Cold shower: how many seconds will bring maximum benefit

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A cold shower is not only the fate of “walruses “. It turned out that it is able to help restore the health of the nervous system, as well as put the general condition of the body in order.

In a podcast for BBC Sounds-Just One Thing, British doctor Michael Mosley told how long you need to stand in the cold shower, so that it brings benefits to health. According to him, the beneficial properties of ice water are associated with the release of adrenaline, which is provoked by stressful conditions. “Over time, you will adapt and your stress response will be more muted. It is believed that by exposing our body to a small amount of controlled stress, we get a benefit,” he explained.

Mosley's point of view was confirmed by Mike Tipton, a professor of human physiology at the University of Portsmouth. According to him, it is a short immersion, not a long one, that is beneficial. “If you stay in cold water for a long time, the deep tissues will also begin to cool down, which can lead to hypothermia,” the scientist explained.

He noted that the duration of taking a cold shower is influenced by the individual response to cold shock . If during the first minute of diving you feel an increased pulse, heavy breathing and a general feeling of stress, 30 seconds will be enough. However, it is advisable to gradually increase the time spent in cold water or in the shower.

Professor Tipton noted that it is very important to learn to regain control over breathing. He advises staying in the cold water for 60 to 90 seconds “until you learn to control your breathing.” It is best to do such procedures in the morning or after training.