We’re all about self-care at Woman’s Way.

In this issue, Carissa Casey tries cold showers to see if they really are as good for mind and body as the experts claim.

The science behind cold water immersion is indisputable. It’s not only good for us but hard-wired. It’s only since the advent of electricity that we humans have lived in near constant warmth.

That said, I’m not someone who likes the cold. A few years back, I had a brief encounter with the Irish sea which resulted in a screaming fit I’m surprised didn’t make the headlines on the Six One News. I have heard reports that a last cold rinse works wonders after washing hair but I’ve never been tempted to try.

But age is a curious thing, prompting us to shell out serious money for creams that promise to keep us young. What if the simple act of turning the shower to cold could stave off the ageing process?

WHAT?

A week of cold showering, which according to aging expert Professor Rose Anne Kenny (see page 16) only means turning the temperature to cold for the last five seconds of the shower. The aim is to shock the body, not induce a bout of hypothermia.

WHY?

Cold water immersion has numerous benefits, including the release of Noradrenaline - a hormone that boosts brain and body cell performance, as well as regulating heart rate, blood pressure and the release of energy.

Noradrenaline decreases with age so extra stimulation helps stave off the ageing process. Cold water immersion also improves immune response, burns calories and can treat depression.

STARTING OFF:

I have to admit that for several days, despite my best intentions, I kept ‘forgetting’ to turn the dial to cold until I was out of the shower and snuggly wrapped in a towel. The first morning I remembered, I was a complete chicken and bailed before the water had gotten just lukewarm. Then I found my big girl (waterproof) pants and went for it. There was a moment of ‘aghhh’ and I lasted I’d say three seconds. Finally I got there - for a slow count of five.

First impressions? I was wide awake and ready to get on with the day.

MIDWAY THROUGH:

I surprised myself by actually getting used to turning the dial to cold at the end of my shower and revelling in my ability to stay put. (The husband not so much when he jumpedinto what he thought would be a lovely warm shower and discovered someone had turned it to cold.) A big motivator for me was the immediate benefit for my hair. The final cold water rinse really did leave it much smoother and softer.

END RESULT:

Yup, I’ll be adding this to my routine from here on. There really is something very invigorating about cold water in the morning, especially since I’m not much of a morning person. I feel brighter, more energised and, somehow, healthier.

And I’m hoping the long term effects will keep my mind and body from aging more than they already are.

Who knows, I might even venture into the Irish sea again.