Cold Showers Could Be the Next Big Health Trend in Connecticut

According to Study Finds, taking a cold shower every day could help reduce the number of days you spend feeling sick. And naturally, I can already picture this becoming the next big wellness trend in Connecticut, where people are apparently willing to do just about anything if somebody tells them it's good for their health.

A new study out of Switzerland looked at adults who made cold showers part of their daily routine for 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to finish their showers with water turned all the way down to the coldest setting, staying under it for anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. Some took entirely cold showers, others alternated between hot and cold, and a control group stuck with warm water.

The people who committed to exclusively cold showers reported 26% fewer days feeling sick and 31% fewer sick days away from work. So apparently, freezing your backside off before you've even had breakfast might have some benefits.

There are a few reasons to take those findings with a grain of salt, though. Participants weren't randomly assigned to the different shower routines. They volunteered based on their habits, which means people who already enjoy extreme cold exposure might be healthier or more physically active to begin with.

The study also relied on people reporting their own symptoms, rather than doctors confirming illnesses. The average participant was just 26 years old, and the reported reduction in sick days amounted to a relatively small number of days over the study period.

Still, don't be surprised if cold showers start popping up alongside cold plunges at gyms and wellness centers around Connecticut. We've already got people voluntarily climbing into tubs of ice water. Apparently, the next step is standing under an icy shower and pretending you're enjoying it.

I'll stick with hot water, thanks.