The thought of submerging yourself into a lake with a thin layer of ice would give any rational being the ‘willy-nillys.’
So why would anyone subject themselves to it? Let’s consider the benefits:
1) Boosts your Immune system
2) Reduces Inflammation and promotes healing
3) Increases circulation
4) Improves your mood, reduces anxiety and depression
5) Promotes deeper sleep
6) Raises energy levels and metabolic rate
7) Causes Lymph vessels to contract and ‘clean house’
8) Relief from joint pain
9) Produces a shock wave that shoots up into your neural pathways potentially reducing the onset of dementia.
The Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the ‘Father of Medicine’ was the first to document the health benefits of hydrotherapy. “Natural forces within us are the true healers.”
Tony Robbins, a personal coach to Bill Clinton, Wayne Gretzky, Serena Williams, Hugh Jackman and Pitbull, practises cold water therapy every morning with his in-home ice bath.
As an intentional act, Cold Water Therapy practised for a specified and safe amount of time creates HORMETIC STRESS, a type of stress that can be summed up in a Nietzsche quote:
“That which does not Kill us makes us Stronger.”
Along with all the above benefits plus increasing the body’s ability to repair tissues from over worked muscles to a type of physiotherapy for injuries acquired from a fall or car accident, HORMETIC stress stimulates your body to increase the production of endogenous antioxidants. Regular antioxidants come from foods high in Vitamins C, E and Beta Carotene (a precursor of Vit A) whereas endogenous antioxidants are made by the body and include glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q 10, uric acid and melatonin.
Now you know why people practice Cold Water Therapy
plus it’s FREE!
Caveat: LESS is MORE. Benefit can easily turn to harm.
HYPOTHERMIA ( cold exposure) is dangerous because it can sneak up on you and kill you without you recognizing that your body is shutting down.
Do not jump into really cold water. Wade in.
Wear a warm hat. Keep your head above water. Start off with one or two minutes. Dry off as quickly as possible. Remove wet clothing quickly and replace with layers of dry clothing. Drink some warm liquid and enjoy the rest of your day You Rock!