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Cold showers do more than jolt you awake in the morning. Research suggests they can support your overall health in surprising ways. For starters, cold exposure can boost circulation and help reduce inflammation, which makes it a potential ally for sore muscles and recovery after exercise, according to Health’s 2025 report on cold shower benefits.

Cold showers can also have a positive impact on your mental health. The sudden cold triggers a rush of endorphins, which helps to elevate your mood, sharpen focus, and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, according to Health. In this article, Dove examines the numerous health benefits of cold showering.

Cold showers for fitness gains

For fitness enthusiasts, cold showers can be a game-changer. They support post-workout recovery by reducing muscle soreness and inflammation. The cold water constricts blood vessels, which helps flush out lactic acid and reduce swelling. Some research even suggests that cold showers may contribute to fat burning over time, according to a 2023 Healthline report on cold exposure and body fat.

The truth about testosterone and cold water

There’s a lot of buzz around cold showers and testosterone levels, according to Hims 2025 analysis. While some claim that cold exposure can boost testosterone, the research is still inconclusive. While cold showers might not directly increase testosterone, they can improve overall well-being, which indirectly supports hormonal balance. It’s important to separate myths from facts and recognize that more research is needed in this area.

Cold showers and skin clarity

Looking for clearer skin? Cold showers can help there too. Unlike hot water, which can strip away natural oils and irritate sensitive skin, cold water helps tighten pores, balance oil production, and calm inflammation. This can be especially useful for men who deal with breakouts or oily skin. For best results, pair your cold shower with a gentle cleanser to leave your skin fresh and clean without over-drying.

How to start cold showers without hating life

Ready to take the plunge? Start with contrast showers: Alternate between 30 seconds of cold water and one minute of warm water. This method helps your body gradually adapt to the cold. Focus on deep breathing to manage the initial shock, and over time, you might find yourself enjoying the invigorating experience.

When to skip the cold shower

Cold showers aren’t for everyone, and there are times when you should choose warm or lukewarm water instead. If you’re sick, sensitive to cold, or already stressed, a cold shower might do more harm than good. Listen to your body and choose what feels best for you.

Are cold showers right for you?

Cold showers can do more than just wake you

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In recent decades, researchers have identified a dramatic nationwide shift: The American middle-class family is struggling.

The middle class is a social group that is defined mainly by income. A 2024 report based on 2022 data released by Pew Research Center describes an American middle-class family as one that makes about $45,200 to $135,600 for every three members. That’s about two-thirds to double the size of the median household income.

And although they make up 52% of the population, the average middle-class family’s access to “the good life” is more limited than ever before. As the cost of living rises, wages have stayed the same. This stagnation has had a broadly negative impact on the middle class. Balancing the best short-term and long-term financial decisions leaves many families constantly worried about the present and the future. With limited information on how to plan for both, it’s hard to make decisions without sacrificing the welfare of their families.

But, there are pockets of the country where middle-class families seem to be bucking the trends.

For middle-class families, where they choose to live is a big decision. The socioeconomic factors can significantly impact those who live there, and these factors are even more critical for a family unit.

Living in an urban environment can present many advantages for a family, but it also comes with risks. Urban areas tend to have higher crime rates than rural ones, and specific neighborhoods can be less safe than others. Families from all income levels should consider these factors before they decide on where they want to live.

Researchers at CreditNinja have identified some U.S. cities that have ideal economic conditions for middle-class families. According to the numbers, these cities can offer today’s middle-class family an opportunity to thrive.

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In face-to-face communication, you’re constantly sending subconscious signals to another person without even realizing it. Whether it’s a nod, facial reactions, or short reaction murmurs, they indicate understanding and active listening. Text messaging and digital communications have developed their own equivalents over the years with the use of emojis. AnyWho put together the top mini responses used over text that have become the digital equivalent of “ok,” symbols that serve as lightweight acknowledgments. 

The top 20 message emojis and reactions guide

While you may certainly use different reactions amongst friends as inside jokes, the following 20 message reactions are among the most common: 

1. Thumbs up

Use for: A quick agreement or acknowledgement of a message. 

Avoid when: The subject is a sensitive topic that requires a nuanced response and emotional consideration.  

Cross-app equivalents: Slack – “+1”, Teams – “”, Instagram – “”

2. Heart/love

Use for: Expressing warmth, support, or gratitude. When speaking with friends, family, or loved ones, this can also be used in a romantic or congratulatory context. 

