It’s fair to say that most of us don’t find the idea of submerging ourselves into a tub of ice water to be particularly enticing. But as it turns out, it has become a growing trend among health-conscious people all over the world. In fact, there’s a shockingly long list of research-backed health benefits you stand to gain if you’re willing to take the plunge.
Nevertheless, before you commit to jumping into an ice bath, you’ll probably want to know a bit more about what cold plunges actually are and how to properly take one yourself. The following quick and easy cold plunge guide has you covered.
What Are Cold Plunges?
Cold plunges are a form of cryotherapy that involves submerging yourself in an ice bath or another extremely cold body of water. While many people have often performed their cold plunges by jumping into the ocean or a lake during the colder months, it’s now commonly done at home with the help of specially designed cold plunge tubs.
Regardless of where you decide to take the plunge, the frigid temperatures trigger various responses in the body, resulting in an array of health benefits.
What Are the Benefits of Cold Plunges?
While they may not offer the immediately relaxing effects of hopping into warm water, cold plunges have been found to provide a wide variety of health benefits in both the short and long term.
Some of the most amazing among them include the following:
Mood-Altering Effects
To say that “stress is a killer” is not an understatement. Stress is associated with an array of serious medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes, among many others.
The good news is that jumping into an ice bath can have a profoundly positive effect on your mood. That’s because cold temperatures have been found to significantly increase the production of hormones responsible for mood regulation. Dopamine, for instance, can help boost your mood and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Enhanced Focus
Cold plunges also significantly increase the production of noradrenaline, a hormone and neurotransmitter, which can result in improved focus and memory and even help combat fatigue.
Improved Recovery and Immunity
Whether you’re bouncing back from an injury or illness or recovering from a tough workout, it’s always nice to have something that can help you along the way. Cold plunges help to reduce inflammation, allowing you to feel better faster. The exposure to such frigid temperatures reduces blood flow, which is then boosted significantly when your body begins to warm up.
Cold plunges may also strengthen the immune system, which can help to fend off future illness and keep you ready to continue your workout regimen.
Boosted Metabolism
Our metabolism dictates how many calories we burn, so anything that can speed it up can help us burn fat more easily. Cold plunges do exactly that. The body’s reaction to the cold is to kickstart your metabolism to provide it with more heat.
Research has also shown that cold plunges may lead the body to produce more brown fat, which breaks down the glucose in our bodies and helps us both burn more calories and better resist cold temperatures.
Cold Plunge Tips
You may be excited about the prospect of using cold plunges to improve your physical and mental health, but you shouldn’t jump into that ice bath without knowing exactly how to handle them. Follow these tips to ensure maximum safety and optimal benefits:
Speak With Your Doctor
It’s always wise to speak with your healthcare professional about incorporating cold plunges into your routine. They can help to ensure that cold plunges will be both safe and effective for you.
Take It Slow
Cold plunges can become a lot easier after you’ve got some experience with them, but at first they may be pretty shocking. You’ll want to begin with water around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Take it slow at first, and don’t push yourself too far. In time, you’ll be able to handle colder water for longer periods.
Pick a Partner
Having someone there with you while you experience a cold plunge is always a wise choice. They can make sure you don’t overdo it and help motivate you to keep it up until you start feeling all the amazing benefits the cryotherapy method has to offer.
Cold Plunge Baths From New England Spas
To learn more about cold plunge baths, contact New England Spas today by phone or visit your nearest location.
