logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2021
14m 42s

Cold Shower

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Michael delves into the science of cold water immersion, revealing how just a little bit of physical stress might go a long way to improve your heart health, boost your mood and help keep colds and flu at bay. To find out more, he speaks to Professor Mike Tipton from Portsmouth University who’s been researching exactly what happens in your body when you’re doused with cold water, and why it might have a positive impact on your body and brain, with lasting effects.

Up next
Jul 2024
A Celebration of Michael Mosley
On Just One Thing Day (12 July, 2024), BBC programmes, presenters, listeners and viewers celebrated the life and work of Michael Mosley. This is a compilation of our favourite moments from the day.Producer - Nija Dalal-Small Assistant Producer - Will Hornbrook Assistant Producer ... Show More
44m 21s
Jun 2024
There's Only One Michael Mosley
Michael's last interview, How to Live a Good Life, is with psychologist Paul Bloom and was recorded in the BBC tent at the Hay Festival on 25 May, 2024.Paul is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Cognitive Science at Yale and Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto ... Show More
40m 51s
Jun 2024
Eat Slowly
In our bustling modern lives, it can be all too easy to wolf down our meals on the go, and never take the time to enjoy them properly. In this episode, Michael Mosley finds out how simply slowing down the speed at which you eat can help you feel full for longer, snack less, and i ... Show More
14m 40s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
The Science of Cold Water Therapy & How to Start
We know how fabulous getting out in the water can be for our mental health & overall well-being but there's a growing body of research showing that cold water can be absolutely transformative, whether it's from your shower, pool or the ocean. So what is it ACTUALLY doing to our b ... Show More
38m 7s
May 2021
Mike Tipton on how our bodies respond to extreme conditions
As the craze for cold water swimming continues, Jim Al Khalili talks to triathlete and Professor of Extreme Physiology, Mike Tipton. Is it as good for our mental and physical health as many enthusiasts claim? And do the benefits go beyond a rush of adrenaline causing feel good en ... Show More
32m 27s
Oct 2023
Chilling Secrets: Unlocking Cold-Water Therapy's Power with Dr. Mark Harper : 1096
<p>In this episode of The Human Upgrade - anesthetist and researcher, Mark Harper, M.D., Ph.D., shares how the power of cold-water practices can treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, arthritis, migraines and other health conditions you may be experiencing.</p><p>Despite all the attent ... Show More
50m 21s
Oct 2023
Plunge into Cold Therapy: Reduce Stress, Sleep Better, Get Stronger with Dr. Susanna Søberg
What are the mental and physical benefits of cold therapy? There’s one element of my morning routine that I get asked about a lot: taking a cold shower. Even though we’ve talked about cold therapy before, the idea of submersing yourself in cold water can be intimidating. But ther ... Show More
20m 56s
May 2025
Saunas, cold exposure, and your health: what the science says | Dr. Susanna Søberg & Prof. Tim Spector
Unwrap the truth about your food 👉 ⁠Get ZOE’s new app Most of us avoid the cold. We crank up the heating, bundle up in layers, and curse every icy gust of wind. But what if freezing — or even sweating — could be the key to better health? In this episode, Jonathan is joined by tw ... Show More
1h 2m
May 2022
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Cold Water Exposure With Professor Mike Tipton
Today’s guest is a world-renowned professor of Human and Applied Physiology. Professor Mike Tipton spent 35 years working in the areas of thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology and is a world expert on survival in extreme environments.  Mike has published ove ... Show More
1h 7m
Apr 2022
Using Deliberate Cold Exposure for Health and Performance
I describe mechanisms by which deliberate cold exposure can enhance mental health, physical health, and performance. I detail specific protocols to safely engage in deliberate cold exposure, including minimal exposure times, time-of-day effects, determining optimal temperatures, ... Show More
2h 11m
Apr 2025
The benefits of cold water swimming - re-published
In this episode of Anaesthesia on Air, we are re-publishing an archived episode by Dr Toni Brunning and Dr Lucinda Williams as they discuss clinician wellbeing with a focus on open-water and cold-water swimming, including the physical and emotional benefits. The podcast explores ... Show More
16m 39s
Nov 2023
Ready to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it
Dipping in cold water is a growing trend. It's not just for the thrill — people who cold plunge say it helps with anxiety, metabolic health and more. But is there science to support those claims?See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for ... Show More
20m 23s