Benefits of Cold Plunge
Soothes Sore Muscles
When you submerge in cold water, your blood vessels will naturally constrict. Doing this diminishes your blood flow, which in turn reduces inflammation. While this can be great for dealing with injuries and minor tweaks, you don’t need to be hurt to benefit.
Improved Immunity
Exposure to cold water triggers your lymphatic system, eliminating waste and toxins within the body. Lymphatic vessels, which carry infection-fighting white blood cells, will constrict when in contact with cold water, forcing the lymphatic system to pump. This, in turn, triggers your immune system, boosting your white blood cell count and improving your immune response.
Boosts Metabolism
Cold exposure increases your metabolic rate up to 80%, as your body works to keep itself warm. Shivering actually generates heat. That heat production requires energy, which boosts your metabolism. An increase in metabolism from soaking in a cold plunge may then lead to the next benefit.
Brain Health and Relaxation
Your body gets the energy it needs to keep you warm in the cold from brown adipose tissue, or brown fat. As your body shivers and activates brown fat, it burns calories at an accelerated rate. This means cold plunge can aid in weight loss or help maintain a healthy weight as part of your overall health and wellness routine.
Support Better Quality Sleep
Saunas have been shown to prevent protein degradation from lack of activity. Intermittent heat stress enhances skeletal muscle regrowth.
Improved Mood and Mental Health Support
When your body senses cold, your sympathetic nervous system gets to work. That’s the part of your nervous system that regulates the “fight-or-flight” response, which involves the release of hormones, such as adrenaline and endorphins, to help you get away from a threat (or fight it). Your body perceives cold as a “threat” or stressor, which is why it works so hard to keep you warm and releases hormones that improve your mood and boost focus.
Strengthen Hair and Skin
Chilly water can flatten ruffled cuticles, leaving your hair shiny and helping it retain moisture to prevent breakage.
Because cold constricts blood vessels cold plunges will also temporarily reduce redness and puffiness in your face and tighten pores. In addition, it will soothe itchy or irritated skin on the face and the rest of the body.
Supports Weight Loss
Cold plunges relieve stress and improves your mood, making your sleep more peaceful. Additionally, taking a cold bath during the day will stimulate the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are crucial for mood regulation, focus, and energy. This surge in neurotransmitters signals to your body to feel alert and ready and facilitates a smoother transition into the evening promoting better sleep.