Warning: Profanity starts in video at 3:55

COLD PLUNGE BENEFITS:
​WHY DO PEOPLE COLD PLUNGE?

You might be wondering, what are the health benefits of cold plunges?Well, the idea of using cold as a tool for therapy is nothing new. Going back to 3,500 B.C.E., humans have been using ice and cold to help treat injuries for millennia. As time has progressed, humans have found more and more benefits of cold therapy, eventually leading us to the relatively new trend of cold plunges.

There are plenty of reasons to add cold water therapy to your daily routine, but some of the biggest benefits include:
​
Soothe Sore Muscles:
Just like throwing an ice pack on a sprained wrist, cold plunges can help reduce muscle soreness and sometimesdecrease swelling and inflammation. Professional athletes and fitness buffs have been following this trend for a while, but don’t be intimidated — cold water therapy is truly for everyone.
When you submerge in cold water, your blood vessels will naturally constrict. Doing this diminishes your blood flow, which in turn reduces inflammation in muscles. While this can be great for dealing with injuries and minor tweaks, you don’t need to be hurt to benefit.
Boost Your Metabolism:
​The metabolic rate is the rate at which your body uses energy to burn calories. Studies have shown that cold exposure kicks this rate into high gear—anywhere from 8% to 80% higher — as your body works to keep itself warm.
Though it may not feel like it, shivering generates heat. That heat production requires energy, which boosts your metabolism. An increase in metabolism from soaking in an ice bath may then lead to the next surprising benefit.
Boosts Energy Levels:
You know that feeling of what it's like to be alive? Like, really alive in an energetic way? That's what plunging gives us.
Sticking to a cold plunge routine can also boost your energy levels, thanks to a hormone and neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine in the brain helps to regulate focus, attention, and mood, and when we come into contact with cold water, there is a significant release of norepinephrine into our bodies.
This sudden increase stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, better known as our “fight-or-flight” response. Once this is triggered, we get a flood of energy as our body works through the physical stress of cold temperatures. ​
Support Your Immune System:
Your immune system is one of the most critical aspects of your body’s health, and cold water immersion may help improve it. So, while it’s probably not a great idea to hop in a cold tub the next time you get the sniffles, a regular routine of cold plunging may be able to help you fight off future illnesses.
Studies have shown that exposure to cold water and cold temperatures can have an “immunostimulating” effect, which is a fancy way of saying that cold therapy can help your immune response.
Builds Resilience:
Voluntarily dipping your body into freezing water challenges you both physically and mentally, pushing your body past its comfort zone. It takes fortitude to withstand cold temperatures, even for a short time, which is why ice baths build up your resiliency. Building up a routine of cold plunging can even help you develop better self-control and gain more energy.
Support Weight Loss:
​Your body gets the energy it needs to keep you warm in the cold from brown adipose tissue, or brown fat. Think of a wood-burning stove that’s used to warm up a room. The wood is the “brown fat,” and the fire is the “metabolism.”
Louisa Nicola, MMed, BSc says "As your body shivers and activates brown fat, it burns calories at an accelerated rate. This suggests that ice baths could aid in weight loss or help maintain a healthy weight as part of your overall health and wellness routine."
Improve Your Mood and Support Mental Health:
​If your mood needs a pick-me-up, an ice bath may do the trick. After that initial gasp from the shock of cold water, many people begin to feel invigorated and clear-headed. You can thank the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones, for that.
Strengthen Your Hair And Skin:
​Cold water therapy doesn’t only do you good on the inside, it does you good on the outside, too. More specifically, it can help strengthen your hair and skin.
Your hair may benefit from ice baths because chilly water can flatten ruffled cuticles, leaving it shiny and help it retain moisture to prevent breakage.
And because cold constricts blood vessels, ice baths may temporarily reduce redness and puffiness in your face and tighten pores. In addition, it may soothe itchy, irritated skin on the face and the rest of the body.
 Support Better Quality Sleep:
​ There are several reasons why cold water immersion supports better sleep. As we mentioned above, ice bathing relieves stress and improves your mood, making your sleep more peaceful.
              Cautions of Cold Plunging

While there are many benefits of cold plunging, there are certain precautions and risks to be aware of. We’ve covered the do’s and don’ts of ice baths here, but the basics include:
  • Plunge sober, as inebriation and intoxication can impair your balance, motor skills, and more — which could lead to a slip
  • Breathe slowly to control your heart rate and avoid hyperventilation that may make you feel lightheaded
  • Listen to your body and get out if you start to feel significant discomfort or pain, pushing yourself too cold or too long could result in hypothermia in extreme cases
  • Be careful getting in and out of your tub, slippery surfaces combined with adrenaline or lightheadedness might cause slips

How Much Does It Cost?

Single Person Cold Plunge $40

Two Person Cold Plunge $60

Three Person Cold Plunge $80