5 benefits of cold water therapy will get you started

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Every morning, Tony Robbins He gets up and plunges into a 57-degree ice bath. He, along with many other celebrities, professional athletes, and health and wellness experts, have understood the myriad benefits of cold water therapy on your physical and mental health. But while it’s been gaining traction in recent years, cold therapy has been around for centuries. (Hippocrates is He is often credited As the first person to document the benefits of hydrotherapy in medical practices and Traditional Chinese Medicine The preventive and health-promoting properties of this practice have long supported.) These days, on social media and online, cold water is still making waves in today’s wellness culture.

Although I had heard of taking cold showers to increase energy or soaking in an ice bath to soothe sore muscles, I personally didn’t buy into the benefits until I came across it. Wim Hof and its cold treatment method. (As with many previously under-the-radar wellness practices, I have Goop Lab I thank him for the introduction). After the episode, I knew I had to try it myself. So I dug deeper and was blown away by what I learned.

The benefits of cold water therapy are many, including top competitors like Increase your metabolism rate And Reduce inflammation– And they seem to keep going.

Featured image from Our interview with Nitsa Citrine by Claire Huntsberger.

photo by Emma Basil

Benefits of cold water therapy

Experts say That when practiced on a regular basis, the benefits of cold water therapy can provide long-lasting changes to the immune, lymphatic, circulatory and digestive systems enhancing the overall quality of your life.

With just a few minutes of cold therapy (and lots of granules), you may be able to activate your body’s natural healing powers and promote a greater sense of well-being. Scroll on for five reasons why we’ll manage the temperature road down our showers. (Plus, tips to get you started—because if you’re used to heating water, this can be a challenge.)

photo by Kate Zimmerman Turpin

Burns the lymphatic system

the Lymphatic system It is a network of blood vessels that run throughout the body, removing waste, bacteria and microbes from your cells. The lymphatic system essentially helps your body cleanse itself.

Unlike your blood, which is constantly pumped by the heart through your body, lymph fluid does not have a central pump. Instead, your lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions to pump lymph fluid through the vessels. So if you don’t exercise or your lymphatic system itself becomes sluggish or ineffective, fluid stagnates and toxins build up, showing up in colds, joint pain, infection and even illness.

Immersion in cold water causes the lymphatic vessels to constrict, forcing the lymphatic system Lymph fluid pumps throughout the body Removal of waste from the area.

One of the benefits of taking a cold shower is that it stimulates the white blood cells of the immune system, prompting them to attack and destroy any unwanted substance in the fluid. It’s kind of a domino effect – cold water affects the lymphatic system, which in turn It affects the immune system. The final effect? You get the benefits of feeling happier and healthier.

Michelle Nash’s photo

Improves blood circulation and heart health

Good trading is one of our most important components General health and well-being. When you suffer from poor circulation, not only is your blood flow affected, but your heart becomes tense. This can eventually lead to fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, muscle cramps, and even heart attack and stroke.

With improved circulation, we can promote heart health, improve mental performance, support the immune system and metabolism, and simply give ourselves more strength and energy to live our lives.

exercise f Follow a healthy diet Two known ways to improve blood circulation. but Immersion in cold water can also stimulate blood flow. When you immerse your body in cold water, blood rushes around your vital organs. Then your heart is forced to pump more efficiently, pushing blood through all your blood vessels and providing every part of your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Do this on a routine basis and you can help promote healthy circulation and, ultimately, a healthy body, heart, and mind.

Michelle Nash’s photo

It reduces inflammation

Immersed in cold water Scientifically proven to help counter Inflammation side effects and sore muscles after strenuous exercise. One of the main benefits of a cold shower is lowering the temperature of damaged muscle tissue and narrowing blood vessels. This helps reduce any swelling or inflammation, and even numbs the nerve endings, giving instant pain relief. This is why professional athletes soak in an ice bath after a hard workout.

But you don’t have to be a serious athlete to reap the benefits of cold water immersion. Simply by taking a quick cold water bath after spending some time at the gym or doing some hard work around the house, you can help reduce pain and inflammation. ignition. And by reaping the benefits of cold water therapy, you may find that you don’t need to reach for ibuprofen to help soothe your pain. Welcome to a natural way to speed up healing.

photo by Bellathe Photography

It boosts your mood

feeling winter bluesor encounter a problem Stress management? Cold therapy can help. It may seem like a superficial fix, but the benefits of cold water therapy are actually deeper than you think when it comes to improving your mood.

a Research study 2007 She found that cold showers can help treat symptoms of depression and, if used routinely, may be more beneficial than prescription medications in lifting mood. This is due to the stimulation of dopaminergic transmission in the medial limbic cortex and cingulate pathway. Otherwise, cold water causes a torrent of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, which make you feel happier. a Separate study Who analyzed the effects of regular winter swimming on the mood of swimmers showed that after four months of routine swimming in cold water, the participants felt more energized and energized than those who did not take a daily dip.

So next time you feel down, consider the benefits of cold water therapy in keeping your body and mind happy. Whether it’s a dip in the ocean, a lake, or a simple cold shower at home – anything goes!

Michelle Nash’s photo

Strengthens hair, skin and nails

If you are struggling with Dry skin and hairYou know what a challenge it can be to achieve a dewy glow. The answer you may not have thought of yet? cold shower.

according to expertsCold water helps reduce pore size and tightens the skin. Since cold water does not encourage the opening of pores and the release of oils like warm water, you will not have excess oil that can lead to oily hair or breakouts. You’ll retain these oils to keep your hair and skin moisturized, leaving it soft and healthy. Cold water also stimulates hair follicles, which naturally helps in increasing thickness and length. Double win.

Michelle Nash’s photo

Cold water therapy: how to get started

The good news is that you don’t have to jump into a 50-degree deep lake to reap the benefits of cold water therapy. You can dip your toes in first! Here’s how experts I recommend starting your cryotherapy journey:

  • Soothe yourself in cooler baths. Start by slowly reducing the amount of hot water you use. Of course, you can jump right into it by not using hot water at all, but that can be a shock to the system.
  • take deep breath. Once you have the right temperature for you, slowly get into the shower and take several deep breaths.
  • Start slowly. Start with your hands, then your feet, then the rest of your body.
  • Continue with your routine. Apply with your natural hair and body wash, and get out as soon as you feel like it’s getting too cold.
  • Keep going. Over time, you will get used to taking a cold shower and will be able to spend more time in the shower and lower the water temperature even more.

Of course, always remember to breathe through it. Slow, steady breaths to win. You got this!

This post was originally published on February 26, 2022, and has since been updated.



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