It's cold in there

Have you ever woken up one morning, turned the hot water knob on full, and only had cold water flowing out of the shower head? After letting the water run for a few minutes, still no hot water. You decide either option A, you'll skip on the shower this morning since you don't have the guts to jump in and feel the nerve racking cold liquid that early in the morning as you do your cold water dance. Or option B, man up and take the quickest shower in your life even avoiding to use soap and shampoo so you can get out of the shower FAST.
What if I told you that option B, would be the way to go, even encouraged, every single day!

After reading a few articles online such as these:

http://www.fastcompany.com/3043767/my-creative-life/the-scientific-case-for-cold-showers

http://thehealthylivinglounge.com/2010/02/15/12-essential-reasons-to-take-cold-showers/

I decided to give this cold shower thing a try recently and I think you should too!

A major benefit I see with taking a cold water shower in the morning, even if only for 2-3 minutes, gives you an opportunity so early in the morning to already take on a challenge. If at 7:30 am you are already willing to take on a challenge that probably 95%+ of people in the world that do have access to hot water wouldn't take on, you are setting your day up for success. If you can accomplish the feat of letting ice cold water flow down your body, you are already pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and thus increasing your confidence to take on any other challenge that day. Confidence leads to more confidence, so if you can get the ball rolling early in the day with accomplishing challenges, you'll have a really productive day!

Another benefit I to the cold shower see is the release of endorphins. Endorphins are 'feel good chemicals' released from your brain. When your body is subjected to certain stimuli, the body calls for endorphins to block the transmission of pain signals. The bi product of releasing the endorphins, is a feeling of euphoria that makes you feel good. This is similar to opiates such as morphine/heroin or the feeling you get after a solid run or swim.  By releasing endorphins during a cold shower, you improve your mood and happiness.

The third benefit to a cold shower is the opportunity to relax. When the cold water starts dripping onto your head, the cold shocks your immune system and you begin breathing very fast. After 20 seconds, you realize that just being able to control your breathing and be in tune with your lungs, how much air you inhale, and how you much you exhale, you calm down quick. In essence by controlling your breathing you can relax your mind and body.

Practice makes perfect and i've got a lot of cold water practice to do, but in the meanwhile i will use this guy as an inspiration...