Plunging yourself to the cold water can bring you physical and mental well-being. You can enjoy the exposure in various ways, including swimming, ice bathing, or taking cold showers. At first, that might sound a little terrifying. But honestly, it can improve your quality of life, life span, and overall fitness.
So, what is the logic behind the benefits of cold water immersion? In this write-up, we will drill down all the aspects, whether it’s related to benefits, risks, or safety measures. Let’s dive straight into it.
How Does Cold Water Therapy Work?
Coldwater therapy or cold hydrotherapy is primarily a practice of using water of temperature up to 15 degrees Celsius for a shorter time to stimulate health sustainability.
Many professional people such as athletes, bodybuilders, and celebrities confirm the enormous wellness benefits of icy hydrotherapy.
8 Proven Benefits of Cold Water Swimming
The practitioners also prompt cryotherapy as it spikes the energy, deepens sleep, reduces inflammations, etc. Here are a few scientifically-proven benefits of cold water swimming that create a significant difference when combined with a healthy diet plan.
1. Reduce Inflammation
Studies have shown that cold hydrotherapy can turn down muscle soreness, body inflammation and lessen pain. Moreover, the athletes who dip themselves in cold water after a workout can suffer less muscle pain and soreness.
The reason is that using cold water constricts the blood vessels by lowering the blood pressure to that particular area. Therefore numb any pain or swellings in your body. A sudden relief after applying ice to the injured part is the practical example; you might have experienced.
2. Boost Immunity
Exposing yourself to cold water regularly can kick start the cold water shock. And that will ultimately activate the immune system to produce more white blood cells and antioxidants to boost your immunity against various illnesses (common cold to severe cardiac ailments).
Another research revealed that cold hydrotherapy could also assist in antitumor immunity. That’s why the people who actively participate in cold water swimming are rarely sick.
3. Improve Metabolism
When you swim in cold water, your body’s temperature falls slightly more optimum. In that case, the body starts creating heat by expanding and contracting muscles categorized as cold thermogenesis.
Moreover, your heart also pumps faster to elevate the blood pressure. All these changes for creating warmth ultimately burn calories and increase your metabolism. So does it help in weight loss? No studies have proved it; however, a rise in metabolism commonly results in fat burning and weight loss.
4. Increase Libido
Dipping yourself in cold water can foster the production of estrogen and testosterone, which results in high libido. That means it represses your sexual desires and enhances fertility in males and females. Enhancing libido can offer you high self-esteem, more confidence and complement your mood. You can also feel charged up after getting a cold icy bath or shower.
5. Enhance the Endorphins Level
Coldwater swimming can also activate the brain to release the “feel-good hormones” called endorphins. Swimming is a form of exercise that causes these chemicals to liberate and reduce mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and pain. High endorphins can assist you in coping with psychological ailments and enjoy perfect well-being.
6. Improve Sleep Quality
Cryotherapy must be a gold mine for you if you lack sleep quality. That’s because cold water invigorates the parasympathetic system and gives you a sense of calm and relaxed feelings. Also, that allows your body to repair itself and leads to better sleep.
7. Improve Circulation
Immersing your body in cold water results in improved blood circulation. The logic behind this is that when your body is forced into a cold environment, it increases the blood flow in arteries, veins, capillaries, and the skin’s surface. That helps your body to keep the extremities warm.
8. Appreciate Socialization
Coldwater swimming also brings the benefit of joining the cold water swimmers communities. It will give you a chance to share your experience with other people and learn from them. So why not try it out?
The individuals who socialize themselves can live a more happy and healthy life. And enrolling yourself in cold swimmer sports can bring these benefits to you.
Risk Factors
- The most common risk associated with cold water therapy is the cold water shock in which your heart works so hard that it is not entirely a good sign.
- Hypothermia is the condition in which your body’s temperature decreases below 35 degrees celsius. Mainly occur in open water swimmers. However, drying and dressing instantly and avoiding quick heating yourself can save you.
- Chilblains often cause tiny red bumps on your skin. You should never sit close to the radiator after a cold bath to prevent it.
- To avert breath gasping and drowning, you need to follow the below instructions.
Safety Measures
- Every person has a different heart rate and blood pressure rate, so consulting your doctor is the best way before going for hydrotherapy. They will guide you according to your physiology.
- Take an observer with you when you are new to monitor your movements because cold water might affect you emotionally.
- Coldwater affects the circulatory system, so try soaking for short intervals.
- Lastly, make yourself warm slowly after icy water exposure. You can sip hot beverages like coffee or tea etc. But don’t take a sudden hot shower after it; that would be dangerous.
Final Takeaway
In a nutshell, going for cold water therapy is a great idea to improve your physical and psychological health. However, there are specific safety measures that you must follow to avoid any risk factors, as mentioned above.
