Do you feel bogged down by life’s stressful experiences? Well, you’re not alone.

Anxiety afflicts millions of people worldwide. According to a previous survey, over 35% of all respondents reported experiencing stress quite often.

The study found a higher prevalence of stress among women than men. But of notable interest was that the condition was more prevalent in high-income counties compared to low- and middle-income ones, debunking the popular myth that financial challenges are anxiety’s biggest contributor.

When grappling with mental health issues, most people would readily turn to conventional medications like benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sadly, these drugs aren’t 100% risk-free.

Benzodiazepines, for instance, may trigger hallucinations and panic attacks. The drugs have also been associated with increased excitability and nightmares, casting aspersions on their long-term efficacy against stress and anxiety.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to boost your mental and physical health naturally. One such intervention is taking cold plunge therapy. That’s why many people also explore natural stress relief methods such as nutrient-rich bath soaks from https://www.flewdstresscare.com/.

Read below for a definitive guide on how cold plunging can improve your overall wellness.

What Is A Cold Plunge Therapy?

Cold plunging is a practice that involves briefly immersing your body in cold water, believed to provide certain mental and physical health benefits. The practice utilizes special equipment, including a high-end ice bath chiller and plunge tubs.

Water is first added to the tub, after which the chiller cools it to the desired temperature. You then immerse yourself in the chilly conditions from the neck down and remain there for a short duration (usually a few seconds to fifteen minutes).

Cold plunging is also known as cold water immersion, cold water therapy, hydrotherapy, or (erroneously) ice baths. The tradition has a rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations.

As a therapeutic practice, cold plunging was widely practiced by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The therapy’s popularity was largely fueled by the widespread belief that water is a natural healer.

Cold plunging witnessed a decline in popularity in the Western world following the collapse of the Roman Empire. However, the practice resurged from around the 1800s when credible research findings began to associate it with genuine health benefits.

Austrian hydrotherapist Vincent Priessnitz (1799-1851) is widely credited for renewing the interest in cold water immersion.

Dubbed ‘The Father of Hydrotherapy,’ Priessnitz pioneered hydrotherapy spas. His spas offered multiple water-based treatments, including cold plunging, ice baths, and cold compresses.

Is A Cold Plunge Similar To Ice Baths?

Although commonly used interchangeably, cold plunging isn’t similar to ice baths. The two therapies differ principally in the ideal treatment temperature.

Cold water immersion typically occurs at temperatures between 50- and 60-degrees Fahrenheit, whereas ice baths can achieve chillier conditions of 30 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit (usually with the addition of ice).

Due to their slightly warmer conditions, cold plunges can support longer treatment durations and provide more balanced effects than ice baths.

Mental Health Benefits of Cold Plunges

1. Relieving Anxiety

People have been cold plunging for centuries to alleviate stress, and recent findings suggest that the therapy truly works.

A review published in the PLoS One journal assessed multiple previous studies that investigated the stress-relieving effects of cold plunges.

After over 3,000 participants underwent cold water immersion at temperatures between 45- and 49-degrees Fahrenheit, most subjects reported feeling less anxious.

2. Boosting Sleep Quality

Incorporating cold water immersion into your bedtime routine can help you relax after a stressful day. This may further reduce your sleep onset time, allowing you to slip from complete wakefulness into sound sleep faster than you usually do.

Studies have also found that cold plunging may activate the vagus nerve.

When stimulated, the vagus nerve signals the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating sleep and other physiological functions like heart rate and breathing.

3. Treating Depression

Most depression cases result from untreated anxiety. Therefore, the fact that hydrotherapy may help with stress and anxiety makes it a potential remedy for depression, too.

Cold plunging increases the body’s signaling of pleasure hormones like dopamine and endorphins.

A surge in these neurotransmitters can combat depressive symptoms, enabling you to approach life happier and more invigorated.

4. Supporting Cognitive Performance

Cold water therapy has also been shown to boost cognitive function. Again, this has much to do with its antidepressant effects.

Note that anxiety can impair various cognitive aspects, including attention span, learning ability, and memory consolidation.

By managing stress levels, hydrotherapy plays a critical role in optimizing your cognitive performance.

Physical Health Benefits of Cold Plunges

1. Increasing Blood Circulation

Most of the health benefits of cold plunging stem from its ability to stimulate blood flow throughout the body.

When you first step into a cold plunge, the initial shock causes sudden vasoconstriction. However, this is quickly followed by vasodilation, increasing blood circulation to vital organs.

2. Weight Management

Exposure to cold water can boost your metabolism. A faster metabolism implies that your body burns more calories to generate heat, helping you maintain a lean weight.

Cold water immersion also increases fat browning.

Also known as thermogenesis, browning of fat involves the body converting unhealthy white fat cells into healthier brown fat cells. The process can accelerate metabolism and weight loss.

3. Pain Relief

Taking a cold plunge increases the supply of oxygenated blood and nutrients to sore muscles, thereby improving muscle pain.

The therapy may also address pain by boosting serotonin levels.

While serotonin is mostly associated with the feel-good effect, the neurotransmitter plays a pivotal role in pain management, too.

4. Improving Cold Tolerance

Cold plunging can prove beneficial if you’re planning to spend considerable time in frigid weather, such as traveling briefly to the polar regions.

Practice enables your body to acclimate to chillier conditions, enabling you to brave colder temperatures more effectively.

5. Supercharging Your Sex Drive

Exposure to cold water ramps up blood circulation, which can help to increase your sex drive.

Studies have shown that enhanced penile blood flow may boost arousal and overall sexual performance. It notably helps maintain stronger erections, prolonging your intimate moments.

Optimize Your Wellness With Cold Water Immersion

Taking a cold plunge can boost blood circulation, relieve stress, and enhance your cognitive functioning. If administered after intensive exercise, the treatment may also accelerate muscle recovery. That explains its popularity among high-profile athletes and fitness influencers.

However, remember that cold water immersion is different from ice baths. While the therapy requires relatively warmer temperatures, you’ll need to stick to the recommended duration for each treatment to unlock its true wellness benefits.

If you’re new to cold plunge therapy, start with shorter baths and build momentum gradually. This helps your body to build a tolerance for the treatment, preventing adverse cold shock responses.