Why Highly Successful People Take Cold Showers – Should You?

Ever wondered why highly successful people take cold showers despite the discomfort? From CEOs to world-class athletes, this seemingly torturous morning ritual has become a hallmark of high achievers. The shocking truth is that this simple habit might be one of the most underrated tools for boosting productivity, enhancing mental resilience, and improving overall wellbeing. But is the temporary discomfort worth the potential benefits, or is it just another wellness trend?

The Science Behind Cold Shower Benefits

Cold showers aren't just a test of willpower—they trigger profound physiological responses that can transform your day and potentially your life. Let's examine what happens when you embrace the chill.

Enhanced Mental Resilience

One of the most compelling reasons successful people embrace cold showers is the mental toughness they develop. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman explains that deliberate cold exposure builds resilience, grittiness, and the ability to move through challenges1. This mental fortitude developed in the shower transfers to other challenging areas of life.

When you willingly step into an uncomfortable situation like a cold shower, you build mental strength and discipline that can be applied to various aspects of your professional and personal life7. This practice of facing discomfort head-on helps successful people develop the resilience needed to overcome obstacles in business and life.

Improved Focus and Alertness

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey claims a cold shower is better than coffee for morning alertness1. The science backs this up—cold exposure activates your sympathetic nervous system, triggering the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, the same chemicals released in ADHD medications1. These neurotransmitters enhance focus and improve memory.

Cold showers increase blood flow to your brain, delivering more oxygen and nutrients that improve concentration while ramping up your nervous system for mental clarity12. This natural cognitive boost helps successful people maintain peak mental performance throughout demanding days.

Mood Enhancement and Stress Reduction

Cold showers can dramatically improve your mood by triggering a 250% increase in dopamine levels that remains elevated for hours afterward1. This natural mood enhancement can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety5.

In a clinical trial, researchers found that taking cold showers for up to five minutes once or twice daily helped relieve symptoms of depression6. The cold exposure activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to a 'fight or flight' response that helps the body adapt to stress, improving resilience to challenging situations5.

Physical Benefits That Support Peak Performance

Successful people understand that physical wellbeing forms the foundation for mental performance. Cold showers offer several physical benefits that contribute to overall health and productivity.

Boosted Immunity and Reduced Sick Days

Perhaps one of the most practical benefits for busy professionals is the impact on immunity. A study published in PLOS One showed that people who regularly took cold showers saw a 29% reduction in sickness-related absences from work3 9. While cold showers didn't prevent illness entirely, they appeared to help people fight through symptoms better and remain productive.

This reduction in sick days translates to more consistent productivity and fewer disruptions to important work—a crucial advantage for high achievers who can't afford downtime.

Enhanced Physical Recovery

James Davies, a high-performance coach whose clients include David Beckham and Mo Farah, uses ice baths to enhance recovery by reducing inflammation1. Cold exposure tightens blood vessels, moving blood to vital organs. As the body warms again, vessels expand, bringing oxygen-rich blood back to tissues and flushing out inflammation6.

This process helps prevent delayed-onset muscle soreness, allowing for more consistent physical training—essential for athletes and active professionals who need their bodies to perform at optimal levels day after day.

Improved Circulation and Metabolism

Cold showers stimulate blood flow, leading to improved circulation throughout the body7. This increased circulation helps deliver nutrients and oxygen more efficiently to all tissues.

Additionally, your body expends energy trying to stay warm during cold exposure, which may result in a small increase in calorie burning and metabolism6. While not a replacement for exercise and proper nutrition, this metabolic boost contributes to overall physical wellbeing.

Who's Using Cold Showers and Why?

The list of successful people who incorporate cold exposure into their routines reads like a who's who of high achievers across various fields.

Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs

Tony Robbins, renowned motivational speaker and entrepreneur, starts his day with a 14-degree plunge1. He believes this practice helps him stay alert and focused throughout demanding days7.

Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder and Square CEO, wakes at 5 a.m. and starts his day with an ice-cold bath3. For Dorsey, cold exposure provides a natural alternative to caffeine for morning alertness.

Tim Ferriss, author of the best-selling 'Four Hour Work Week,' cycles between ice baths and sauna sessions to maximize the benefits of contrast therapy1.

Athletes and Performers

Lady Gaga incorporates a ten-minute ice bath into both her pre-show and post-show routines1. This practice likely helps with both mental preparation and physical recovery.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson takes a cold shower each morning as part of his disciplined routine1. For athletes like Johnson, the physical recovery benefits complement the mental toughness developed through cold exposure.

Other high-achieving ice bath fans include fitness entrepreneur Joe Wicks, World Triathlon Champion Lucy Charles Barclay, and numerous other elite performers1.

