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Fire
and Ice
Boost Your Happiness
How can cold plunging make you happy? Past research reveals that submerging your body in cold water increases dopamine concentrations by 250 percent. Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone because of the key role it plays in regulating mood.
I can tell you from personal experience that a quick cold plunge at any time of day is an instant mood booster. When you accept and breathe through the cold, you begin to benefit from your daily mood booster.
Improve Your Immune System
The effects of cold water on the immune system have been extensively researched. By forcing the body to react to changing conditions, cold water helps boost white blood cell count. Your body improves its ability to activate its defenses over time.
Inflammation Control
Cold therapy can aid in the relief of joint pain and inflammation. Cold plunges have been scientifically proven to help alleviate the symptoms of muscle overuse such as soreness, pain, and tightness. When we immerse ourselves in cold water, we constrict our blood vessels, which helps to reduce swelling and inflammation caused by the body sending too much blood to the affected area. Even better, the cold can numb the nerve endings and provide pain relief. Many professional athletes recommend soaking in cold water after a strenuous workout.
Metabolism Boost
The rate at which your body converts food into energy is defined as your metabolism. The quicker and more efficient your metabolism, the more energy you’ll have and the easier it will be to lose weight. Furthermore, cold plunging can help with weight loss by increasing the burning of “white fat” (bad fat). This occurs because cold exposure causes your body to rev up its metabolism in order to obtain the energy required for heat generation. It also begins to convert brown fat (also known as “good fat”) into heat energy. The rest of the body, which is using energy unrelated to heat production, begins to burn up the “bad fat,” resulting in accelerated weight loss.
Circulation is improved.
Immersion in cold water increases blood flow. When you submerge your body in cold water, blood rushes to your vital organs. Your heart is then forced to pump more efficiently, pushing blood through all your vessels and supplying oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body.
This causes the body to enter a “shock” state, in which all blood flows directly to the vital organs, replenishing them with oxygen and nutrients and improving the efficiency of our blood flow for the rest of the day.
Drainage of the Lymphatic System
Your lymphatic system is a network of vessels that transports waste bacteria and toxins away from your cells. It’s similar to a garbage removal service in that it efficiently removes anything unwanted. When our lymphatic system is not functioning properly, we can quickly become ill, catch colds, develop achy joints, develop infections, and accumulate toxins in the body. Exercise is typically used by the body to keep the lymphatic system circulating. Because your body lacks an automatic heart pump to push fluid around the body, it relies solely on muscle contraction to move waste out. Cold plunging causes the body’s muscles to contract while also restarting the lymphatic system.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
The vagus nerve is stimulated more when you expose your body to acute cold conditions, such as taking a cold shower or splashing cold water on your face. As your body adjusts to the cold, sympathetic activity decreases and parasympathetic activity increases, resulting in long-term improvements in mood, pain management, well-being, and resilience.
Increased Thermogenesis.
Cold thermogenesis is the process by which heat is produced when the body is exposed to cold water. This is regarded as one of the most simple and risk-free biohacking techniques that may provide the calorie-burning benefits of cold thermogenesis.
Increases your Discipline and Focus
One thing you’ll always hear when someone gets out of an ice bath is that they notice, aside from being in that exact moment, every other thought has vanished. When the brain believes it is about to die, it enters survival mode and the focus becomes laser focused. Your mind will not even permit you to consider your problems. All you can think about is the precise moment you are in. It’s an excellent way to practice mindfulness and being present in your life.
Sauna/Cold Plunge Instructions for Use
Start by entering the sauna. Spend 20-30 minutes in the sauna, rinse off in the shower before entering the cold plunge.
Step into the Cold Plunge & slide down so your shoulders are below the surface. Find your breath, and try to practice deep breathing calmly for 2-3 minutes (ideally).
Work towards getting your breath to 5-8 breaths per minute.
Bring a journal
Slowly get out of the Cold Plunge. Once out of the Cold Plunge practice some Tai Chi movements or light stretching to help to circulate blood flow and warm the body slowly.
* If you choose to go back & forth between the Cold Plunge and infrared sauna you MUST shower after again your sauna. There should not be more than 2-3 sets of contrast during your timed session.
Before returning to the sauna, thoroughly dry off.
It is strongly advised to finish your session with the cold plunge. Do not warm up in the shower. Allow your body to naturally and gradually warm up after your plunge.
It is always important to exercise caution when using the hot sauna/cold plunge.
The hot/cold sensation is not for everyone; Extreme temperature changes may shock the system, making it unsuitable for those with high blood pressure. When it comes to the cold plunge, experts recommend a brief plunge followed by a gradual increase in time spent in cold water. The hot and cold technique, like anything else health-related, should be discussed with a doctor, especially if there are any outstanding health issues.