The Science of Taking Cold Showers Life Changing Benefits English Podcast
00:00[Music] [Music] Hi everyone. Welcome back to the Simple Hi everyone. Welcome back to the Simple Hi everyone. Welcome back to the Simple English podcast where we break down big English podcast where we break down big English podcast where we break down big ideas in simple words. I'm your host ideas in simple words. I'm your host ideas in simple words. I'm your host Lisa and today get ready to feel a Lisa and today get ready to feel a Lisa and today get ready to feel a chill. I'm already cold just thinking chill. I'm already cold just thinking chill. I'm already cold just thinking about it. Hey everyone, I'm Levi and about it. Hey everyone, I'm Levi and about it. Hey everyone, I'm Levi and we're talking about something that might we're talking about something that might we're talking about something that might sound crazy but could actually change sound crazy but could actually change sound crazy but could actually change your life. your life. your life. Cold showers. Yes, you heard that right. Cold showers. Yes, you heard that right. Cold showers. Yes, you heard that right. Taking a cold shower sounds like torture Taking a cold shower sounds like torture Taking a cold shower sounds like torture to most people, especially in the to most people, especially in the to most people, especially in the morning. But there's some real science morning. But there's some real science morning. But there's some real science behind why more and more people are behind why more and more people are behind why more and more people are turning that temperature dial all the turning that temperature dial all the turning that temperature dial all the way down. That's right. It's not just way down. That's right. It's not just way down. That's right. It's not just some internet trend. Athletes, doctors, some internet trend. Athletes, doctors, some internet trend. Athletes, doctors, and even CEOs are doing it. And the and even CEOs are doing it. And the and even CEOs are doing it. And the benefits, they go way beyond just waking benefits, they go way beyond just waking benefits, they go way beyond just waking you up. So, why do people willingly you up. So, why do people willingly you up. So, why do people willingly freeze themselves every day? Are they freeze themselves every day? Are they freeze themselves every day? Are they superhuman? Are they crazy? Or is there superhuman? Are they crazy? Or is there superhuman? Are they crazy? Or is there something we're missing? something we're missing? something we're missing? Stick with us. We're going to talk about Stick with us. We're going to talk about Stick with us. We're going to talk about what happens to your body and brain
01:00what happens to your body and brain what happens to your body and brain during a cold shower, why it might make during a cold shower, why it might make during a cold shower, why it might make you healthier, and how to start if you healthier, and how to start if you healthier, and how to start if you've never tried it before. And don't you've never tried it before. And don't you've never tried it before. And don't worry, we're keeping it simple and real, worry, we're keeping it simple and real, worry, we're keeping it simple and real, just like always. All right, Levi, ready just like always. All right, Levi, ready just like always. All right, Levi, ready to dive in? Let's jump into the cold to dive in? Let's jump into the cold to dive in? Let's jump into the cold water together. As always, don't forget water together. As always, don't forget water together. As always, don't forget to check out the free PDF file in the to check out the free PDF file in the to check out the free PDF file in the comment section below to get the full comment section below to get the full comment section below to get the full transcript and vocabulary for this transcript and vocabulary for this transcript and vocabulary for this episode. episode. episode. [Music] Okay, Levi, let's start with the Okay, Levi, let's start with the science. What actually happens when you science. What actually happens when you science. What actually happens when you take a cold shower? So, when cold water take a cold shower? So, when cold water take a cold shower? So, when cold water hits your body, the first thing you do hits your body, the first thing you do hits your body, the first thing you do is probably gasp, right? That's your is probably gasp, right? That's your is probably gasp, right? That's your body reacting to the shock. Your heart body reacting to the shock. Your heart body reacting to the shock. Your heart beats faster, your blood vessels beats faster, your blood vessels beats faster, your blood vessels tighten. This is called vasoc tighten. This is called vasoc tighten. This is called vasoc constriction, and your body starts constriction, and your body starts constriction, and your body starts working hard to keep you warm. That working hard to keep you warm. That working hard to keep you warm. That doesn't sound very relaxing. Haha. It's doesn't sound very relaxing. Haha. It's doesn't sound very relaxing. Haha. It's not at first, but that reaction actually not at first, but that reaction actually not at first, but that reaction actually has some big benefits. For example, your has some big benefits. For example, your has some big benefits. For example, your circulation improves. Blood moves more