Avoid when: Speaking in a work thread, as it may feel too personal or informal; it can also flatten the tone in conflict. 

Cross-app equivalents: Messenger – “”, Slack – “:heart”

3. Laughing/tears of joy

Use for: Lightening the mood or acknowledging a funny joke that someone shared. 

Avoid when: The message isn’t funny or you may accidentally undermine the seriousness of a conversation with its use. 

Cross-app equivalents: Slack – “:joy”, Instagram – “”

4.

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A new survey of 250 retail supply chain leaders reveals a sector undergoing one of the fastest strategic shifts in decades. Between rising tariffs, geopolitical pressures, and surging consumer expectations, organizations are being forced to rebuild their logistics networks for resilience rather than speed. The study, commissioned by WSI | Kase and conducted by TrendCandy, highlights an industry rethinking everything from supplier geography to warehouse placement heading into 2026.

According to the report, Retail Supply Chain Moves That Will Define 2026, many retailers are accelerating their nearshoring and regionalization efforts. The motivation is not just cost pressure, but a heightened need for control, stability, and agility.

To mitigate risk, 77% of supply chain leaders have already shifted sourcing away from China toward tariff-neutral countries, and 87% are increasing buffer inventory to hedge against volatility. These moves signal a decisive break from pre-COVID-19 pandemic supply chain models built around global consolidation and just-in-time fulfillment.

While global trade volatility continues to reshape strategies, the survey shows that internal challenges, such as capital constraints, technology misalignment, and organizational inertia, may prove equally disruptive in the year ahead.

“Retail supply chains are being reshaped in real time,” the report’s authors note. “Leaders are no longer treating nearshoring or diversification as experimental; they’re becoming strategic imperatives.”

A sector under pressure: Tariffs accelerate change

Three-quarters of retail supply chain leaders say tariff turbulence is redefining their 2026 strategies, prompting a widespread pivot toward regionalization and supplier diversification. Ninety-three percent are now prioritizing diversification within Asia to reduce tariff exposure, and many are replacing single-country dependency with layered sourcing networks that blend domestic, nearshore, and diversified sourcing models.

Kase

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The private jet market, valued at $26.6 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to nearly $50.8 billion by 2034. Suddenly, private aviation is less “secret society of the absurdly rich” and more a service for executives, entrepreneurs, and anyone allergic to airport chaos.

This is possible due to shared ownership models, particularly fractional ownership.

In this article, Fractional Jet Ownership examines growth trends in the private aviation market.

Fractional Ownership on the Rise

Having your own jet parked in the hangar and ready to go is still mostly a lifestyle for the billionaires. Besides the initial investment (ranging from $2 million to $110+ million), a plane comes with a series of ongoing expenses, including maintenance, hangar rental (if you don’t own one), crew salaries, insurance, repairs, and so on.

Now, what’s this about having access to a private plane without paying all the costs?

But the market has grown with the rise of fractional jet ownership. In this model, specialized platforms enable multiple owners to buy a fraction of a private jet and enjoy all the benefits of owning one.

For instance, owning 1/16th of a jet gives a buer access to 50 hours of flight per year. This entails two main costs: the cost of the share (a one-time payment) and a monthly management fee of $5,000 to $10,000+.

Some private companies manage the planes and ensure a plane that’s similar to the one the buyer co-owns will always be ready to take them where they need to go. Such management companies also handle crew hiring, maintenance jobs, scheduling, and more.

Compared to the costs of full ownership, fractional ownership reduces the initial investment. For under $1 million, buyers can have a plane that’s ready to go (with some planning in advance).

The lower entry price point has attracted corporations, government organizations, and high-net-worth individuals who are not part of the ultra-rich.

As a result, the global aircraft fractional ownership market size was valued at $11.2 billion in 2024. Forecasts indicate it will grow rapidly, reaching $23.7 billion by 2033.

Private Aviation Has Benefits Beyond Flying

One reason private aviation is on an upward trend is the degradation of commercial aviation services.

In an interview with Fortune, Janine K. Iannarelli, the founder and president of aviation consultancy Par Avion, affirmed that commercial airlines are losing first-class passengers due to lower-quality service, flight delays, and cancellations. In her opinion, those who no longer enjoy the first-class experience have switched to private aviation.

So it’s not just about flying in style. It’s also about saving time (both in the air and on the ground), reducing stress, and