Cold Showers: Energizer and Immune Booster

Strong brief stimuli, such as cold showers, heat and sweating, short intensive physical activities, etc., are highly beneficial for the immune system and many other bodily systems. Cold applications can additionally prepare your body in autumn for the cold winter season. Shower in the morning, initially for 15 to 120 seconds with cold water. Build up the duration of cold showering gradually and extend it to 3 minutes. Before cold showering, ensure that you are well warmed up. You may also begin with a warm shower until the body is warmed. The famous water therapist Kneipp cured his tuberculosis through regular short baths in the cold Danube followed by brief sprints. He primarily employed short stimuli. However, Kneipp’s approach extends beyond pure hydrotherapy. Kneipp’s fundamental principles are based on water treatments, the application of plants, movement, nutrition, and balance. Kneipp affusions: No shivering should occur. It is best to use a hose and hold it at the front end with one hand. Always begin at the point furthest from the heart on the back of the hand or foot. With cold affusions, inhale beforehand and exhale during the affusion. Alternating affusions begin with warm water (36 to 38°C) for approximately half a minute. This is followed by a cold affusion of 5 to 10 seconds. This can be repeated twice. With cold water applications, which according to Kneipp should not exceed one second to one minute, blood vessels are briefly constricted and subsequently dilated through temperature stimuli via the skin. This promotes circulation throughout the entire body, strengthens the immune system, stimulates circulation, metabolism, and the nervous system, and invigorates the body. Water treading in water up to below the knee at a water temperature below 18°C, also beneficial in the evening for falling asleep. Afterward, put on warm socks. Kneipp’s concepts have been adopted and further developed in many other health approaches. Success with stronger cold stimuli for immune system stimulation has also been reported. This is recommended by Wim van den Hof. Ideally, this is preceded by several minutes of bellows breathing (see article). According to his experience, this combination has a significant impact on the immune system and trains the cardiovascular system. Studies have demonstrated that inflammatory reactions can be reduced through this method.