Cold Showers Linked to Fewer Sick Days at Work

Psychologist Lena Glaser conducted research examining the impact of cold showers on health and work attendance. Her study, part of a doctoral dissertation at the University of Basel, analyzed data from three randomized controlled trials involving 719 participants.

The findings revealed that individuals who regularly took cold showers experienced a 31% reduction in work absences due to illness compared to those who did not. Additionally, they reported a 26% decrease in days when they felt ill.

Participants who took cold showers also showed slight improvements in psychological well-being, though physical improvements were not statistically significant. Many participants dropped out in the first two weeks, but the dropout rate decreased afterward.

Among those who consistently took cold showers, 77.3 to 90% reported doing so weekly, depending on the trial. Glaser noted that people gradually adapted to the practice over time.

The study's results align with a 2016 study that found a 29% reduction in work absences for cold shower users. Glaser and her team suggest their findings indicate a clear effect on both illness days and sickness absence.

The researchers also highlight that the observed improvements in well-being contradict the common belief that cold showers would harm comfort. They propose that cold showers may offer a method to enhance mental and physical health, potentially reducing sickness absence.

The study, however, has not been peer-reviewed, relies on self-reported data, and grouped participants based on actual shower habits rather than random assignment. Future research is needed to confirm these results.