As you scroll down many social media pages, you may discover that cold plunges are trending. It has become a popular practice amongst many celebrities of late. Celebrities like Brooke Shields, Madonna, and even Lady Gaga are immersing their bodies in cold water and making it a normal practice.
You might be asking yourself, is enduring the crazy cold worth it? Are there benefits that may prompt one to expose their bodies to such temperatures?
We are here to show you that whether a cold plunge is done in the middle of the freezing lake or a plunge tub, doing it has various physical and mental perks. Here are some of the five key benefits of regular cold plunge exposure that you find interesting.
1. Enhances Circulation and Recovery
One of the key benefits of regularly exposing yourself to cold plunge is its positive effect on recovery and circulation.
Immersing yourself in cold water constricts your blood vessels, a normal response to low temperatures. This mechanism is called vasoconstriction and is known for redirecting blood flow from the extremities toward the brain and different vital organs of the body. The process also ensures that all the parts of the body are adequately supplied with nutrients and oxygen.
Your body undergoes vasodilation following the cold exposure, and your blood vessels widen. When this happens, your blood circulation is enhanced, all the waste products are flushed out, and inflammation is reduced in your muscles. Because of this process, your post-workout recovery is improved, the soreness in your muscles is reduced, and you recover from the injuries quickly.
When you observe many fitness enthusiasts and athletes they have incorporated cold plunge therapy in their training routines for enhanced recovery.
2. Strengthens the Immune System
The cold plunge has the potential to strengthen the immune system. When your body is exposed to the cold regularly, the cold water activates the natural defense mechanism of the body. Research shows that when you are immersed in cold water, the white blood cells are stimulated and produced, and this is essential in fighting infection and boosting your immunity.
Moreover, being exposed to cold water induces mild stress on your body, which prompts an adaptive response. Such a response activates different biological processes like the production of heat shock responsible for protecting the effects on tissues and cells.
Cold plunge exposure subjects your body to controlled stress, and you experience the long-term effect of a strengthened immune system, and your overall health is also boosted.
3. Heightens the Mental Well-being
Not only does your body benefit when you expose yourself to cold water, but also your mental well-being. When you have regular cold plunge exposures, your endorphins and other neurotransmitters in your brain are triggered. The “feel good” hormones are produced by the endorphins, and they are known for inducing a sense of euphoria and reducing anxiety and stress levels.
It is essential to know that the cold-water shock produces a heightened awareness and a sense of being present at the moment, a mindfulness practice. You can use cold plunge as an effective way of clearing your mind, enhancing your mental focus, and developing mental resilience.
Exposure to cold water regularly has been known to increase alertness, improve your mood, and help you develop a stronger ability to deal with daily stressors.
4. Improves Energy, Mood and Memory
Another important benefit of cold plunge exposure is its ability to enhance your energy, mood, and memory. A study on winter swimmers discovered that individuals who regularly followed the cold swimming practices had drops in memory issues, fatigue, self-reported tension, and bad mood. After four months of regular exposure to the cold waters, the swimmers became more active and had more energy than those who did not swim.
When you immerse your body in cold water, the water triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. The stress hormones have been linked to aid in the boost of energy. The icy water challenges you to see what your body can handle.
5. Boost Metabolism
When you dive straight into cold water, your body significantly benefits when your metabolism is boosted. This takes place in two ways.
First, it occurs through the brown fat. Unlike regular white fat, brown fat is known to be the powerhouse of burning calories. When you expose your body to cold temperatures, the brown fat is activated to generate heat, which consumes the calories. Exposing your body to cold water increases the brown fat activity, which leads to an increase in energy expenditure. This could aid in weight management by boosting the metabolic rate.
Another way is through the thermogenesis process. If you expose your body to a cold plunge, the body works extra to maintain the core temperature through thermogenesis. When you submerge your body to such cold temperatures consistently, you are giving your metabolism a workout, which in turn burns more calories throughout the day.
Bottomline
It may seem like a daunting practice, but believe me, cold plunge exposure is healthy and beneficial your body and mental well-being. As you can see, the article has pointed out some of these benefits. However, before exposing your body to such temperatures, consult with your doctor if you have an existing medical condition. Cold temperatures will do more harm than good if the doctor does not recommend it.
Take a plunge into the cold waters this winter and enjoy the transformative benefits on your body.
Thank you,
Glenda, Chalie and David Cates
