Cold Therapy is Gaining Steam
What the science tells us about the benefits of cold-immersion.
Athletic Performance
Energy & Focus
Immune System
Mental Health
Stress Management
Sleep
When you engage in physical activity, your muscles can become inflamed and sore due to tiny tissue damage. Coldwater immersion is a fantastic method for enhancing your recovery. It works by narrowing your blood vessels, which helps reduce inflammation and post-exercise muscle soreness.
This narrowing of blood vessels also has another positive effect—it directs a rush of oxygen and essential nutrients toward your vital organs. When you step out of the cold water, your blood vessels widen, spreading nutrient-rich blood throughout your body. This process effectively clears away waste products like lactic acid, replacing them with refreshing oxygen.
The result? A faster recovery time and an opportunity for improved athletic performance.
When you immerse yourself in cold water, your body kicks into high gear, releasing adrenaline and norepinephrine - two hormones that ramp up alertness and concentration. The invigorating effects of cold exposure also stimulates deep, rejuvenating breaths that boost oxygen flow to your vital organs, including your brain. This paves the way for improved mental performance and energy.
The invigoration of cold water on your skin acts as a natural wake-up call, leave you feeling more alert, awake, and primed for a productive day.
When you expose yourself to cold water, your body initiates a chain of reactions that boost your immune system. It sparks the release of antioxidants, immune proteins, and promotes the production of white blood cells — the body's disease-fighting factors. Cold immersion also elevates your lymphatic system, enhancing its ability to transport immune cells throughout your body's tissues.
Cold immersion also produces incredible advantages of reduced inflammation. Because chronic inflammation is closely linked to various health issues, reducing inflammation and promoting improved circulation creates an ideal environment for your immune system to be at its best.
Cold immersion is a scientifically supported way to enhance mental well-being by alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. The shock of cold water triggers the release of endorphins and elevates baseline dopamine levels, often referred to as 'feel-good' hormones. This results in an immediate boost in positivity and an overall uplifted mood.
Cold water also stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, fostering relaxation, reducing anxiety, and improving stress management. The rush of cold water also paints a mindfulness experience, anchoring your focus in the present moment and conditioning your mind to be resilient, tranquil, and adaptable to life's challenges.
The initial shock of cold water immersion sets off your body's stress response, releasing norepinephrine and cortisol. However, as soon as you exit the water, your body swiftly moves into a parasympathetic state, often referred to as the 'rest and digest' mode. Cortisol levels return to their baseline, ushering the body into a state of relaxation and diminished anxiety. This recurring cycle plays a role in conditioning the body to navigate and cope with stress. The act of plunging into cold water can also serve as a profound mindfulness practice, anchoring you in the present moment, guiding your focus toward the breath, and helping you move into a relaxed state.
When the body shifts from a sympathetic response to a parasympathetic response, it fosters relaxation, a slower heart and breathing rate, and improved feelings of safety and security. This state sets the stage for more peaceful sleep. Cold therapy is also shown to have positive effects on the body’s circadian rhythm. The added benefits of lowered cortisol levels and reduced anxiety leads to better sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings.
