Learn to cope without hot water before you need to! Take a cold shower instead!
Everyday for the last year with very few exceptions I have started the day with a cold shower. That is, just cold water and no hot! I have done this even up in the heights of the blue mountains where the water is very freaking cold.
I found out about it when listening to a Sikh talking about Ishnaan and Sadhana (videos below). It took me months of fighting with myself and chickening out, but the day I did it, I was so pumped. I was jumping mad happy that I had overcome myself to do it and felt like Superman, the feeling was amazing. I never looked back. It took some persistence to stay with it, especially during the winter, you definitely want to get dried of quicker and into warm clothes asap! The cold shower is done just after getting up in the morning.
I just went for it, but I guess you could work up to it slowly if you want to.
The reasons I do this are:
1) Wakes me up. It does. Actually that might be a bit of an understatement.
2) Cured me of my Hayfever. Apparently this is due to the strengthening effect on the mucous membranes
3) Helps circulation by bringing blood to capilliaries and increasing circulation through the body - seems to, I can get out of the cold shower and within seconds and steaming hot, misting up the mirror!
4) Improves the internal furnace, I find I can be warmer when it is cold
5) Makes loosing weight easier (you still have to follow the eat less move more diet!)
6) Makes morning meditation easier
7) It doesn't kill me, so it makes me stronger
8) Detoxifys, by contracting muscles to eliminate toxins - skin and hair also improves.
9) Saves energy
10) Makes me less likely to get inconvenienced in an energy disruption. I will still be showering and being clean without hot water.
11) Saves water - you shower cold until it doesnt feel cold. Stop. Soap. Rinse off, done. Trust me, in the winter, these are very short showers!
I can personally vouch for all these effects. I have not had a cold or flu since I started this, except one time when I was exhausted for other reasons.
Additionally I have eliminated all the "product" from my bathroom except: Toothpaste (fluoride free, natch), Soap and Shampoo. Nothing with Sodium Laureth Sulfate (sp) in it!.
Note: I have read that cold showers should not be taken during by women during her menstrual period. A lukewarm shower is recommended. Generally speaking, hot showers are not good for men or women at any time.
Note2: It is not my intention that you shower cold on an already cold body. My cold showers take place very shortly after I get up and out of bed, and I am still warm from that.
Here are some Youtube clips that started me off.
Medium Youtube Video (3m38s) Ishnaan Therapy (Cold Shower)]
Ishnaan, the science of cold showers
Go for it! When the cold water hits the surface of your skin (which has four layers) all the blood from way deep inside your body rushes to the surface in self-defense, vastly improving your circulation on the spot. This is called Hydrotherapy. It strengthens your entire nervous system. People pay huge sums of money for what is now called "Hydrothermal therapy" when in reality all you need is cold water!
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxHagZ4W5E
Medium Youtube Video (10m54s) Sadhana - Video Lecture by Yogi Bhajan
Cold showers are a component of Sadhana.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=GK4307fPaPY
GO ON I DARE YOU
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