Cold Water Immersion
We’ve up levelled our cold water immersion offering with our double ice baths that had their debut this past weekend. Each participant was challenged to stay in the bath for the recommended minimum duration of 7 minutes. We were so impressed!
Why would anyone want to subject themselves to sitting in a bath filled with ice, you ask?
Here are 5 key benefits:
1. Increases Energy and Uplifts Mood
Ice baths increase the secretion of endorphins and other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is one of the hormones known to regulate energy, focus, and attention.
2. Regulates the Nervous System
Sudden exposure to cold water is stressful for your body, triggering the Nervous System’s stress-regulating response. Following the initial shock, when your body adapts to the cold water, your fight-or-flight response eases and the nervous system can regain control, building greater flexibility in the nervous system both in and out of the ice.
3. Improves Resilience
After the initial shock of the cold, the body begins to adapt, making it stronger through a process called hormesis. Repeated exposures help with emotional regulation, better pain management, increased resilience, greater connection and general well-being.
4. Boosts the Immune System
Increased resilience to cold has been shown to improve the functioning of the immune system and your body’s ability to fight off infections.
5. Positive Impact on Physical and Mental Health
The mental strength it takes to get in and stay in a bath filled with ice is immense. The power of the ice bath comes in by connecting with the breath and consciously relaxing the body, despite the natural reflex to panic. This has been shown to greatly improve mental health and well-being.
