Cold Plunge
There are many benefits to cold water immersion, and the research showing these benefits continues to grow! Let's look at some of them!
Cold Plunge Benefits
Improved Mental Health
Cold water immersion has been shown to increase dopamine (the "feel good" hormone) by up to 530%!
What makes this even better is that this increase can be long lasting!
Increased Metabolism
Ice baths can help by activating your brown fat cells (good fat).
Brown fat cells can up-regulate your metabolism, increase insulin sensitivity, and help clear blood glucose
Reduce Inflammation
We all know that ice helps to reduce inflammation. This occurs by causing constriction of your blood cells.
Ice baths cause the constriction of the blood vessels in your extremities, thus reducing your inflammation.
Improved Sleep
Cold plunging causes an initial burst in energy. However it can help improve your sleep by lowering your body temperature which is necessary for sleep and also promotes the release of metonin. It all depends on the timing of your plunge!
Reduce Muscle Soreness
Cold water immersion causes an initial constriction of the blood vessels which is necessary to reduce inflammation.
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Reduced inflammation leads to reduced aches and discomfort.
Boost Immunity
Cold water immersion has been shown to increase circulating white blood cell count.
White blood cells are responsible for protecting use from illness and disease.
Build Resilience
Exposing your body to extreme temperatures makes your body and mind more resilient.
By exposing yourself to controlled stressors (that are also beneficial), our body and mind are then trained to react more favorably to uncontrolled stressors.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Cold water immersion causes constriction of your blood vessels, which leads to a temporary reduction in blood flow to your extremities.
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Once you get out of the cold water and start warming up, your blood vessels dilate and blood flow to your extremities increases. The back and forth between constriction and dilation is like a workout for your blood vessels.