![shower](/assets/images/blog/2022/06/04/00-cover.jpg)

Today marks the 9th day in a row that I've showered in cold water. Cold water, take your breath away cold water. I never 
thought I'd do this in a million years. I've always hated cold water. Even on holidays abroad when returning from the 
beach after being in the sun all day, my cold shower to cool down could probably be described as luke warm.

Over the last couple of years I've started to hear more and more people recommending taking cold showers saying they are 
good for your overall health, so I decided to look into and there are a surprising number of health benefits. 

# The Health Benefits

* Immune System
* Depression
* Anxiety
* Circulation 
* Soothe Muscles 
* Weight Loss 
* Hair / Skin
* Alertness 

# How I did it

My shower has 3 modes `hot`, `econ` and `cold`. In the past this mode has always been set to `hot`. With the 
temperature dial set to `7` or `8` out of `10`. On the first day I took my normal hot shower and when I was finished with 
washing I changed the settings to `econ` and set the temperature dial to `5` (we'll call this `econ-5` from herein). 
This was quite a shock to the system but I stayed there for a couple of minutes until I got used to it. 
Then I turned the temperature down again to `econ-1`. This was very uncomfortable and I think I forgot to breath for 
the next minute! 

I did this for the next day or so but reduced the `hot` temperature each time until I was stepping into the shower 
starting on `econ-5` and then reducing to `econ-1`. This is when I started to test myself against the `cold` mode. 
Starting my showers on `econ-1` and then switching to `cold-5` for 30 seconds. Now this really takes the breath away!
Each day I reduced the temperature again from `cold-5` to `cold-1` whilst increasing the time I stayed in, from 30 
seconds to 2-3 minutes. To do this I practised breathing, deep breaths in through the nose and through the mouth. I 
hated it at first it was very uncomfortable, but then I noticed something. I started to feel euphoric! 

Over the last couple of days I've gotten straight into the shower on `econ-1` then subjected myself to a couple of 
minutes at `cold-1`. Concentrating on my breathing the whole time. I get out of the shower now everyday feeling 
absolutely incredible. I feel high, yet hyper alert, wide awake ready to get straight into my work. I feel happier and
generally more optimistic.

The strange thing is I can't wait to get into the shower each morning. I actually now crave that cold water. So whilst 
I cannot recommend it enough, I do wonder who I even am anymore. 😂😂

It was this video that finally convinced me to try

BRRR