The Health Benefits of Cold Water Therapy

Cold Water Therapy is all the rage on social media as people document their daily ice baths and cold showers. This simple, effective and free exercise has multiple health benefits that are not only good for your body but also can boost your mood, help you sleep better, aid in weight loss, stimulate the immune system and more.

For instance, if you’re experiencing muscle soreness, cold water immersion can relieve that by numbing the pain by constricting blood vessels and helping reduce swelling. And if you’re trying to build muscle, it can help with recovery by activating the muscle fibers and increasing blood flow.

It’s important to note that jumping into cold water for extended periods of time can be tough on the heart and blood vessels, so it’s a good idea to start slow and work your way up. And if you’re having any circulation issues, talk to your doctor before trying this exercise.

Giordano says that the best way to acclimate to cold water immersion is to take a shower with only your arms or legs first before taking the plunge for the whole body. “You’ll find that once you’re in for a few seconds it’s not as shocking,” she says. “Then you can gradually work your way up to longer durations.”

And as for those chilly ice baths, Fullerton advises that you don’t need to stay in for more than two minutes or you risk hypothermia. She adds that you should also make sure to consciously exit the cold water and slowly warm up your body again by doing light exercises or Wim Hof’s horse stance.