10 Reasons for Doing a Cold Plunge
As the days become colder and colder, many of us rely on hot drinks and heated blankets to get us through the winter. But did you know that taking a cold plunge, or cold water therapy, could be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health? That’s right — submerging yourself in ice-cold water may sound uncomfortable, but it has actually been scientifically proven to have an array of positive effects on the body.
Here are 10 scientifically proven reasons why taking a cold plunge is so good for your health:
Relieves Stress – Stress levels can be drastically reduced with just one icy plunge session. Cold water helps to trigger a reaction in the body that can reduce cortisol levels and calm anxiety.
Improves Immunity – Cold plunges help to stimulate circulation and lymph flow which in turn aids in detoxifying the body and increasing immunity to disease.
Increases Mental Alertness – Although there is no scientific evidence to back this up, people report feeling more alert after taking a cold plunge due to increased blood flow and oxygenation of the cells.
Increases Metabolism – Taking a cold plunge can increase metabolic rate by up to 20% during the session and 8% afterward! This is due to an increase in mitochondria production which helps burn excess calories even while at rest.
Reduces Pain – The shock of cold water helps to reduce pain signals sent from inflamed tissues or injuries by blocking serotonin receptors, thus providing temporary relief from injury-related discomfort.
Reduces Inflammation – Cold plunges have anti-inflammatory properties due to their ability to constrict blood vessels and decrease inflammation throughout the body—especially useful for athletes recovering from tough workouts!
Enhances Skin Health – Cold plunges are great for skin health since they improve circulation and provide a natural exfoliation process through their invigorating effect on skin cells. They also help reduce wrinkles when done regularly over time!
Improves Digestive Health – Cold plunges aid in digestion by stimulating peristalsis—the wave-like motion that helps move food through the intestines—which helps rid of toxins as well as improving nutrient absorption!
Enhances Athletic Performance – Taking part in regular cold plunges increases endurance levels by aiding in muscle recovery, allowing athletes to get back into action sooner than ever before! In addition, they can help prevent fatigue buildup during intense workouts or races as well as enhancing performance overall through improved oxygen delivery throughout the body due to increased circulation!
Improves Mood – Though it may seem counterintuitive at first, jumping into an icy pool actually helps soothe anxiety while giving people an adrenaline rush—a feeling which will last long after you’re out of the pool! This combination of feelings has been known to enhance moods dramatically when done regularly over time