02:00circulation improves. Blood moves more circulation improves. Blood moves more efficiently through your organs and efficiently through your organs and efficiently through your organs and muscles, which helps your body work muscles, which helps your body work muscles, which helps your body work better. So, cold water kind of gives better. So, cold water kind of gives better. So, cold water kind of gives your body a workout. Exactly. And it your body a workout. Exactly. And it your body a workout. Exactly. And it also affects your brain. Cold showers also affects your brain. Cold showers also affects your brain. Cold showers can trigger the release of endorphins, can trigger the release of endorphins, can trigger the release of endorphins, the same happy chemicals you get after a the same happy chemicals you get after a the same happy chemicals you get after a good workout or when you laugh. Oh, I good workout or when you laugh. Oh, I good workout or when you laugh. Oh, I need those endorphins in the morning. need those endorphins in the morning. need those endorphins in the morning. Right. A lot of people say a cold shower Right. A lot of people say a cold shower Right. A lot of people say a cold shower gives them more energy and focus than a gives them more energy and focus than a gives them more energy and focus than a cup of coffee. Really? But what about cup of coffee. Really? But what about cup of coffee. Really? But what about the immune system? I read somewhere that the immune system? I read somewhere that the immune system? I read somewhere that cold showers can actually help you not cold showers can actually help you not cold showers can actually help you not get sick as often. Great point. There get sick as often. Great point. There get sick as often. Great point. There are studies showing that people who take are studies showing that people who take are studies showing that people who take cold showers regularly get fewer colds. cold showers regularly get fewer colds. cold showers regularly get fewer colds. It might be because the cold stimulates It might be because the cold stimulates It might be because the cold stimulates the production of white blood cells, the production of white blood cells, the production of white blood cells, which help fight illness. which help fight illness. which help fight illness. Okay, so let's recap. Cold showers help Okay, so let's recap. Cold showers help Okay, so let's recap. Cold showers help with circulation, mood, energy, and even with circulation, mood, energy, and even with circulation, mood, energy, and even immunity. But what about stress and immunity. But what about stress and immunity. But what about stress and anxiety? anxiety? anxiety? Actually, cold exposure can train your Actually, cold exposure can train your Actually, cold exposure can train your body to deal with stress better. You body to deal with stress better. You body to deal with stress better. You know how some days everything feels
03:00know how some days everything feels know how some days everything feels overwhelming? A cold shower is like overwhelming? A cold shower is like overwhelming? A cold shower is like stress practice. It teaches your body stress practice. It teaches your body stress practice. It teaches your body how to stay calm even in uncomfortable how to stay calm even in uncomfortable how to stay calm even in uncomfortable situations. situations. situations. That makes sense. You're basically That makes sense. You're basically That makes sense. You're basically learning how to breathe through learning how to breathe through learning how to breathe through discomfort. discomfort. discomfort. Exactly. Athletes do this with ice baths Exactly. Athletes do this with ice baths Exactly. Athletes do this with ice baths all the time, but you don't need an ice all the time, but you don't need an ice all the time, but you don't need an ice tub. Just start with 30 seconds of cold tub. Just start with 30 seconds of cold tub. Just start with 30 seconds of cold at the end of your regular shower. I've at the end of your regular shower. I've at the end of your regular shower. I've tried that. It's super hard at first. I tried that. It's super hard at first. I tried that. It's super hard at first. I think I screamed the first time. That's think I screamed the first time. That's think I screamed the first time. That's totally normal, but over time, your body totally normal, but over time, your body totally normal, but over time, your body gets used to it. It's a bit like going gets used to it. It's a bit like going gets used to it. It's a bit like going to the gym. The first day is rough, but to the gym. The first day is rough, but to the gym. The first day is rough, but if you keep going, it becomes part of if you keep going, it becomes part of if you keep going, it becomes part of your routine. So, is this something your routine. So, is this something your routine. So, is this something everyone should try? Well, not everyone. everyone should try? Well, not everyone. everyone should try? Well, not everyone. If you have certain health conditions If you have certain health conditions If you have certain health conditions like heart problems, definitely talk to like heart problems, definitely talk to like heart problems, definitely talk to a doctor first. But if you're healthy, a doctor first. But if you're healthy, a doctor first. But if you're healthy, it can be a powerful habit. Just start it can be a powerful habit. Just start it can be a powerful habit. Just start slow. That's good advice. And maybe not slow. That's good advice. And maybe not slow. That's good advice. And maybe not during a snowstorm. during a snowstorm. during a snowstorm. Yeah, timing is important, but really, Yeah, timing is important, but really, Yeah, timing is important, but really, even just 30 seconds of cold water can even just 30 seconds of cold water can even just 30 seconds of cold water can make a difference. And the best part,
04:00make a difference. And the best part, make a difference. And the best part, it's free. You don't need a gym or it's free. You don't need a gym or it's free. You don't need a gym or expensive supplements. Just a shower and expensive supplements. Just a shower and expensive supplements. Just a shower and a little courage. a little courage. a little courage. [Music] [Music] Okay, time for a quick fun fact. Levi, Okay, time for a quick fun fact. Levi, Okay, time for a quick fun fact. Levi, did you know that some of the most did you know that some of the most did you know that some of the most successful people in the world swear by successful people in the world swear by successful people in the world swear by cold showers? cold showers? cold showers? Oh, yeah. Like who? Well, Tony Robbins, Oh, yeah. Like who? Well, Tony Robbins, Oh, yeah. Like who? Well, Tony Robbins, the famous life coach, jumps into a cold the famous life coach, jumps into a cold the famous life coach, jumps into a cold plunge pool every single morning. And plunge pool every single morning. And plunge pool every single morning. And Wim Hoff, also known as the Iceman, has Wim Hoff, also known as the Iceman, has Wim Hoff, also known as the Iceman, has built an entire method around cold built an entire method around cold built an entire method around cold exposure and breathing. exposure and breathing. exposure and breathing. That's wild. I even read that Tim That's wild. I even read that Tim That's wild. I even read that Tim Ferrris, the author of the 4-Hour Work Ferrris, the author of the 4-Hour Work Ferrris, the author of the 4-Hour Work Week, uses cold showers to help with fat Week, uses cold showers to help with fat Week, uses cold showers to help with fat loss and mental clarity. Yep. It's like loss and mental clarity. Yep. It's like loss and mental clarity. Yep. It's like a secret weapon for high performers. a secret weapon for high performers. a secret weapon for high performers. Makes you wonder if it works for them, Makes you wonder if it works for them, Makes you wonder if it works for them, maybe it could work for us, too. maybe it could work for us, too. maybe it could work for us, too. Totally. And the best part, it doesn't Totally. And the best part, it doesn't Totally. And the best part, it doesn't take an hour a day. Just a few minutes take an hour a day. Just a few minutes take an hour a day. Just a few minutes and you're done. and you're done. and you're done. [Music]
05:00All right, friends. That's a wrap on All right, friends. That's a wrap on today's chili topic. Let's warm up with today's chili topic. Let's warm up with today's chili topic. Let's warm up with a little recap. So, we talked about how a little recap. So, we talked about how a little recap. So, we talked about how cold showers improve blood flow, boost cold showers improve blood flow, boost cold showers improve blood flow, boost mood, strengthen the immune system, and mood, strengthen the immune system, and mood, strengthen the immune system, and train your body to handle stress. Plus, train your body to handle stress. Plus, train your body to handle stress. Plus, they're free, simple, and don't take they're free, simple, and don't take they're free, simple, and don't take much time. Just a few seconds each day much time. Just a few seconds each day much time. Just a few seconds each day can start to make a difference. And hey, can start to make a difference. And hey, can start to make a difference. And hey, we're not saying you need to suffer. we're not saying you need to suffer. we're not saying you need to suffer. Start small. Try ending your warm shower Start small. Try ending your warm shower Start small. Try ending your warm shower with 10 seconds of cold, then build up. with 10 seconds of cold, then build up. with 10 seconds of cold, then build up. Exactly. This isn't about being tough. Exactly. This isn't about being tough. Exactly. This isn't about being tough. It's about building habits that help It's about building habits that help It's about building habits that help your body and mind feel better. your body and mind feel better. your body and mind feel better. And if it's too much, that's okay. Just And if it's too much, that's okay. Just And if it's too much, that's okay. Just learning about it is the first step. learning about it is the first step. learning about it is the first step. Thanks so much for hanging out with us Thanks so much for hanging out with us Thanks so much for hanging out with us today on the Simple English podcast. If today on the Simple English podcast. If today on the Simple English podcast. If you learned something new or feel you learned something new or feel you learned something new or feel inspired to try a cold shower, give us a inspired to try a cold shower, give us a inspired to try a cold shower, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment. thumbs up and leave a comment. thumbs up and leave a comment. Let us know how it goes. And if you Let us know how it goes. And if you Let us know how it goes. And if you screamed the first time, don't worry. We screamed the first time, don't worry. We screamed the first time, don't worry. We all do. See you next time. And stay cool all do. See you next time. And stay cool all do. See you next time. And stay cool in every way. Bye.
