An ice bath may be exactly what you need.
Typically the water temperature is in the 40s or 50s Fahrenheit.
They’re hugely popular both within wellness and sports communities these days.
Ivan Rodriguez Alba/Moment/Getty
Why are so many people into ice baths, and are they right for you?
Let’s find out.
The act of an ice bath lowering your body temperature triggers multiple physiological responses.Dr.
Increased metabolic rate is what happens when your body increases its metabolic rate to generate more heat.
The activation of brown adipose tissue, also known as BAT, is directly related to cold exposure.
She says that exposure to cold temperatures can activate BAT, producing heat through thermogenesis.
“This helps to maintain body temperature in cold environments,” she adds.
Mental
Increasing your resilience is one mental benefit of CWI, but there are more.
Theendorphinscan directly make you feel better, too.
I find ice baths invigorating and love how they make me feel impervious to stress.
They may also promotebetter restand enhance your sleep quality.
Emotional
Ice baths can generate an overall improved emotional state.
Physical
We all know that when you get an injury, icing it is the first step.
In turn, this can enhance athletic performance and endurance.
There’s no need to start with a bath in the 40-59 degree range.
Additionally, you don’t need to plan on staying in there for a full five minutes.
If you only last 30 seconds the first time, that’s still a win!
Customize the quantity of ice with the help of the thermometer.
Hafeez recommends focusing on your breathing to get through it.
Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques to help manage discomfort and stay calm during the ice bath.
“Engage your mind in activities or distractions to shift your focus away from the cold sensation.
I let myself yelp and howl however much I need to.
Once I am a few moments in, I find counting to be incredibly useful.
2018;2(2):e10257.
Khoshnevis, S., Craik, N.K.
1996;72(5-6):445-450.
