What is behind cold water immersion, why is it good for us?
Whether it’s cold showers, ice cold dips in a lake, waterfalls, or a simple tub in the garden — cold contrast or cold water immersion practice is good for you!
01 Supports athletic recovery
The cold triggers our metabolism, our internal furnace, by releasing free form fatty acids (FFAs) and glucose. The collaborative effects of vasodilation and vasoconstriction work together to switch our metabolism to fat burning mode but not only this it stimulates increased levels of oxygenated blood around the body encouraging your body to recover from heavy bouts of training faster.
02 Stronger immune system
Our immune system is influenced by multiple factors and is highly complex. In isolation, the benefits of cold water immersion are hard to measure. But, several studies now link cold exposure to immune boosting benefits such as increased production of ‘killer T cells’ and lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell key to immune function.
03 Cardiovascular strengthening
We each have 70,000 miles of veins, arteries and capillaries moving blood around our bodies. For most, this great vascular tree is de-conditioned through lack of exposure to the big temperature changes it was designed to deal with. When we move between hot and cold, it gives those tiny muscles governing blood-flow a serious workout.
04 Mental alertness and focus
Regular cold water immersion drives wakefulness, alertness, learning and attention, enhanced memory formation and retrieval. It also supports top-down regulation of pain. It also increases dopamine by 250%, a natural ‘feel-good’ hit.
05 Slows down aging
As we get a little workout from this process it has benefits for supporting the slowing down of aging. Its not only good for your skin but the constant exposure to cold water followed by a resetting of your cardiovascular and neural system, it can help to slow down aging scientists have found.
So while initially there is shock and pain the long term effect far out way the short term shock factor.