How to Take a Cold Shower

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 17, 2022

Many people prefer warm showers, but you may be interested in challenging yourself to take cold showers as a new way to start your day. Or, you may find yourself having to take cold showers at some point due to lack of hot water. Whatever your reason for using cold water in your shower, you can really enjoy it and feel great afterwards by following some simple steps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Washing off in Cold Water

1
Have a towel and dry clothes nearby for after your shower. Gather anything you need to wash off with during your shower, such as your soap, shampoo, and washcloth. Turn on your shower faucet until the water is coming out cold. Remove whatever clothes you don’t want to get wet.^{[1]
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- You'll be pretty cold after your shower, so place at least one towel and your dry clothes on a chair or countertop nearby so they're ready to use right after you're finished.
2
Wash your feet and hands under the running water first. Put your feet under the water first to help your body become slowly used to the cold temperature of the water. Apply some soap to your washcloth and wipe your feet clean.^{[2]
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- Rinse your feet, then wash your hands using the same procedure. Step out of the water so your feet are no longer underneath it.
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3
Splash some cold water onto dry parts of your body. Cup your hands and put them under the water to allow them to fill with water. Take the water and splash some onto a dry area of your body, such as your head, torso, arms, or legs.^{[3]
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- Do this a few times until you’ve gotten a few dry parts of your body wet. This will help parts of your body prepare for going under the cold water all the way.
4
Wash your hair and face next. Bend at your waist to stick your head under the running water to wet your hair and face without getting the rest of your body wet. Remove your head after it's wet, squirt a normal amount of shampoo into your hands, and rub the shampoo into your hair. Rinse it out, then apply and rinse out your conditioner if you use it.^{[4]
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- Apply some soap to your washcloth or your hands to rub onto your face. Wash your face as you normally would, then rinse it, allowing only your face to be under the running water.
5
Turn around and wash your torso, arms, and legs last. Finally, turn around and get your back under the water. Quickly turn back around to get your chest, arms, and legs wet, while avoiding putting your head under water again. Step back out of the water and clean yourself with your soapy washcloth.^{[5]
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- Rub soap all over yourself to wash your body without standing under the water.
6
Rinse off quickly and get out. Step back under the water to rinse the soap off your back, arms, legs, and chest. Turn the water off and dry yourself off with your towel. Get dressed after you’re dry.^{[6]
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- For extra warmth, have a few towels ready to use. Wrap your hair in one, wrap your torso up under your arms with another, and use a third towel to dry your face, arms, and legs the rest of the way.
- Go into a warm room or drink something warm if you find yourself still shivering a few minutes after you’re dried off and dressed.
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Repeat taking a cold shower every day until you get more used to it. After a few days of taking a cold shower, you will become more used to the sensation of being under cold water. The water may not feel quite as cold the more often you take cold showers.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Enjoying a Cold Shower

1
Listen to your favorite music to distract yourself. Make a playlist of 2 or 3 of your favorite songs that inspire you. If you work out, the music you work out to is perfect to play during your shower to help you get through it.^{[8]
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- Try singing along or dancing a bit to your favorite music during your shower to further distract yourself from feeling cold. Just be careful not to slip when the shower floor gets wet and soapy.
2
Tell yourself you love cold showers to change your attitude. Repeat to yourself, “I love cold showers. Nothing can stop me today after this!” Telling yourself these positive phrases will help you feel motivated about your shower.^{[9]
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- Try saying this to yourself in the mirror as well. It’s amazing what positive self-talk can do to improve your attitude.
3
Take slow, deep breaths to calm down during the shower. The cold water will probably make you take short, shallow breaths at first. Try to focus on drawing in a deep breath, then slowly letting it out while you’re under the cold water.^{[10]
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- See if you can finish washing different parts of your body with just 1 or 2 deep breaths. You’ll probably be moving pretty quickly during your shower, so this is totally possible!
4
Visualize you’re somewhere beautiful to help relax yourself. Close your eyes and imagine that you’re under a beautiful forest waterfall during your shower. In your mind’s eye, you can look out under the water and see the rushing river before you, flowing between the trees of a beautiful green forest.^{[11]
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- If you’re more of a beach person, visualize that you’re under a waterfall near your favorite beach instead. Imagine the ocean waves rolling in toward you as you clean yourself with the pure, cool water.
- Continue using whatever combinations of these calming techniques work to help you enjoy your cold showers more.

Community Q&A

Question

Is taking cold showers healthier than taking warm ones?

Community Answer

Cold showers close the pores of your skin and help give you clearer skin, but you can still take a warm shower. If you take a five minute-shower, turning the water to cold for the last minute or two will help your skin.
Question

I have taken a cold shower and find myself shivering. How do I warm up?

COOkie_000

Community Answer

Just take your towel and wrap it around yourself. Wait in your towel a few minutes. Get ready to be hit by the cold air outside your bathroom. For extra insurance, turn off AC/fans so you don't get too cold.
Question

Will taking cold showers help my face look attractive?

COOkie_000

Community Answer

That depends on your skin type. If your skin gets dry really quickly, then no. But mostly yes, most people prefer cold showers over hot ones.