Contrast Shower vs Cold Shower: Which Is Better?

A question that always comes up with discussing the benefits of cold showers is, contrast shower vs cold shower, which is better?

Firstly, if you’re not aware of all the potential health benefits to both of these types of showers you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Cold showering and contrast showering of sorts has a long history. Back in the first century, Europeans would go from the sauna to an ice-cold lake, realizing back then that they felt better for it.

There are some differences between cold showers and contrast showers, however, and you can use them to help with difference wellness and health issues.

They both offer a very different experience too. It’s a lot harder to have a cold shower than a contrast shower, I know I prefer a contrast personally.

Here are the benefits of both contrast and cold showers and how incorporating one into your daily routine could help:

Health Benefits of Cold Showers

Improves Circulation – Improving your circulation is good for your cardiovascular health, helps stimulate your body’s natural healing process, and speeds up recovery from injury or just general aches and pains.

Strengths Immune Function – Your body reacts to the cold water by increasing metabolic rate and producing more white blood cells. This, in turn, strengthens your immune system and helps fight off illness.

Boosts Energy – We could all benefit from a little boost in natural energy without relying on coffee or other foods that have a temporary effect, right? Try a cold shower, you’ll feel a noticeable boost in natural energy.

Great for Hair and Skin – Cold water helps nourish your hair and skin, while hot water is known to dry out skin and can cause split ends if it’s too hot on a regular basis.

Health Benefits of Contrast Showers

Contrast showers give you all the benefits that cold showers do, along with some additional benefits due to the shock of alternating between hot and cold water.

So, you will experience:

• Improved circulation
• Strengthened immune system
• Energy boost
• Healthier skin and hair

Along with some additional benefits as follows:

Improved Lymphatic Function – Our lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins from our body. A combination of the effects of cold and hot water causing muscle contractions and increased blood flow improves this function.

Weight Loss and Metabolism Boosting – The hot and cold combo actually stimulates your body to burn brown fats. This is because you are trying to generate heat to combat the cold water, causing an increase in metabolism and potential weight loss with daily contrast showers.

Should I Have a Cold or Contrast Shower?

This is what it comes down to, which is better for you, right?

I prefer contrast showers personally. I don’t look forward to standing in a cold shower for 10 minutes, and I’ve become so used to contrast showers I don’t even notice the cold anymore.

Technically there are more wellness benefits to a contrast shower as far as I’ve been able to discover by reading through studies and talking to friends in spas.

Although I think you’re more likely to realize quicker and better results from cold showers on a regular basis.

All things considered, I think it comes down to preference. If you’re making the choice to start taking cold or contrast showers you’re doing the right thing.

It’s a positive lifestyle change, that’s the most important thing to remember. You’re giving up those warm, comforting showers for the good of your health so good on you.

Here is a short video outlining some of the benefits of cold and contrast showers: