Here's why taking a cold shower during a heatwave is incredibly dangerous, experts say
It's getting hot in here.
The dog days of summer are here, and NYC is currently experiencing a scorching heatwave with temperatures reaching well into the 100s.
New Yorkers are doing everything possible to cool off, which may include jumping into a cold shower — however, experts advise against it.
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New Yorkers are doing everything possible to stay cool this week.
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Serious organ damage can be done if people's core temperature stays high for too long, so a cold shower on an extremely hot day sounds like a sensible way to cool your body down, but in reality, it's not helpful at all.
'Although diving into a cold bath or shower straight after being out in the heat might feel nice on your skin, it isn't doing what is needed to reduce the core temperature of the body,' researchers explained in a study published by The Conversation.
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When taking a chilly shower, blood vessels near your skin constrict, which reduces blood flow to certain areas, causing your body to hold heat in and around your organs — something you don't want to happen.
And if the water temp in your shower is borderline freezing, a domino effect happens: your body goes into a 'cold shock response,' which causes the skin's blood vessels to rapidly constrict, which then increases your blood pressure since the heart has to work in overtime mode, as explained by The Conversation.
This is bad news for people with heart conditions. Although it's rare, the shocking difference in body temperature, going from hot to cold, can cause an irregular heartbeat and worst-case scenario — can lead to death.
Before panic sets in — jumping into a mildly cold pool, shower or bath won't kill you — just be careful not to bring the water to a freezing temp.
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Taking a freezing shower sounds like a great idea
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Expert-approved ways that are actually efficient in keeping your body cool during this treacherous heatwave are to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol — they can cause dehydration.
It's also recommended to avoid wearing dark-colored clothing and keep your blinds and curtains shut to keep the heat at bay.
And if you own a fan, a simple hack can help keep your home cool and will save you a few bucks on your electricity bill.
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Les Roberts, an energy expert from Bionic, told the Daily Mail that fans should be pointed out the window instead.
'Opening opposite windows or doors allows air to flow through,' Roberts said.
'For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze.'
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