COLD SHOWERS ANYONE?

​My first encounter with cold showers was when I was about three years old and my grandmother treated me with alternating cold and warm showers. The idea however at some point could have led to a family strife, so it was abandoned altogether. 
Later on I wasn't particularly interested to embrace the idea of cold showers. I have always enjoyed a hot and long shower. The idea of having a cold shower was never sought after even if I must have been hearing about its amazing benefits here and there.
You know, listening about the benefits and even understanding the principles behind them doesn't necessarily translate in adopting certain practices.
Until ...

​I guess when our bodies manifest they are not entirely happy with the way we treating them it is a good time to look for solutions. We are more attentive and eager to change.
A good few weeks ago, my blood pressure, which had always been low, dropped drastically. I felt awful. My energy level oscillated around 0 and the dizziness was unbearable. In times like these I try to look for natural remedies and solutions. And voila - there it was - a cold shower. 
But I didn't try right away. First, I had to get familiar with as many aspects of this treatment as possible. I read different articles, watched testimonies of other people and ask for doctor's advice. 
Then I tried ...

The first time was horrific. I could barely last 15 seconds, and after the shower, I had to revisit all the resources just to remind myself why on earth I had decided to subject myself to such discomfort.
Personally, I believe that  when embarking on new routines like this, our mindset requires an extra boost and encouragement.
So, fuelled by the inspiring words of others, I pressed on.
I'm still a newbie here but after 3 weeks of having regular cold showers I can definitely tell the difference. I feel more alive, my mood has has taken a turn for the better, and my batteries are fully charged. I want to carry on. I want to reap the benefits of this simple, yet effective method. 
I can tell you that after these three weeks cold water is still cold. It's  just as frigid and unwelcoming as before but I have already managed to prolong my initial 15 sec to about 2 minutes, usually twice a day. I listen to my body; I haven't resigned from the comfort of hot showers and I take it easy - one step at the time. 
That's my testimony.
Below, I leave you the links to  the materials that really helped me in this pursuit.

Gaz Okleay - my favourite vegan chef and his recorded experience of having ice baths.
Dr Berg - medical insight of what is happening to our body when we take cold showers.
and finally
Wim Hof - extremist but with loads of good pieces of advice and a living example that cold showers rule. 

Let me sum up with giving you a compiled version of cold showers benefits.

1. You'll save money on your water bill, because no one wants to linger in a cold shower!
2. Cold showers give you an instant jolt of energy, like a slap in the face from a friendly polar bear.
3. You'll become a master of self-control, because resisting the urge to scream in a cold shower takes serious willpower.
4. You'll boost your immune system by subjecting your body to a mini Arctic blast. 
5. You'll become a fearless warrior, because after surviving a cold shower, nothing can bring you down.

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