Why take a cold plunge to complete your sauna experience? Cold plunges:
- decrease inflammation
- offer a huge rush of endorphins,
- spike dopamine
- improve sleep and mood
- reduce stress
- help remedy aches and pains
- boost injury recovery
- reduce swelling
- potentially increase testosterone
- promote lymphatic drainage
- regulate hormones
- accelerate metabolism
Ok, so what is a cold plunge?
“A cold plunge is the act of submerging your body in cold water (59 degrees Fahrenheit or less) for an extended period of time. Cold plunges are an incredible tool for boosting the health of the body and mind,” says Jonathan Leary, Founder of Remedy Place. By decreasing your core body temperature, a cold plunge can deliver a wide range of benefits. Perhaps the most important is building mental resilience and discipline: consistent exposure to cold temperatures allows the mind to get comfortable in a state of discomfort, which will improve its ability to deal with other types of stress. “Teaching the body how to handle extremes, especially within our ice baths starts to teach the body and mind that you are in control,” adds Leary. “Not only is there pure satisfaction in accomplishing something difficult, but the more you incorporate ice baths into your routine you will find that there are simple practical practices that put you back in control and inevitably teach you how to handle any stress better.”
Well how long do I have to stay in the cold plunge?
If you’ve never plunged before it’s important to start with short periods of time (one to two minutes) and gradually increase as your body adapts to the cold. “Once someone starts to really shiver, that’s a strong indication that they have reached their limit for that specific plunge,” adds Leary. “Please keep in mind your performance each day can change based on the other external demands on the body. For example, we say to our regulars if they have been out the night before drinking, the next day they might not be able to last as long or shivering might start to occur when usually it doesn’t.” Remember to listen to your body and not let your ego get in the way—there’s no need to push yourself too hard if you start to feel uncomfortable.
Who shouldn’t plunge:
As with using the sauna, there are certain individuals who should avoid cold plunges or use caution when using them:
- Individuals with cardiovascular disease or hypertension
- Individuals with Reynaud’s syndrome
- Individuals who are pregnant
- Individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other circulatory problems
- Individuals who have low body temperature at baseline
- Individuals who have a pacemaker (unless they have any medical clearance and/or direct medical supervision)
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health/a43116150/best-cold-plunge-benefits/