As a Health Editor who works out six times a week, here’s how cold water showering transformed my post-workout routine

If, like me, you’re someone who loves working out, then the chances are you’re also constantly on the lookout for simple yet effective ways to boost your recovery. You’ve probably seen influencers on your social media feeds lounging in saunas, cryotherapy chambers and compression boots, following up their dedicated hour of recovery with a leisurely brunch.

But for those of us who have 9-5 jobs, these techniques simply aren’t attainable, and our recovery is often the first thing to go when life gets hectic. We’re all juggling busy schedules, attempting to meet ever-looming work deadlines and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, while we’re at it. Some weeks, even fitting in workouts can be a struggle.

Don’t be disheartened, though—there are plenty of simple and attainable ways to boost your recovery and general wellbeing from home. As the Senior Health Editor here at Fashion’s DIgest UK, I spend a lot of time chatting with top experts about what recovery techniques are genuinely worth your time—and this one pretty regularly comes out tops.

Enter: cold water, one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost both body and mind. The vast majority of us will hop straight in the shower after our workouts, but have you ever considered ending your shower session with a chilly jolt of water for 30 seconds or so?

Sure, it may not be the traditional way to end your shower, but it’s also a seriously simple way to boost feel-good endorphins, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, speed up muscle recovery, and ease muscle soreness caused by lactic acid.

Keen to make your post-workout shower count? Cold water therapy is a powerful tool for both body and mind, as this extensive 2023 study highlights. It’s also something that we can incorporate into our daily routines for that extra bit of self-care.