What can you gain by submerging your body in cold water for a few minutes?
One of the hottest trends in health and wellness is taking advantage of the healing power of cold water.
For years, elite athletes have turned to cold plunges, like ice baths in locker rooms, to reduce muscle soreness after tough workouts or games. More recently, cold water plunges have popped up in high-end health clubs and spas. Now, with at-home cold plunges becoming accessible, more people can enjoy the same benefits without leaving their homes.
Health Benefits of Cold Plunges
Reduced Muscle Soreness and Inflammation
Cold water constricts blood vessels, which reduces swelling and inflammation. This helps improve joint flexibility and range of motion.
The cold temperature also constricts your nerves, which slows down pain signals to your brain.
Boosted Circulation
When you submerge yourself in cold water, your blood vessels constrict, directing blood to your core. When you get out and start to warm up, the vessels relax, and blood rushes back to your extremities, carrying oxygen and nutrients that help promote healing.
Improved Immune Protection
Research has found regular use of cold plunges can increase the body’s production of white blood cells and strengthen the immune response Evidence shows even taking consistent cold showers has been linked to fewer sick days.
Improved Sleep Quality
Using a cold plunge can help regulate your body temperature. Combined with reduced pain and lower stress levels, this can lead to better sleep quality.
Healthier Skin
Cold water can make pores appear smaller and improve the overall appearance of your skin. The constriction of blood vessels reduces puffiness and helps the skin look less puffy and more even in tone.
Elevated Mood
Soaking in cold water causes your body to release dopamine and endorphins, these are your bodies “feel good” chemicals.
They help improve your mood and promote a sense of well-being. Some studies have linked regular cold plunging to decrease in depression
Increased Focus and Alertness
Submerging yourself in cold water is a guaranteed way to wake up and feel alert. In addition to dopamine and endorphins, which makes you feel good, soaking in cold water all leads to a release of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine has been shown to elevate alertness, focus, and overall mental clarity.
Greater Mental Resilience
Despite the amazing benefits that it can provide, soaking yourself in cold water is not going to be physically comfortable, especially at first. Regularly facing and overcoming this discomfort helps to develop a sense of mental resilience and toughness. This mental training helps you learn skills that can be transferred to other parts of your life.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Soaking in cold water also helps reduce the level of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is the “stress hormone” and lowering it triggers relaxation responses which help decrease your symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Enhanced Metabolism
Exposure to the cold activates brown fat, which burns calories to generate heat. This can help with regulating your metabolism and weight management. Your metabolism can increase by up to 350% during use of a cold plunge. Regular use of a cold plunge can also help your insulin sensitivity, which helps regulate blood sugar.
Exposure to cold activates brown fat (brown adipose tissue), which burns calories to generate heat. This can help regulate metabolism and support weight management.
According to a study conducted in 2000, metabolism can increase by up to 350% during cold water immersion.
Getting Started with Your Cold Plunge at Home
If you’re ready to bring the benefits of cold plunging into your own home, the Emerge Cold Plunge® from Caldera is a great place to start. Designed for home use, it makes it easy to enjoy the advantages of cold-water therapy safely and conveniently.
As with any major change in your health routine, if you have any concerns about the use of a cold plunge, it is recommended that you check with your physician before starting the use of a cold plunge.