What is the truth behind cold morning showers? It sounds brutal to me. I feel the poor body perhaps suffers. Luke warm water perhaps is always best for body but I am not sure.
Cold showers shock the body out of sleep. The cold water constricts the blood vessels on the surface and when one rubs the body vigorously after the bath then the blood flow increases to the skin with the feeling of freshness and sudden warmth. The body experiences sudden stress and hence it releases stress hormones that activate the nervous system. Warm showers, on the other hand relaxes the nerves and the hormones and helps induce a good sleep because it is relaxing.
But here comes the catch. Cold showers can constrict the blood vessels suddenly which is certainly not good, especially to those predisposed to heart diseases. In certain cases it can trigger a cardiac event due to the stress generated upon the body. The best thing, from an overall perspective is lukewarm water. It is nourishing to the skin and relaxing to the body and the internal organs. One doesn’t have to shake oneself out of sleep as cold water does. The transit can be smooth and relaxing, which is good for the body and the internal organs. Sri Aurobindo and The Mother took lukewarm water bath always. Moderation, I suppose is anyday better than extremes, as the Gita suggests.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
