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Athletes do it. Celebrities do it. People on TikTok are doing it. The growing trend of people immersing themselves in icy, cold water has reached far and wide.
For those still not sure what the big deal is about these ice baths, you should know that it's not simply a fad or a means of self-torture. Cold plunges actually do provide several health benefits — whether you're an elite athlete or a couch potato.
Here are just five benefits to taking the plunge.
Improve your focus
If you're feeling tired and sluggish in the morning, you might splash cold water on your face to wake you up. Well, if you're finding it difficult to focus, the key to sharpening your attention may be to plunge your whole body in icy water.
A study on PubMed Central found that six healthy men who immersed themselves in freezing water showed an increased amount of norepinephrine in their bodies. This is a hormone that "increases alertness, arousal and attention," according to Cleveland Clinic. So, the next time you've got an important project, a long drive or a big event to prepare for and you need to sharpen your brain, try taking a cold plunge first.
It's particularly helpful to have a cold plunge set up at your own home, so when low motivation strikes, you can cool down whenever you need to. King Kool Plunge has specific cold plunge baths you can install in your own home or backyard, making it simple to take the plunge when you need to.
Improve your mental health
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it shouldn't overrule it. When you're starting to feel maxed out or overwhelmed, it's time to chill — literally. Writing for Healthline, Kristeen Cherney cites several potential mental health benefits of cold water therapy. Decreasing cortisol — the stress-inducing hormone — is one of them.
Cherney adds that cold water can increase endorphins, the feel-good hormones, in your brain, which can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also can work just by taking your mind off whatever may be bothering you. Enduring the physical discomfort of an ice bath can help you focus on the present moment instead of things that are outside of your control.
Boost metabolism
While it's important to point out that there's no magic bullet for weight loss, some studies suggest that cold water therapy may help. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that cold exposure for men in the morning could rev up the metabolism.
Since your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature in the cold, you're burning more fat and calories. Cleveland Clinic notes that cold temperatures activate brown fat. Aside from keeping you warm from the cold, brown fat helps your body burn calories.
Strengthen your immune system
Another PubMed Central suggests that the shock you feel when ice-cold water hits your skin may lead to an increased number of white blood cells in your body. These little guys are responsible for fighting off the common cold or other viruses and infections.
And if you're dealing with fewer bouts of illness, you're going to start seeing benefits in your work life as well. A study published in the journal PLoS OneTrusted Source found that people who took cold showers for 30, 60 or 90 seconds for 90 days took 29% fewer sick days than those who didn't switch to cold showers.
Relieve your aches and pains
After an intense workout, many athletes will take a cold plunge to help them recover. Dr. Chris Kolba, a physical therapist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, explained that the cold temperature reduces swelling and tissue breakdown while shifting lactic acid away from muscles. And the benefits continue once your soak is over.
"When you get out of an ice bath, your muscle tissues and your entire body will begin to warm up, which causes your circulation to increase and your muscles to relax," Kolba says.
If you want the maximum benefit, don't settle for a cold shower. Go all in. Though showers can be helpful, Kolba notes that "immersion is more beneficial because the whole body is submerged and getting that compression and cold effect more uniformly."
Plunge for your health
For the optimal plunging experience, King Kool Plunge offers luxury, hand-crafted plunges you can use throughout all four seasons. Equipped with its own cleaning system, self-regulated custom temperatures and other luxurious features, these plunges are unlike anything else on the market.
To learn more about how you can customize these top-of-the-line plunges and begin boosting your health, visit kingkoolplunge.com today.
