Contrast shower - doing it with advantage!

Contrast contrast shower - is one of the most popular and accessible ways to temper the body, which consists of pouring hot and cold water on the body in turns.

A contrast shower is a more pleasant and safer procedure than other types of hardening, such as pouring ice-cold water or walking barefoot in the snow. Contrast showers can begin with those who dream one day to become a walrus or dive into a snowdrift after a bath, because even the healthiest body can hardly tolerate such extreme procedures without prior preparation.

Contrast shower has tonic gentle effect on the body, so it can be recommended as a recreational procedure for young children and older people. If it is done according to all recommendations, beneficial effect can be seen already after several procedures.

The alternating effects of hot and cold water have an effect on the whole body. After one procedure you will feel an unprecedented energy boost, and if you start taking a contrast shower systematically, you will notice that your immune system will become stronger, your resistance to various diseases will increase, chronic pain will bother you less, in other words, you will become a healthier person.

Contrast shower has a beneficial effect on all vital processes occurring in the body.

• Especially the difference in temperature has an effect on the skin: It evens out its color, it becomes tighter and firmer. With contrast showers you can even gradually get rid of cellulite.
• It's a great way to teach your body to adjust quickly to changing temperatures, without stress or energy expenditure.
• The effect on the human cardiovascular system Is to improve blood circulation, strengthening the walls of blood vessels and capillaries. For example, the contrast shower is one of the most effective ways to prevent varicose veins.
• It helps regulate the endocrine system, that is, allows you to get rid of problems associated with hormonal disorders.
• To cope with stress, bouts of apathy and depression, insomnia, return vivacity and good humor - all this is possible because of its extensive influence on the human nervous system.
• Many weight loss programs include the mandatory use of contrast showers, so it helps regulate the metabolism.
• For the elderly, the special value is the effect on the musculoskeletal system: regular procedures train the muscles, joints and tendons.

There are no clearly prescribed rules about what time of day it is best to take a contrast shower. Here everything depends on the lifestyle of the person, the state of his body and on individual preferences. For example, athletes usually take a contrast shower after every workout, i.e. several times a day. For them it is an obligatory procedure because the contrast shower has a relaxing effect on the muscles and cleanses the pores of dirt and sweat.

You can take a contrast shower in the evening, but not before going to bed, but a few hours before bed, otherwise there is a high probability that this tonic procedure will prevent you from falling asleep. It is better to do it right after you get home from work or school. This will help you quickly change your mind from business to home.

Like any other method of tempering, the contrast shower is far from being a panacea and in some cases not only does not lead to recovery, but can cause great harm to the body. Despite the fact that the health-improving effect on the body is obvious and proven more than once, there are a number of diseases in which the contrast shower is strictly contraindicated:

• Any cancerous diseases;
• hypertension;
• cerebral vasospasm;
• Other diseases of the blood, heart and blood vessels;
• any inflammations;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases, such as acute tonsillitis, an attack of pancreatitis and some others;
• high body temperature;
• During critical days;
• During pregnancy and lactation.

What is the right way to take a contrast shower? Follow our advice - and everything will work out. Before proceeding directly to the hardening procedures, first wash your body with a loofah and soap or shower gel. This prevents dust and dirt particles from penetrating even deeper into the pores when the skin is steamed.

How to do contrast showers correctly:

1. Start the contrast shower with warm water. Let it soak for a few minutes until you're warm.
2. Then move on to slightly cool water. Turn it on for no more than one minute.
3. Then turn on the warm water again for a few minutes. Alternating for a total of about 6 times.

During the procedure gradually decrease the temperature of the cold water, moving from cool to icy water.

Increase the temperature of warm water more carefully - just hot water is enough, but not boiling water. The main thing is not to burn yourself.

In one procedure you should change the temperature of the water about six times. In this case, the time spent under hot and warm water should be two to three times more than under cold water.

During the procedure, try to move around, turn around, and move your limbs at least a little. Direct the jet of water to different parts of the body. Finish the contrast shower with warm water to close the pores. After the water treatment rub the body well with a terry towel or a sheet. This will help you warm up faster, increase blood circulation and provide a slight massage effect.

As already mentioned above, the contrast shower can give you a good support in the fight against excess weight. Its effect in this case will be two-way:

• exposure to sudden temperature changes combined with a massage with water jets breaks down subcutaneous fat.
• "tightening" the skin, avoiding the appearance of stretch marks as a result of sudden weight loss.

Some of these treatments can be performed directly in your own bathroom, as many bathtubs are equipped with hydro massage, and some models of shower cabins offer a whole range of different treatments: infrared sauna, steam sauna, aromatherapy and chromotherapy.

On the other hand, the contrast shower affects the internal organs, which are involved in digestive processes. Therefore, proper use of contrast showers can speed up the metabolism.

Childhood is the most important stage in human development. Everything that happens during this period has an impact on the rest of his life. This also applies to a healthy lifestyle: its basics should be instilled in the child from its birth. Many pediatricians agree that you can start hardening procedures from the first months of life. But you need to do it very carefully, first consulting with your doctor or home nurse.

The best time to start introducing your child to water procedures is summer. Instead of a contrast shower, you can try sponge bathing to begin with. The water temperature during the first procedure should be about 30 degrees, and every week you should lower it by one degree. The duration of the procedure should not exceed 2 minutes. If the first few weeks of rubbing had no negative impact on the health of the child, you can start taking a contrast shower. The first time the water should be warmer than the wipe. Then you need to gradually reduce it to 15-20 degrees.

• Be sure to consult your doctor before starting the procedure. Do not forget to tell him about all the diseases you have.
• Contrast showers can be taken only when you are completely healthy. Wait until the symptoms of colds or acute exacerbation of chronic diseases disappear.
• Everything should be done gradually. Do not start water procedures abruptly. To begin, for two to four weeks, simply spend a few minutes every day under a shower of comfortable temperature.
• Procedures should be regular and systematic. Contrast showers should be taken at least once a day, or preferably twice a day.
• Start with the feet and gradually work your way up. Showers should be given to all parts of the body except the head. Abrupt change in temperature bad for blood vessels and scalp. You can pour the head separately, less contrasting temperature water.

If you follow all the recommendations, the contrast shower will be a real source of health, vigor and vitality.

We advise you to read our article about hardening of the organism.