The Benefits of Ice Baths

You have probably seen many influencers or friends raving about the benefits of taking cold showers or ice baths online. Maybe you already know about the amazing benefits that come with taking a cold shower or ice bath but I am going to provide more information. Cold showers and ice baths are nothing new, they have been around since ancient times and cold water therapy has been used. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, used cold water to heal even the most severe conditions. According to research, taking a cold shower can help your circulation and stress levels. Thus, taking a cold shower could benefit your immune system, metabolism, mood, vitality, and muscle soreness.  Additionally, cold showers can act as a mild form of electroshock therapy for those who are depressed. Numerous electrical impulses are sent to your brain by the cold water. Taking cold showers can be painful at the moment but will leave you feeling way better after. They give your system a shock to boost your energy, alertness, and clarity. Endorphins, also known as happiness hormones are released while taking cold showers. An individual is more likely to feel optimistic and happier after. 

Every time I am feeling off or can't understand an emotion I am feeling I take a cold shower and almost every time I feel better after. If you don't want to try out cold showers there are other ways you can perform cold therapy. You can submerge your face in cold water or apply a zip-lock bag filled with cold water to your top cheeks and eyes while holding your breath signals your brain to go underwater. The "dive response" is brought on by this. (It might start after 15 to 30 seconds.) Blood flow to non-essential organs is decreased, your heart slows down, and blood is redirected toward your heart and brain. By using this technique, you can better control your emotions. When you have strong urges to act dangerously or are experiencing extremely upsetting feelings, this can be useful as a distress tolerance technique.

-Written by Jillian Falvo, undergraduate intern