Cold water diving may seem like a shock to the system, and it is, but in ways that can surprisingly benefit your mental and physical health. Cold water therapy, a widely publicized practice, involves exposing your body to cold temperatures through showers, baths, or for some, even a cold lake.
While not all of the benefits are fully understood by science, there is solid research showing that it offers real benefits for your mind. In this guide, we look at some of the ways that embracing the cold can provide mental support.
1. Improves mental clarity
When you are exposed to cold, your body reacts in different ways, making your mind sharper and clearer. The cold triggers increased sympathetic activity, which is part of how your body kicks into action during stress or excitement. This activation leads to higher levels of beta-endorphin and norepinephrine in your bloodstream. Beta-endorphin is a type of natural painkiller that can make you feel good, while norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that makes you more alert and focused.
At the same time, your brain begins to release more norepinephrine into the synapses, the gaps between nerve cells where communication takes place. This increase in norepinephrine in the brain helps sharpen your focus, alertness, and attention, making it easier for you to think clearly and quickly. So, in a roundabout way, getting cold not only wakes up your body; it can also clear the fog in your mind, helping you think more clearly.
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
Research suggests that a short immersion in cold water can cause measurable changes in brain connectivity that support this better mood regulation. This happens because cold water affects the way different parts of the brain talk to each other, especially the parts that control how we feel. The study showed that a good feeling after cold therapy comes from the main networks of the brain that respond to processes more effectively.
Cold hydrotherapy has been shown to do this alleviate depressive symptoms quite effective. Many people report analgesic or analgesic effects from regular cold exposure. This may be the result of a temporary increase in dopamine and endorphins.
3. Builds mental resilience
Cold therapy is not just about getting used to physical discomfort or tough behavior. It can be a great way to learn how to control your emotions. The first moment you step into the cold water can make you panic, just as difficult situations can make you feel stressed or upset.
Research on resilience theory suggests that tolerating moderate stressors increases resilience. Learning to calm down and breathe through this discomfort will teach you important skills in managing your feelings. Being able to control your emotions is crucial when you need to stay calm and make smart choices under pressure. In this case, the choice is to stay in the screaming cold water or run away.
How to start cold water therapy
The good thing about cold exposure therapy is that it is easily accessible and can cost very little. It can be as simple as taking a cold shower, and can be increased by one ice bath at homeor cold diving setup.
Here are some cold therapy tips for those who want to try it:
- Start slowly: You don’t have to jump straight into an ice-filled bath. Start with a cool shower and get used to the feeling before trying something colder.
- Pay attention to the clock and the temperature: Don’t keep the water too cold at first and only sit in it for a short time, about a minute or two. You can make the water colder or stay in the water longer as you get used to it.
- Take a deep breath: Deep breathing helps a lot. It calms you down and makes it easier to deal with the cold. Try to breathe slowly and deeply before and during therapy.
- Do it regularly: The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Try to make it a regular part of your routine, maybe a few times a week, as soon as you’re ready.
- Warm up after: Once you’re out of the cold water, dry off and warm up slowly. Put on warm clothes and exercise a bit so that your body warms up naturally.
Remember that it is important to listen to your body and not push too hard. And if you have health problems, check with a doctor first to make sure cold hydrotherapy is safe for you.
Conclusion
Many people swear by the benefits of regular cold water therapy. While it certainly isn’t for everyone, this practice has gained popularity in recent years for good reason. For those looking for a little clarity, an improvement in mood regulation, and some possible help combating stress, it may be worth braving the bone-chilling cold.
