Benefits Of Ice Baths

Benefits of Ice Baths

1. Boost Immunity

Cold showers are sometimes touted as a way to prevent colds, flus, and infections. The increased metabolic rate caused by the body's attempt to warm itself up activates the immune system and releases more white blood cells in response. Therefore, it stands to reason that people who take frequent cold showers are less likely to get colds, flus, and even some forms of cancer.

2. Improve Circulation

Good blood circulation is essential for overall cardiovascular health. Alternating between hot and cold water in your shower is an easy way to improve circulation. Our arteries and veins constrict or tighten when exposed to cold water.

3. Regulate Temperature

Cold showers provide a mild form of stress that causes thermogenesis (internal generation of heat in the body), which in turn activates the body's adaptive repair system. If you have a chronic problem with cold hands and feet, or feel like you're not sweating as much as normal, give a cold shower a try.

4. Promote Weight Loss/Increase Metabolism

Brown fat, relative to white fat, is largely involved in burning energy. Exposure to cold naturally stimulates the production of these brown fat cells. These cells burn glucose in an attempt to generate as much heat energy as possible. Having more brown fat results in more energy burned per second, therefore, more weight loss.

5. Relieves Depression

Depression is another thing that cold water baths can help and prevent. Research from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University shows that cold water has a stimulating effect on the "locus coeruleus" in the brain, which is the main source of norepinephrine in our bodies. Norepinephrine is a chemical that can be used to help relieve depression.

 

 

6. Improves Lymphatic Movement

The lymphatic system is a system of pipes that is separate from our blood vessels and is responsible for carrying waste away from your cells and helping to fight pathogens (diseases). Unlike blood vessels, the lymphatic system does not have blood, it has lymph, which carries away waste and white blood cells that process infections. Also unlike blood vessels, the heart does not pump lymph around the body like blood does.

7. Deepens your breathing

You will notice that the effect of a cold shower is that you start to inhale very deeply. This is to try to fight the stress of shock, the constriction of blood vessels, and the overall need for oxygen to breathe and stay warm. This process opens up the lungs, just like an intense physical exercise, resulting in a higher average oxygen intake, which is good for many things, such as not feeling tired during the day and performing better in sports or other exercises.

8. Keeps your skin and hair healthy

It is well known that hot water can dry out our skin and hair. On the other hand, cold water can make our hair look shinier and our skin look healthier because it tightens the cuticle and pores, preventing them from becoming clogged, thereby reducing blemishes such as acne. Cold water also helps with detoxification, which forces toxins and waste out of the skin.

9. Increases Energy and Well-Being

There are many spiritual benefits to ending your shower with cold water. Ancient warriors would pour a bucket of icy river water over their heads every morning, a practice known as Misogi. It was a spiritual purification ritual. They believed that it cleansed their spirits and helped start the day off right.

A cold shower can certainly make one feel invigorated and energized. The heart starts beating and the blood rushing through the body helps shake off the lethargy from the previous night's sleep. Additionally, while there aren't many studies to prove it, many claim that cold showers are a definite stress reliever.

10. Increases Hormone Production

Cold showers have the ability to increase hormone production and activity by powering up the glands in the body. For example, when trying to conceive, cold showers can have great benefits for the reproductive system. A man's testicles cannot get too hot; that's why they are located on the outside of a man's body. Additionally, cold water therapy is said to help regulate the endocrine system (including the adrenal and thyroid glands).