ICE BATH

While the thought of deliberately exposing your entire body to freezing-cold temperatures might sound counter-intuitive, cold exposure (also known as cold therapy) has several scientifically-validated health benefits.

1. Increases Energy Levels

Norepinephrine pathways in the brain. Exposing your body to cold temperatures for short periods causes changes n hormone secretion. For example, studies have shown that the secretion of norepinephrine increases during cold exposure. (Norepinephrine is one of the hormones responsible for regulating attention, focus and energy.)

2. Triggers Hormesis and Improves Resilience

Much like exercise, cold exposure is a stressor that can make you stronger.

Exposing yourself to extreme temperatures makes your body more resilient. That’s because the initial shock of heat or cold exposure allows your body to adapt and become stronger through a process called hormesis In many ways, your body adapts to frigid temperatures similarly to how it adapts to intense workouts: it’s uncomfortable initially, but as your body adapts, it becomes stronger.

3. Speeds Up Physical Recovery

Cold water causes your blood vessels to constrict.

If you watch professional sports events or the annual CrossFit Games, you may have seen athletes take ice baths after or between intense workouts. That’s in part because studies have shown that cold exposure can increase oxygenated blood flow, thus speeding up muscle recovery and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness.

Enabling your body to heal muscle damage quicker can promote muscle growth and lead to a reduced risk for injury.When you jump into ice-cold water, your central nervous system causes the blood vessels in your extremities to constrict to force the warm blood to your vital organs. As a result, circulation in your arms and legs gets temporarily restricted.

However, once you get out of the cold water, your blood vessels dilate, thus triggering increased blood flow to the muscle tissue in your extremities and skin.

Combining infrared sauna bathing with ice bathing to amplify those positive effects. Not only does that dramatically increase blood flow, but the constriction and dilation is also a great workout for my blood vessels. If you don’t have an infrared sauna, you can take a hot shower before or after your cold plunge.

4. Improves Your Discipline

Your first ice bath at home may feel pretty intense.

Making the conscious decision to submerge yourself in cold water requires discipline and mental strength – especially if the temperature outside the tub is in freezing territory.

The good news is that if you manage to overcome your fear and hesitation, you’ll be mentally stronger from knowing that you have what it takes to succeed in even the toughest conditions.