06:00in every way. Bye. in every way. Bye. Later everyone. Later everyone. Later everyone. [Music] [Music] Okay everyone, it's time to learn some Okay everyone, it's time to learn some Okay everyone, it's time to learn some important vocabulary related to the important vocabulary related to the important vocabulary related to the topic. The first word is circulation. It topic. The first word is circulation. It topic. The first word is circulation. It means the movement of blood through the means the movement of blood through the means the movement of blood through the body. Example, cold showers improve body. Example, cold showers improve body. Example, cold showers improve blood circulation by making your heart blood circulation by making your heart blood circulation by making your heart pump more pump more pump more efficiently. Next word is endorphins. It efficiently. Next word is endorphins. It efficiently. Next word is endorphins. It means natural chemicals produced by the means natural chemicals produced by the means natural chemicals produced by the body that help relieve stress and pain body that help relieve stress and pain body that help relieve stress and pain and create feelings of and create feelings of and create feelings of happiness. Example, after a cold shower, happiness. Example, after a cold shower, happiness. Example, after a cold shower, your body releases endorphins that make your body releases endorphins that make your body releases endorphins that make you feel more awake and happy. Next word you feel more awake and happy. Next word you feel more awake and happy. Next word is vasoc constriction. It means the is vasoc constriction. It means the is vasoc constriction. It means the narrowing of blood vessels which reduces narrowing of blood vessels which reduces narrowing of blood vessels which reduces blood flow. Example, cold water causes blood flow. Example, cold water causes blood flow. Example, cold water causes vasoc constriction which helps reduce vasoc constriction which helps reduce vasoc constriction which helps reduce inflammation in the muscles. inflammation in the muscles. inflammation in the muscles. Next word is immune system. It means the
07:00Next word is immune system. It means the Next word is immune system. It means the body's defense system against infections body's defense system against infections body's defense system against infections and and and diseases. Example, regular cold showers diseases. Example, regular cold showers diseases. Example, regular cold showers may help strengthen your immune system, may help strengthen your immune system, may help strengthen your immune system, making you less likely to get making you less likely to get making you less likely to get sick. Next word is stress response. It sick. Next word is stress response. It sick. Next word is stress response. It means how your body reacts to a means how your body reacts to a means how your body reacts to a challenge or threat both physically and challenge or threat both physically and challenge or threat both physically and mentally. Example, taking cold showers can train Example, taking cold showers can train your body to have a healthier stress your body to have a healthier stress your body to have a healthier stress response. Next word is resilience. It response. Next word is resilience. It response. Next word is resilience. It means the ability to recover quickly means the ability to recover quickly means the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or from difficulties or from difficulties or stress. Example, cold exposure can build stress. Example, cold exposure can build stress. Example, cold exposure can build mental resilience by teaching you to mental resilience by teaching you to mental resilience by teaching you to stay calm under stay calm under stay calm under pressure. The last word of today is pressure. The last word of today is pressure. The last word of today is metabolism. It means the chemical metabolism. It means the chemical metabolism. It means the chemical processes in the body that convert food processes in the body that convert food processes in the body that convert food into energy. Example, some studies into energy. Example, some studies into energy. Example, some studies suggest cold showers can boost your suggest cold showers can boost your suggest cold showers can boost your metabolism and help with fat loss.
08:00metabolism and help with fat loss. metabolism and help with fat loss. [Music]