How Cold Showers Contribute to Success

The connection between cold showers and success isn't coincidental—specific mechanisms explain why this practice supports high achievement.

Building Willpower and Discipline

Kelly McGonigal, health psychologist and author of 'The Willpower Instinct,' explains that doing uncomfortable activities like taking cold showers helps build willpower and the neural pathways that contribute to resilience3. This strengthened willpower extends beyond the bathroom to help successful people maintain discipline in other areas of life.

Bethany McDaniel, CEO and founder of Primally Pure, notes that her daily cold shower ritual gives her 'the mentality of diving headfirst into things versus procrastinating'2. She reports being less on top of things when she skips her cold showers for a few days.

Developing a Growth Mindset

Regularly facing the discomfort of cold showers helps develop a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Anthony Joshua, two-time former heavyweight boxing champion, believes putting himself in uncomfortable situations helps his mindset and allows him to overcome tough times7.

This mindset is crucial for success, as it encourages perseverance in the face of challenges rather than giving up when things get difficult.

Creating a Consistent Morning Routine

Many successful people attribute their achievements partly to consistent morning routines that set a positive tone for the day. Cold showers provide a structured, repeatable element that can anchor such routines.

The practice signals to your brain that you're starting the day with intention and discipline, creating momentum that carries through to other activities.

How to Start Your Own Cold Shower Practice

If you're convinced of the benefits but intimidated by the prospect of freezing water first thing in the morning, here's how to begin gradually.

Start Small and Build Gradually

Experts recommend starting slow and small by either gradually decreasing the temperature of your shower or finishing your regular shower with a blast of cold water3. Begin with just 5-7 seconds of cold exposure and gradually work your way up.

Danish researchers concluded that cold showering for 11 minutes per week, split between 2-4 sessions lasting 1-5 minutes each, was optimal for benefits12. You don't need to start there—consistency matters more than duration.

Focus on Your Breathing

When first experiencing cold water, your body naturally wants to gasp and tense up. Instead, focus on taking deep, controlled breaths. This not only helps manage the shock response but also trains your nervous system to remain calm under stress.

Try staying in the cold for seven deep breaths, aiming for a long exhale. This gives your mind something to focus on besides thoughts of wanting to escape the cold12.

Track Your Results

Keep a journal of how you feel after cold showers—noting energy levels, mood, focus, and productivity. This personal data will help you determine whether the practice is benefiting you specifically and in what ways.

Many people report that the benefits become more noticeable after 2-3 weeks of consistent practice, so give yourself time to adapt before making judgments.

Common Myths About Cold Showers and Success

Despite the evidence supporting cold showers, several misconceptions persist.

Myth: Cold Showers Are the Secret to Success

Cold showers are not a magic key to success. Success is a complex process involving hard work, discipline, perseverance, talent, and sometimes luck7. While cold showers might support these qualities, they're just one potential tool among many.

Myth: All Successful People Take Cold Showers

While many high achievers incorporate cold exposure into their routines, plenty of successful people don't. Success doesn't hinge on any single habit but results from a multitude of factors working together7.

Myth: Colder Is Always Better

The benefits of cold showers can usually be obtained without extreme temperatures. A shower that's too cold could potentially lead to hypothermia or shock, especially for those not accustomed to it7. Aim for uncomfortable but safe temperatures around 50-60°F (10-15°C)4.

Is Cold Shower Therapy Right for You?

While the benefits are compelling, cold showers aren't suitable for everyone.

Who Should Consider Cold Showers

Cold showers may be particularly beneficial if you:

Struggle with morning alertness and focus
Want to build mental resilience and discipline
Need to improve recovery from physical training
Are looking for natural mood enhancement
Want to reduce work absences due to illness

Who Should Exercise Caution

People with certain health conditions should consult healthcare providers before starting cold shower therapy, including those with:

Heart conditions
Raynaud's disease
Asthma
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Pregnancy

The Bottom Line: Should You Take Cold Showers?

Cold showers offer a remarkable range of potential benefits that align with the qualities needed for high achievement: mental resilience, focus, consistent energy, and physical wellbeing. The scientific evidence, while still developing, suggests meaningful advantages for those willing to endure temporary discomfort.

However, cold showers aren't a requirement for success. They represent one potential practice that supports qualities conducive to achievement. The most important question isn't whether successful people take cold showers, but whether cold showers might help you develop the traits you need for your personal definition of success.

If you're intrigued by the potential benefits, consider starting with a modest cold exposure practice and gradually building up as your body adapts. The temporary discomfort might just lead to lasting improvements in how you feel, think, and perform—potentially becoming one of your own secrets to greater achievement and wellbeing.

Will you take the plunge?