Why I Take Cold Showers

4 minute read · By Warren Wong

It’s been a long day. You got into an argument with a co-worker. You had a fight with your significant other. You had a frustrating talk with a friend. The last thing you probably want to do right now is to jump into a cold shower.

Do it anyways.

cold shower head raining water

Over this past year I’ve been struggling with the idea of taking cold showers. I watched plenty of YouTube videos on the benefits of cold showers and listened to plenty of podcasts on the matter, but couldn’t bring myself to do it.

One day I finally decided to give it a try.

The results? I didn’t know why I didn’t start sooner.

It can’t be that bad right? WRONG!

Taking cold showers suck. I never said they didn’t. But the benefits of taking cold showers are countless.

Number One Benefit of Cold Showers

For me, the most important benefit would be developing mental toughness. Exercising that will power muscle.

At a certain point in your life, you’re going to have to just say “f**k, it” and jump right into it.

marines formation salute — Second from the left. June 2017, Battalion change of command. I was the lucky guy as the “Adjutant” to form the Battalion and conduct ceremonial drill in front of over 1000 service members, family and even a few ceremonial horses… they weren’t too pleased.

Whether it’s a big presentation, going up and hitting on that crush you’ve been eyeing or starting your own business. At a certain point in your life, and it will be many, you just have to say “*f**k, it” and just do it.

Fight or Flight

As I turned on the shower, all the way to the right, I braced myself for the frigid water. I could feel my heart beating faster and goose bumps pricking my skin. I haven’t even touched the cold water on my skin yet.

Thinking back on that moment I knew why I had to do it. I had to train myself. This exact feeling prior to any “scary” situation instinctively puts us into a fight or flight mode.

I wasn’t going to flee, I had to fight.

With that I did a few jumping jacks and went right into the shower, directly under the shower head.

I instantly gasped for air. I breathed heavily. My body felt the shock to all its senses. My body and mind was telling me to get the hell out of there, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I was going to beat this.

I stayed in there for a good 5 minutes which felt like an hour.

Number 2 Benefit of Cold Showers

Taking cold showers will wipe your mental slate clean. When you jump into a cold shower, you can’t think.

You can’t think about the shitty day you’ve had or the big project due tomorrow. The only thing you can focus on is the cold water.

It sets your mind and the rest of your day right.

After taking cold showers for the past 2 months I can feel that it has incrementally changed my life.

You’ll feel more alert, focused and present. I have less anxiety and fear of future outcomes.

Don’t take it from me, check out this article on Runners World.

Don’t get me wrong, taking cold showers isn’t a panacea, but it is just one of the tools in the toolbox that may really work for you.

Conclusion

I know some of you out there are skeptical, so was I. Some of you are actually crazy enough to try it, and I implore you to do so. Try it out for 30 days. I bet you will feel a sense of accomplishment afterwards.

There’s going to be times in your life that’s going to suck, but you’re still going to have to do it.

Whether it’s taking cold showers or facing your fears, be that crazy guy or gal and suck it up and do it anyways. You’ll be glad you did.