Friday, February 13, 2015

Anti-aging Remedy: Cold Water

Want a cheap anti-aging remedy?  Wash with cold water.

As in really cold:


 Like this gentleman is doing here:

Or this polar bear:


No casual, easy warm bath for you! Unbelievable, isn't it?



(This is Westie Lim.)

In fact, as the Beauty Queen anti-aging series continues, you'll notice a common theme: they all took daily cold baths.

Why?  Because the health benefits keep you young and fresh and fit as explained here:

"Cold showers have the following positive effects:
* Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.
* Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
* Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.
* Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs." 

And because cold anything helps you burn fat.  Just ask Michael Phelps how he stayed slim on a 12,000 calorie per day diet.  (Or don't, because he probably didn't think too hard about it.)

And because cold water helps maintain your skin's natural oils so it stays smoother longer, and because the increased circulation also keeps your hair its own natural colour. Cold water for your hair also keeps your hair cleaner longer and adds shine by closing the cuticles on the hair itself.

If you can't really can't handle cold showers, start with a less-hot shower than normal and then finish with a cold rinse. You can also alternate hot and cold for a minute each, but be sure to finish with a cold rinse.

Or, just roll in the cold snow like Wally Bear here:





Disclaimer: Of course, you shouldn't always take cold showers or baths if you have health problems like high blood pressure, are feverish, or have heart disease.  As always, check with your doctor first.