Cold Water Therapy: 8 Benefits You Should Know
The thought of bathing or showering in cold water makes us chill. It’s also no surprise that most of us avoid the experience at all costs. Instead, we invest in having centralized water heaters or just shower heaters for our homes.
But there is a reason why bathtub faucets, shower systems, and even just your sinks’ faucets are designed and created with hot and cold functions - to make cold water therapy possible at home and wherever we go.
Now you’re wondering what’s the relevance of cold water bathing for us in the pro cheer community? We’ll start by telling you that it can provide lots of health, beauty, and fitness benefits. Read on to know more.
What Is Cold Water Therapy?
Cold water therapy is the practice of subjecting one’s body to chilling water temperatures within the range of 59°F (15°C). Many athletes and patients undergo this kind of treatment to recover, stimulate health benefits, and help treat health conditions.
In fact, a study found that cold water therapy yields multiple benefits in the aspects of mental, emotional, and physical wellness.
There are several ways to experience cold water therapy as part of your pro cheer routine. You can mix ice and water in your bathtub, shower with the coldest settings, bathe in high mountain streams, swim in an outdoor pool during winter, or visit a cold water spa.
The 8 Benefits Of Cold Water Therapy
1. Improves your resistance to illnesses
Bathing in cold water stimulates your immune system. In a study made by the Dutch, they found that you can voluntarily influence your immune response through cold water immersion techniques.
2. Reduction of and relief from muscle soreness and overall body pain
Cold water helps with pain by constricting your blood vessels. As a result muscle swelling and inflammation are reduced. Two studies from 2011 and 2016 showed that athletes who soaked in cold water after an activity experienced less muscle soreness afterward.
3. Speeds up your metabolic rate
According to the study linked in definition, cold water immersion speeds up your metabolic rate as your body tries to maintain its core temperature. As a result, your body uses more energy by burning more calories - one contributing factor to weight loss.
4. Can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression
Regular exercise accompanied by a post-workout cold shower improves your mood and reduces the tendencies and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although not a total cure for mental health conditions, bathing in cold water as a good routine is a good way to stay sane.
5. Improves your circulation
An additional effect of an increased metabolic rate is the increase of your blood circulation. In turn, it improves the rate of how much waste is removed from your body. As the final result, your organs and muscles function at their best working orders.
6. Boosts your energy levels
Because cold water therapy boosts your metabolism, you’ll feel more energetic, focused, and alert throughout the day. This is the main reason why you should take cold showers in the morning.
7. Deepens your sleep
If you’ve been alert and busy throughout the day with no signs of fatigue due to a cold morning shower, it means you’ve spent your energy well. Then at the end of the day, you’ll feel relaxed, doze off faster, and sleep through the night without interruptions.
8. Makes your skin glow and your hair stronger
Once your epidermis detects cold temperature, your pores tighten and redness is reduced. Thus giving your skin a healthier glow. Unlike hot showers that strip off the natural oils causing them to dry and become irritated.
In terms of cold water benefits for your hair, the chilling temperature helps your strands lock in more moisture and tightens the follicles for a better anchor. This means reduced hair loss.
Celebrity Hairstylist for PRO Beauty Tools, Johnny Lavoy, also said, “Taking a cold shower is actually really beneficial for your hair. Sometimes it’s not the most enjoyable thing, but it will add massive shine! The cold-water aids in closing the hair cuticle, allowing the hair to reflect more light, which results in serious shine.”
With all these benefits, there are also some risks involved especially for those with heart problems. Make sure to talk to your doctor first. Follow safety protocols if you’re bathing in cold water at home, outdoors, or even in the spa.
Those safety measures involve having an observer, not immersing yourself for too long, and dipping your lower body first so you can adapt to the cold and avoid shock. Finally, we know that a lot of you don’t tolerate being submerged in the cold like a beverage in a cooler.
One team member of PRO CHEER LIFE who bathes in the cold regularly offers a piece of advice: “Once the water touches your skin, stop thinking that it’s cold. The more you think about it, the worse it’ll feel. Instead, turn your focus outward and get into a state of mindfulness.”
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