I am, oddly, very much in control of my body even though I use warm showers. By all means, find your joy in cold showers - but it's worth keeping in mind that they're exactly what you call them, self-flagellation. I choose to forgo that, as well as cilice and living in a cloister.
Yes, the anti-inflammatory response is great. But usually, an ice-pack does a better job because it is targeted. Only very few moments in life bring inflammation for your entire body. We really should stop pretending there is value in suffering for suffering's sake.
By all means, do the things that make you happy. Just realize that they are "you" things, not universal truths.
I'll take a cold shower occasionally, usually for specific reasons (just came inside from hot, dusty work and want to cool down). It's no more uncomfortable than jumping into a cold creek to swim as a kid, it kind of amazes me that people do it thinking there's a philosophical aspect to it.
I would almost argue that maybe if you think that's uncomfortable in some significant way that you live a very comfortable life.
Yes, the anti-inflammatory response is great. But usually, an ice-pack does a better job because it is targeted. Only very few moments in life bring inflammation for your entire body. We really should stop pretending there is value in suffering for suffering's sake.
By all means, do the things that make you happy. Just realize that they are "you" things, not universal truths.