Want to live longer? Try cold showers

by Karen Walrond (Subscribe to Karen Walrond's posts)
Aug 25th 2006 2:04PM

Categories: Healthy Aging, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness

When it comes to tips on living a long healthy life, it's hard to argue with someone who's at least a century and livin' large. Take, for example, Edward Rondthaler: at his ripe old age of 100, he still writes a weekly column for his local newspaper, walks a half-mile every morning and drives himself on errands around his hometown.

His secret for a long healthy life? Cold showers.

"When my brother in 1918 came home from the army, he said, 'Ed, whenever you take a hot shower, end it with an ice cold one and count to 100.' When your older brother tells you to do something, you do it," Rondthaler says.

Hmm ... Yeaaaah.

I really can't stand cold showers, so this probably won't work for me. However, my grandmother, who celebrated her 100th birthday this past June, told me the secret to her long life was, and I quote:

"Rum."

I like her idea much better.

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Comments (43)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

AdamsBriscoe 8-25-2006 @ 6:31PM

Oh man, that is so awesome! (I was going to call it "cool" instead... but the pun would have killed me ;)

Did your grandmother really tell you that? Now THAT'S some advice lol

Karen Walrond 8-25-2006 @ 6:34PM

She really did. However, we're all from the Caribbean, so I suspect that most of my countrymen would agree with her. :o)

K.

Diane 9-15-2006 @ 7:14AM

This is ironic. I have been taking cold showers for the past 30yrs. I'm 61 and I read somewhere that taking a cold shower after showering is good for you. So, I tried it and it works for me.
Sure does make you feel alive.

I am a nurse and I had my own theory on this also.Heat makes things dilate and makes sore muscles feel relaxed.
Then the cold makes the swelling if any go down around the joints. I have arthritis and I fell that it helps a lot.

I did have arthiritis when I started this ritual but I did feel much more alert after the morning shower.
"Try it, you might like it".

Beth 9-15-2006 @ 8:36AM

The Cold shower may not help you to live to 100 however i rinse with cold water after every hot shower it's good for the skin and great for the hair sinse it relaxes the hair and helps to keep the skin moist

Gene Abel 9-15-2006 @ 8:53AM

I beleive the rum thing is true: My Grandmother is 75 yrs. old and jogged a half mile while pushing her sister in a wheel
chair (for fun) and wasn't even winded. she has her pepsi/blackvelvet drink for breafast lunch and dinner.

Gayle 9-15-2006 @ 8:59AM

We were out of hot water for 3 months (summertho) Cold showers felt good. we have hot water now. But i tried cold again stuck my toe in it. I'll take warm water anyday. lol but if you can stand it (cold water) in cooler weather. cold showers does make you feel good. Happy 100 to you. Good Luck

Virginia 9-15-2006 @ 10:31AM

I believe he is living this long because he moves around everyday and he works still, getting the blood flowing by exercise does more magic for the body than you know, I don't care for the idea that you shock your body like that with ice cold water, but maybe it can't hurt.

Megabeth1 9-15-2006 @ 9:43AM

Yes, we were at the Price is Right recently and someone asked Bob Barker (82) how he stays looking so good. His response? "Makeup and booze."

patty ramirez 9-15-2006 @ 9:51AM

wonderwonderful to have a long life like that.i cant picture what all the changes you have seen hey maybe i better try rum cold showers no thanks

Santosh 9-15-2006 @ 10:05AM

I dont believe cold shower story as I am from Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. 90% of neople there take shower with cold water everyday and life rate over there is 60 years average.

Virginia Bates 9-15-2006 @ 2:59PM

I have a suggestion - how about Cold Rum???

Belinda 9-15-2006 @ 10:23AM

I guess if

I drink enough rum....the cold shower ....wont be so bad...and if you have a friend to enjoy it with...so cold shower with a bottle of rum and some friends ....gonna try it.

Armando Lopez 9-15-2006 @ 10:28AM

Man that is awesome!!!! I can't stand cold showers but I might give it a try when I get older ....... I'm 25 now lol........

Bob 9-15-2006 @ 10:37AM

You mean I can keep drinking and popping pills and a cold shower will just keep me going? LOL. The guy looks great for 100, but really, do you want to live to be 100? Yikes. You look like you died 20 years ago, sex is a cloud of memories and going to the bathroom is the biggest joy of the day. Please. 100 is just too many years. Now if we could look like we are 40 or 50 at 100 that would be different.

fran 9-15-2006 @ 10:43AM

switching from hot to cold aids in circulation:)

mageen 9-15-2006 @ 10:59AM

Ed, big brothers will tell their little brothers the darndest things knowing full well that the little shrubs will believe anything.

Now, as for venerable grandmothers . . . you can take their word to the bank!

HECTOR 9-15-2006 @ 11:12AM

you look great at 100 years old ,i'll take your advice on the cold showers.

Gaylen 9-15-2006 @ 11:30AM

I've known several people 80years and over who claim that
a laxative at least once a month will prolong life. Think
about it, every so often we tune up our cars....get the oil changed to make it run smoother, right??? well, i think its the same with your body. We gotta get rid of the toxins etc. to
allow for good health.

Lori 9-15-2006 @ 11:30AM

Alcohol does seem to have a "preserving" affect. lol

Mary 9-15-2006 @ 1:02PM

Cold showers do aid in circulation. A trick for women with varicose veins is to wash your legs with cold water, or to take a cold shower. I also read a beauty tip about cold water. For a better complexion, rinse your face with cold water a few times a day. It's difficult to stand, but you can get used to it after a while. Mind over matter.

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