Table of Contents
Cameron Allen
At this point, it has been a while since we were out of high school sports. One thing I vividly remember was that our coaches always pushed us to do ice baths after a hard training session so that our bodies could come back stronger than ever. Those ice baths helped with joint pain, and sore muscles, and gave us more energy to compete at the highest levels. Little did we know, these coaches were really onto something. The trend of dunking yourself in ice-cold water has taken the world by storm with the Cold Plunge Tub. What are the benefits of having a Cold Plunging routine? In this article, we will run through the way Cold Water Therapy through Cold Water Exposure is beneficial for your health, and mental well-being, and promotes an overall healthy lifestyle.
What Are the Benefits of Cold Plunge and Cold Therapy?
1) Speeds Up Physical Recovery for Athletic Performance
Cold Water Plunges can help speed up physical recovery for athletes by reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, and helping to flush out lactic acid from the body. Cold Water Immersion can also improve mental clarity and alertness, decrease muscle soreness, and reduce overall fatigue. Athletes who use cold plunge tubs regularly can enjoy improved performance and faster recovery times after workouts or competitions.
2) Boost Your Immune System
Cold Water Plunges can help boost your immune system by increasing blood circulation and improving lymphatic drainage. Cold Water Immersion helps reduce inflammation, which can be a common cause of many illnesses. It also reduces stress levels and increases the production of endorphins, which are hormones that help to regulate the body’s response to stress. Cold water plunges also stimulate the production of white blood cells, which help your body fight off infection and disease.
3) Improves Resilience and Boosts Your Mood
The Cold Water Plunge can have a profound impact on your mental health and resilience. Taking the plunge in cold water stimulates the brain to release naturally occurring hormones such as Serotonin and Dopamine. These hormones are known to promote feelings of happiness and relaxation, as well as an increased sense of focus and clarity.
Cold Water Immersion also has a number of physical benefits that can help improve your overall resilience. It increases blood flow throughout the body, which helps to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Additionally, it helps to strengthen your immune system by stimulating white blood cell production. This in turn can help you fight off illnesses more efficiently.
Finally, Cold Water Plunges can help reduce stress levels by promoting deep breathing techniques that increase oxygen intake and slow down your heart rate. This combination of physical and mental benefits can help you become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
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4) Improves Blood Circulation and Reduces Inflammation
A Cold Water Plunge has a powerful effect on the body, due to its ability to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation. Cold Water Plunges cause Vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessels in response to cold temperature.
This constriction reduces inflammation, allowing nutrients and oxygen to be better circulated through the body. Additionally, when taking a Cold Water Plunge, the body releases Norepinephrine and Endorphins, both of which help improve overall circulation by increasing blood flow throughout the entire body. Cold water also helps to invigorate the lymphatic system, which removes toxins from cells and carries them away from the body.
5) Prevents (and improves) Mental Health Conditions
There are many mental health benefits to Cold Water Plunges. . First, the shock of cold water can act as a distraction from intrusive thoughts, worries or anxieties. The physical sensation of the cold can interrupt the thought pattern and provide a break from rumination. The shock of cold water may also stimulate the body to release endorphins, which are natural mood-enhancing chemicals that help reduce stress levels and boost feelings of well-being.
Additionally, submerging oneself in cold water can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for reducing heart rate and blood pressure and calming down an individual after stressful situations. Regular exposure to cold water may therefore lead to improved stress management skills. Finally, regular exposure to cold water has been linked to increased resilience against depression and anxiety due to its ability to regulate hormones such as Cortisol and Serotonin.
6) Helps You Better Manage Stress
Cold Water Plunges have been shown to have a variety of health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety. The cold temperatures in the water trigger the body’s natural fight-or-flight response, which can help to reset the body’s stress response system. This allows the body to become more resilient against future stressors. Additionally, this method of stress relief can also improve mood and provide a sense of calmness.
7) Improves Your Sleep
Cold Water Plunges can help improve sleep by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and increasing the amount of oxygen to your tissues. By reducing inflammation, cold water plunges can reduce the amount of pain and stiffness in your body. It also improves circulation which means that more blood is flowing to your muscles and organs. Increased oxygenation helps promote relaxation and improved sleep quality. Cold Water Plunges may also release endorphins which can help to improve mood and reduce stress levels.
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My Experience With Cold Plunging and Cold Water Therapy
I tried cold plunging for the first time a few years ago and it was an interesting experience. Cold Plunging is a form of hydrotherapy that involves sitting in a tub full of cold water, typically between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, for anywhere from 1-5 minutes. The idea behind this practice is that it can help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, boost your mood and energy, and even reduce stress levels.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the Cold Plunge was how intense it felt! It felt like a thousand tiny needles were stabbing me all at once and my body responded with an immediate shock. This sensation lasted for about the first 30 seconds before my body began to adjust and the feeling started to subside. Once I got used to it, however, I actually started to enjoy the sensation as it provided a sense of relaxation and clarity that you don’t always find elsewhere.
After five minutes in the Cold Plunge, I emerged feeling refreshed and energized. My skin felt softer than usual due to increased circulation throughout my body and my mood improved significantly as well. Since then, I have continued using Cold Plunges on a regular basis and am surprised at how quickly they can help me feel better after a long day.
Cold water therapy has been an excellent addition to my post-workout routine. At this point I train BJJ about 4-5 times a week and have dedicated at least 3 days per week at the gym. As my business scales and receive a bit more time freedom I look to boost these numbers and spend the majority of my days working, lifting, and training.
4 Tips to Make Your First Cold Plunge or Ice Bath a Success
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To get the most out of your experience do a post-workout ice bath to receive the max benefits of cold therapy
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Work your way to dunking your whole body into the water. It is common to not get past your upper body in your first session due to the stress of sudden immersion.
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Bring a warm set of clothes and a towel for after your plunging session.
- Cold Water Immersion can be a bit of a shock at first. Come mentally prepared to push yourself.
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If you are looking to implement a strong recovery routine into your already active life be sure to consider a cold plunging routine and possibly a routine of spending time in a sauna. Cold Plunging leads to pain relief in muscles and joints after strenuous workouts, an improvement of mental fortitude, and promotes body functions on a cellular level. The benefits of cold water therapy are well documented for weight loss, improvement of vital organs, and helping people burn off stubborn brown fat.
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.
