Feeling Stuck In Your Wellness Journey? Try Cold Plunge!

If you feel stuck in your health and fitness journey, cold water immersion can help you to go back on track and go forward. When nothing helps you to get to your best, try cold plunge. There are so many awe-inspiring stories from people whose lives were transformed by cold water therapy that you can’t ignore it. It helps reduce muscle soreness, cool you down after workouts, boost your immune system and metabolism, improve your mood, and reduce stress.

Michael Phelps Cold Water Therapy

It has taken years of hard work and dedication for Michael Phelps to earn the title of the greatest man in swimming. Holding the all-time records of 23 Olympic gold medals, Michael Phelps is known for his intense training regimen.

Cold plunge is a big part of that regimen, and Phelps has spoken about how it helps him to recover from workouts and improve his overall health. “If something is working, I don’t change it,” he says. “This helps my body feel good every single day.”

With his long-time collaborative partner, the legendary Michael Phelps founded The Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tubs that incorporates cold water therapy that easily fits into your daily routine – “Go cold and live bold.”

“Being able to start my day in the cold tub allows me to be my best self and gives me the best chance to accomplish my goals — whether that’s in the gym, on the golf course or at home with my family.” -Michael Phelps.

What Is Cold Water Therapy?

Being around for millennia, cold water therapy is the practice of using water that’s about 59°F (15°C) to treat health conditions and improve your overall health. It can be as simple as sitting in a bathtub filled with cold water and ice cubes or jumping into a cold lake.

How about a Waterfall inside the Sauna?

A stone wall could have water cascading down it, cooling the air slightly and creating a tranquil soundscape while also serving as a refreshing spot to cool off between sauna sessions.

The Physical and Mental Benefits of Cold Plunges

Cold plunges have some distinct health benefits, as many celebrities, health influencers, athletes, and trainers can happily confirm. But what’s the science behind cold water therapy? And what’s the best and safest way to immerse yourself in cold water?

Research on cold-water immersion has found evidence that it helps reduce the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage that can occur after physically challenging activities. Less damage leads to less inflammation, which in turn reduces soreness and helps restore physical performance the next day.

These benefits may be the result of rapid constriction of the blood vessels due to the cold water. The cold can trigger responses in your body, such as decreased metabolic activity, alterations in hormone production and blood flow, and activation of the immune system.

It also may help build resiliency, restore balance to the nervous system and improve cognitive function and mood.

But first, discuss the risks with your doctor and make sure it’s safe for you to immerse yourself in cold water before you try it.

How Long You Should Stay In a Cold Plunge

Talk to your doctor first, because cold water immersion affects your blood pressure, heart rate, and circulation, it can cause serious cardiac stress.

The cold plunge can be done as one session or multiple sessions with the breaks between them. Usually, the session starts from 30 seconds to a minute and work up to 5-10 minutes at a time.

If you’ve never experienced cold plunges, you can start trying it out in several different ways:

• Take warm-to-cold showers. Start with warm water and, after a few minutes, gradually drop the temperature. Stay for a minute or two.
• You may go straight to a cold shower.
• Immerse yourself in a bathtub with ice: add ice to water until the temperature is around 59°F (15°C) for a minute
• Consider a short swim in colder waters.

Be sure to warm up when you get out. Take your wet clothes off. Dress in warm, dry layers, starting with your upper body. Have a cup of herbal tea. But avoid taking a hot shower. The sudden change in blood flow could cause you to pass out.

Keep Your Cold Plunge in Tip-Top Shape

Cold plunges are gaining popularity for their many health benefits, from reducing inflammation and boosting circulation to enhancing mental clarity and recovery. Whether you’ve added a cold plunge to your backyard or installed one indoors, keeping it in pristine condition is crucial for ensuring a safe and refreshing experience every time you take the plunge. But how do you maintain that perfect, ice-cold oasis? Here are some tips.

• Keep a Maintenance Schedule: Set up a regular maintenance schedule for checking chemical levels, cleaning the filter, and performing deep cleans. Staying consistent with maintenance tasks will prevent larger issues from developing down the line.
• Watch for Signs of Trouble: Be proactive in monitoring your cold plunge for any signs of issues. Cloudy water, unpleasant odors, and sticky surfaces are all indications that your plunge may need attention sooner rather than later. Addressing problems early will save you time and money in the long run.
• Monitor Usage: Keep track of how often your cold plunge is used. Higher usage requires more frequent maintenance. If you’re hosting a gathering where many people will use the plunge, plan for extra water testing and possibly an earlier-than-usual shock treatment or water change.
• Rinse Off Before Entering: Encourage users to rinse off before entering the cold plunge. This simple step removes oils, lotions, and dirt from the skin, which can otherwise contaminate the water and strain the filtration system.

Maintaining a cold plunge requires a bit of effort, but the rewards are well worth it. With proper care and attention, you’ll enjoy crystal-clear, refreshing water that enhances your health and wellness routine.