Cold plunges are something that many professional athletes have worked into their regimen due to their increased health benefits, especially as it relates to working out. But they aren’t the only ones who could benefit from a cold plunge. There are a multitude of health benefits, aside from the obvious athletic ones, that can improve your everyday life.
Recovering After a Workout
Slipping into an ice cold tub after a particularly hard workout is probably the most well known reason to do a cold plunge. The chilling water constricts your blood vessels and therefore slows blood flow through your body. This process limits the amount of swelling and soreness that you’ll feel after a particularly intense workout, allowing you to recover quicker than you would without one.
Better Sleep
If you’re struggling to get an adequate amount of sleep at night, a cold plunge might help with that. Studies have shown that routine cold plunges can improve your quality of sleep by lowering how much you toss and turn. This trend seems to help endurance athletes immensely, though others benefit from it as well.
Reinforce Your Immune System
The science shows that cold water can actually help boost your immune system. Studies state that exposure to cold water stimulates the white blood cells in your system. These white blood cells then fight off any illness or infection that’s gotten into your system. This will not only help you avoid having to take days off of your workout regime but your workplace as well.
Boost Your Mood
Cold water sends a shock through your system, and extended exposure to the water does this even more so. This shock is associated with an increase in endorphins being released into your system which boost your mood. Additionally, routine exposure to cold water (either through cold plunges or cold showers) can increase your focus and alertness during the day.
Cool Your Body’s Temperature
The most obvious benefit of a cold plunge is that it reduces your body temperature immensely. Doctors often use it when they need to reduce a patient’s body temperature quickly, for whatever reason. This can be helpful when you have a fever or heat exhaustion as well. Cold showers have similar effects, though are slightly less effective than plunging into ice cold water.
Risks to Consider
Despite the significant benefits of cold plunges, there are health risks that you should consider before dipping your toe in the water, so to speak. Prolonged exposure to cold water can lead to hypothermia, skin damage, nerve damage, and cold-induced muscle cramps that can make it hard to function after the plunge. Additionally, if you have a heart condition, the restriction of the blood vessels may have a more detrimental impact on your body than the average person. Make sure you talk to your doctor before attempting a cold plunge if you have any concerns, and don’t sit in the water for too long.
