Cold Shower vs. Hot Shower — Which Is Better for Your Health?

We tend to avoid cold showers in the winter, and even in the summer we still prefer warm water. However, it turns out that showering in cold water has a number of health benefits. Before deciding which is better, following are the advantages of each:

Benefits of a Cold Shower

• Cold showers may help improve mood because they increase levels of beta-endorphins and noradrenaline in the blood, as well as noradrenaline levels in the brain. These changes can create an anti-depressive effect and help elevate mood.
• Cold showers can also help retain moisture in the hair, making them especially helpful for people with dry or brittle hair. They may also help prevent the loss of healthy oils from the skin and scalp.
• Cold water can improve circulation in people who experience poor blood flow. In addition, showering in cold water helps improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
• Cold water is also beneficial for people who engage in physical activity, since it helps the muscles relax and promotes circulation throughout the body. It may also help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Cold showers can increase alertness, concentration, and immune responsiveness, because the body reacts quickly to cold exposure. As a result, the immune system may respond more effectively to viruses and infections. However, it is not recommended to shower in cold water when you are sick.

Benefits of a Warm Shower

• Warm showers can benefit the skin because they open the pores and help remove impurities, which may reduce blemishes and cleanse the skin.
• A warm bath can help the body relax and support better sleep, since warm water affects internal body temperature. For children, and adults, a warm shower before bed may help improve sleep quality.
• Warm showers may help reduce muscle tension and fatigue, ease muscle pain, dilate blood vessels, and improve circulation.
• A warm shower may also help relieve headaches, lower blood pressure, and ease cold symptoms, since the steam increases moisture in the nasal passages and helps reduce congestion. On the other hand, Maimonides (the Rambam) noted that prolonged bathing in very hot water may increase moisture in the body and could contribute to the spread of inflammation.

Which Is Better?

Cold showers can help stimulate the immune system, but they should be avoided when you are sick. Warm showers are often preferable, as they help relieve respiratory symptoms and may reduce breakouts — although very hot water can dry or irritate the skin. In such cases, a cooler shower may be a better option.

Warm showers are especially helpful for people with joint or arthritis-related pain, while athletes often prefer cold showers because they can help reduce inflammation.

A cold shower is generally more suitable after exercise or a long, tiring day. A warm shower is usually better before bedtime, while in the early morning a cold shower may be more refreshing.

Extremely hot or extremely cold water should always be avoided, as both may negatively affect your health.