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Cameron Allen
All the rage around the health and wellness space is around cold water immersion. Cold Plunging is a process that has become extremely popular over the past two years due to the popularity of the practice on social media. Many companies are helping people reach their peaks and at the forefront of this trend is Cold Plunge. In this article, we will be taking a look at the benefits of cold plunging for athletic performance.
Benefits Cold Plunge: What are the Benefits of a Daily Home Cold Plunge?
1. Reduces Inflammation:
Cold Plunges reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and reducing metabolic activity, which can alleviate pain caused by joint, muscle, and tissue inflammation.
2. Boosts the Immune System:
Exposure to cold temperatures causes your body to produce more white blood cells responsible for fighting off infections.
3. Improves circulation:
Immersing yourself in cold water causes your blood vessels to contract and then relax, improving circulation and delivering more oxygen-rich blood to your organs and muscles.
4. Enhances Mood and Reduces Stress:
The shock of the cold water can help relieve stress and anxiety, while also helping you to feel more awake and alert.
5. Promotes Better Sleep:
After a Cold Plunge, your body will work hard to regulate its temperature back up again – this process helps to tire you out so that you can get a better night’s sleep.
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
Benefits of Plunging for Athletes
Boosting Your Immune System
Cold Plunging can boost your immune system by stimulating the release of Endorphins and Adrenaline, which helps improve circulation and raises white blood cell count. It also promotes healthy lymphatic flow, helping to rid the body of toxins, bacteria, and viruses.
The cold water also helps strengthen your body’s natural defense mechanism by increasing its ability to fight off viruses and other infections.
Improved Circulation
Cold Plunging can help improve circulation by causing the body to constrict and expand the blood vessels. The cold water causes the blood vessels to narrow, forcing more of your body’s circulating blood into your core, which then increases overall circulation.
This improved circulation helps flush out toxins and impurities from your cells, which can lead to improved overall health. It is also been known to help reduce inflammation.
Reduces Inflammation
Cold Plunging can reduce inflammation by reducing the temperature of the body. When the body is cold, blood vessels constrict, which reduces inflammation and swelling. Additionally, when the skin is exposed to cold temperatures, it releases endorphins that act as natural painkillers and reduce inflammation.
Inflammation occurs when your body has a response to some type of irritant. Irritants can occur in the body without us even knowing it at times. A large part of this has to do with diet and what we put in our bodies, to begin with. The unfortunate truth in today’s world is that we have to watch what goes into our bodies. It is no longer news that some new company is pumping foods with preservatives or GMOs that are harmful to us and cause things like inflammation.
Finally, cold water will reduce lactic acid buildup in muscles, which helps to decrease soreness from intense physical activity.
Improves Blood Circulation
A Daily Home Cold Plunge can improve blood circulation by causing the body to constrict its blood vessels and force the blood to circulate faster. This increased circulation helps transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, resulting in a host of potential health benefits ranging from increased energy levels to improved mental clarity.
Cold Plunging on a regular basis is a great way to help boost immunity and promote muscle recovery after exercise.
Helps You Better Manage Stress
A Daily Home Cold Plunge can help reduce stress by decreasing Cortisol levels in the body. Cold Water Exposure triggers a physiological response called “Cold Shock Response” which increases heart rate and blood pressure; this prepares the body to cope with the cold temperature, releasing endorphins and other hormones which reduce stress and anxiety.
The cold water also helps to speed up metabolism and circulation, improving overall mood and reducing fatigue. Additionally, it can help improve sleep quality, and even reduce inflammation in the body.
Improves Your Sleep
A Daily Home Cold Plunge can improve sleep by decreasing body temperature and helping to relax the nervous system. Cold Plunges can help reduce inflammation in the body, leading to improved circulation and better quality sleep. Additionally, decreased body temperature can increase Melatonin production, which is a hormone associated with healthy sleep cycles.
Increases Energy Levels
A Daily Home Cold Plunge can increase energy levels by increasing circulation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the release of Endorphins (the body’s natural feel-good hormones).
Cold Plunges trigger a “fight or flight” response in the body, forcing it to create more energy to try and stay warm. This increased energy encourages blood flow throughout the body, bringing more oxygen to tired muscles and helping them recover faster. It also helps reduce inflammation by reducing soreness and stiffness in joints, allowing for better overall mobility.
Finally, Cold Plunges can stimulate the release of Endorphins which produce a feeling of euphoria and natural energy.
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
My Experience With Cold Plunging
My experience with Cold Plunging was very surprising.
I had heard of it many years ago when I first tried it but never thought it could be so beneficial. The initial cold exposure to the water feels incredibly invigorating and refreshing. It helps to reduce inflammation and can help with muscle soreness and fatigue. I have found that taking a Cold Plunge after a workout or strenuous activity can really help to speed up the recovery process.
Physically, it helps to stimulate circulation and encourages my body to heal faster by increasing blood flow throughout the body. Mentally, it helps me to stay focused and motivated as the Cold Water Shock sets off a pleasant jolt of energy throughout my body which helps me to stay alert and focused.
Overall, Cold Plunging and Cold Water Therapy is an activity that I highly recommend for anyone looking for an effective way to improve their physical health, stress hormones, mood disorders, cardiovascular health, mental health, mental well-being, and energy levels.
Cold Plunging is also great for joint pain, pain relief, sore muscles, entire body rejuvenation, weight loss, and blood circulation, helps to lower your blood pressure, and has many mental health benefits.
Boosts Physical Performance in Sports
Plunging has been known to help boost physical performance in sports due to the positive impact that it has on one’s body. Cold water therapy has been proven to lead to less muscle soreness when used as a recovery tool.
Being an extreme athlete like those in snowboarding, MMA, or any other sport requiring high levels of intensity calls for a proper recovery routine in place. Cold Water therapy in the form of a plunge, ice bath, or cold showers are an essential piece to that puzzle.
Tips to Make Your First Cold Plunge or Ice Bath a Success
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Go in knowing it is going to be very cold. The benefits of cold water therapy far outweigh the discomfort you will experience. Keep this in mind and go into the experience ready to push yourself.
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Bring a warm set of clothes and towels. Most places you go to that have Cold Plunge Tubs will also have towels but it does not hurt to bring your own. Your body will feel different after you dunk yourself in freezing temperatures so when it is all over getting into a nice set of clothes that will warm you up is needed.
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When submerged in the water the best way to push past the discomfort is to focus on your breathing. This is much easier said than done. Deep breathing and focus will help calm your body down to the sudden immersion in the tub.
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Work your way to getting your whole body in the tub. Most of the time, when starting out it is okay if you can only get the upper body submerged. Work your way to getting comfortable with a full-body submersion over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cold Plunging worth it?
In our opinion, yes. Our recovery time has drastically improved since starting a routine. Many people that train jiu-jitsu at our gym has their own Tub at home. when you are training multiple times a day, whether consistent weight training or preparing for your next fight, the benefits of a post-workout ice bath are crucial.
What should I expect?
You should expect a shock if it is your first time. The water is very cold and this is not an exaggeration.
Safety Tips for Cold Immersion
Be sure to consult with medical professionals if you have any pre-disposed issues that have you questioning if plunging is for you. Otherwise, if you are a healthy able-bodied individual, plunging is a safe process.
Be sure to watch your step coming in and out of the cold tub, it can get slippery!
Taking your health to the next level starts with physical exercise that pushes you to your limits and a proper recovery routine. We advocate that in this routine you should add in cold water immersion, time spent in a sauna, and staying flexible with a practice like yoga. Your weight loss, health, and wellness journey is about to go to the next level!
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
