A cascade of hot water feels amazing, but paradise doesn’t last forever. After stepping out of the steamy bathroom, the world is a cold and gloomy place. However, the opposite can be made true by turning the knob to blue.

Stepping into a cold shower is like torture, but as they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. A taste of misery puts the small pleasures into perspective. After the freezing water is turned off, the warmth of a towel and clothes hits differently.

Not only does a cold shower bring out the best in life, but it has numerous health benefits. According to Cleveland Clinic, a wash of chilly water increases circulation, hydrates skin, improves mental health and boosts the immune system. Just like exercise builds strength and endurance, a body regularly subjected to cold showers will be more able to cope with life’s challenges.

Using less hot water also does the environment a favor by reducing emissions. Water heaters make up a large portion of each individual’s energy consumption. Slate estimates that an average hot shower uses up 17,000 BTUs (British Thermal Unit) of gas, which can rise to 36,000 for electrical heaters. With a cool shower, the water doesn’t need to be heated much if at all, reducing energy costs.

All that fuel being burned to heat water contributes to carbon emissions that cause global warming. While that’s not much compared to heating a home or driving, taking a cold shower is a small sacrifice that can make a big difference.

I admit that I do enjoy a hot shower on occasion, but it’s a special treat rather than the norm. Next time you step into the shower, try turning the temperature down a bit. It’s not as bad as you think.