coffee.

But since I have been using blue blocker glasses at night time before bed along with changes in my diet I have gotten the best sleep of my life and always wake up refreshed, so I haven't personally needed a cold shower.

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We called them "contrast showers" in college. I always took the water down to as cold as I could stand it. Took them right after a workout, helps with circulation. And yes, afterwards I'm ready to fall asleep.

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Haven't been taking cold showers, but I have been taking "cool" showers. Just a little hot water to bring it right below room temp. I feel like it's helped with my stress levels and normal areas of dry skin.

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Soaking only your feet in hot water before bedtime helps sleep. It makes the feet comfortable and draws blood from the brain which makes the mind less busy.

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Great article, I will definitely start trying this out.

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