If you shower with freezing cold water, you’re probably stronger than 95% of people

by Lachlan Brown | October 24, 2025, 12:13 pm

There’s a difference – a big one – between those who shower with hot water and those who brave the cold.

Taking a cold shower isn’t just a test of willpower. It’s a statement of strength, resilience, and grit.

Believe it or not, if you’re part of the cold shower club, you’re likely stronger than 95% of people.

Cold showers aren’t for the faint-hearted. They’re for those who are willing to step outside their comfort zone, to challenge themselves on a daily basis.

1) Embracing discomfort

We all know that comfort zone – a nice, cozy, warm shower where you can relax and unwind.

But what if I told you that stepping out of this comfort zone can make you stronger?

Consider it a challenge. A daily test of your mental strength and resilience.

When you switch that tap to cold, you’re doing more than just bracing for a chilly blast. You’re making a conscious choice to embrace discomfort.

It’s not for everyone. Most people would rather stick with a nice hot shower. And that’s fine. But for those who choose the path less traveled, the icy water can be a testament of their inner strength.

So next time you’re in the shower and you’re tempted to go for the hot tap, remember – choosing the cold water might just make you stronger than 95% of people.

2) My personal experience

I’ll be honest, my initial plunge into the world of cold showers was anything but pleasant.

I had heard about the benefits – increased alertness, improved circulation, even boosted mood. But the thought of willingly stepping into a stream of cold water was daunting.

One chilly morning, I finally mustered up the courage to give it a shot. I turned the knob to cold, took a deep breath and stepped in.

That first icy blast took my breath away. My immediate reaction was to step back, to escape from the discomfort. But I didn’t. I stood my ground. And with each passing second, it got a little easier.

Now, cold showers have become a part of my daily routine. They serve as a reminder that I’m capable of facing discomfort and coming out stronger on the other side.

And let me tell you, if I can do it, so can you. Who knows? You might just find yourself stronger than you ever thought possible.

3) Cold showers and the body’s response

Here’s something you probably didn’t know. When you expose your body to cold water, it triggers a natural response – the fight or flight response.

This response, a fundamental part of our survival mechanism, prepares our body to face a threat. It increases our heart rate, releases adrenaline and enhances our overall physical performance.

By taking a cold shower, you’re basically giving your body a mini workout before you even start your day. It’s like a natural energy boost that sets you up for success.

So not only does braving the cold water improve mental strength, it also has some fascinating physical benefits. It’s just another reason to consider joining the ranks of those stronger than 95% of people.

4) It’s a mindset game

Ultimately, choosing to shower with cold water boils down to mindset.

It’s about seeing the challenge, acknowledging the discomfort, and choosing to proceed anyway. It’s about knowing that the initial shock of the cold water is temporary, but the feeling of accomplishment and strength that comes after is lasting.

This mindset isn’t just applicable in the shower. It can be applied to other areas of life too.

Whether it’s a tough workout, a difficult conversation, or a daunting task at work – having the ability to face discomfort head-on is a game-changer.

So when you turn that shower knob to cold, remember – it’s not just about the shower. It’s about cultivating a mindset of strength and resilience. And that can make you stronger than 95% of people.

5) You’re not alone

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I could never do that”, know that you’re not alone.

Most of us are wired to seek comfort. We’re conditioned to avoid things that make us uncomfortable. But remember, growth often happens outside of our comfort zones.

Taking a cold shower can seem daunting, but it’s not an insurmountable challenge. It’s a small, daily act of bravery. And each time you do it, you’re sending yourself a powerful message: “I am stronger than my discomfort.”

And the best part? Each cold shower makes the next one a little bit easier.

So if you’re considering giving it a shot – know this. You are capable. You are strong. And you might just surprise yourself by being stronger than 95% of people.

6) The power of small victories

I’ll let you in on something. There was a time when I struggled with confidence. I doubted my abilities and often felt overwhelmed by challenges.

Then, I started taking cold showers.

It may sound silly, but those few minutes under the cold water every morning became my daily victory. They became a symbol of my ability to do hard things, to push past discomfort.

Each time I stepped out of that shower, I felt invigorated, empowered. It was a small win, but it had a big impact on my self-esteem.

So, if you’re looking for a way to boost your confidence and prove to yourself that you’re stronger than you think – try a cold shower. It might just be the small victory you need.

7) Building resilience

Resilience is a trait often associated with great strength. It’s the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, to bounce back in the face of adversity.

And guess what? Cold showers can help build this trait.

Stepping into a cold shower is a shock to the system. It’s uncomfortable, it’s challenging, but it’s also temporary. With time, your body adjusts and what once seemed unbearable becomes manageable.

Just like in life, when we go through tough times, we learn to adapt, to weather the storm.

By choosing cold showers, you’re not just building physical resilience, but mental resilience too. And that’s an attribute that can set you apart from 95% of people.

8) It’s all about choice

The most important thing to understand about cold showers is this: it’s a choice.

Every morning, you have the option to take the easy path, to stick with what’s comfortable. Or, you can choose to face the cold water, to challenge yourself and push your boundaries.

Choosing to take a cold shower isn’t just about physical strength or resilience. It’s about making a conscious decision to embrace discomfort, to grow and become stronger.

And if you can make that choice – you’re likely stronger than 95% of people.

Final thought: It’s a testament of strength

The essence of our discussion here isn’t just about the physical act of showering with cold water.

It’s about the strength that lies within each one of us, waiting to be discovered. The strength that enables us to face discomfort, to push our boundaries, and to grow.

Opting for a cold shower every morning is a small act, but it carries a significant message. It tells a story of resilience, determination, and mental fortitude.

Though it may sound trivial, this daily ritual could potentially reflect an individual’s inner strength that sets them apart from 95% of people.

So next time you step into the shower and face the choice between comfort and challenge – remember, choosing the latter might just affirm your strength in more ways than one.

It’s not just about cold showers. It’s a testament to your inherent strength.

Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Brown Brothers Media, a digital publishing network reaching tens of millions of readers monthly. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, though his real education came afterward: a warehouse job shifting TVs, a stretch of anxiety in his mid-twenties, and the slow discovery that studying the mind is not the same as learning how to live well. He started experimenting with Buddhist principles during breaks at the warehouse and eventually began writing about what he was learning. That writing became Hack Spirit, a widely read personal development site, and his book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism became a bestseller. His work breaks down complex ideas into frameworks people can apply immediately, whether they are navigating a career change, a difficult relationship, or the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Lachlan splits his time between Singapore and Saigon. He writes about high-performance routines, decision-making under pressure, digital innovation, and the intersection of Eastern philosophy with modern life. His perspective comes from having built things from scratch, failed at some of them, and learned that clarity comes from practice, not theory.