Every day I wake up and go for a dip in the ocean or river. It’s not exactly a gentle way to wake up, but science is showing tremendous benefits for people of all ages.
Cold water immersion has that ability to activate the body’s natural healing powers. When practiced on a regular basis, cold water immersion can even provide long-lasting changes in health. Now, not everyone has easy access to the river or ocean; fortunately, a cold shower can achieve the same results.
Let’s take a look at all the benefits:
Strengthens immune system
Current evidence suggests regular cold exposure increases white blood cell count. When the body is regularly exposed to changing conditions, it becomes more efficient mobilizing defences over time.
Improved cardiovascular circulation
Low cardiovascular circulation can lead to health problems such as fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, muscle cramping or even heart attack and stroke. With cold water exposure, the blood rushes to surround your vital organs. The heart then must pump more efficiently, pushing blood through all the vessels and supplying the body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
Sore for days after a workout?
Many people immediately reach for the anti-inflammatory meds to soothe their pain. But cold-water immersion has been proven to help counteract these side effects. One of the top cold immersion benefits is that it helps reduce swelling and inflammation, bringing relief to pain. By incorporating daily cold-water immersion you may find that you don’t need to reach for the pills, with this natural way of expediting recovery.
Struggling with depression?
A study done in 2007 found that cold showers can be used to help treat depression symptoms. And when done regularly, cold exposure may be more beneficial than prescription medication for lifting mood.
Trouble shedding weight?
Regular cold-water immersion can boost your metabolism. When exposed to cold, the body has to work extra hard to increase the core temperature of the body, consuming many calories in the process.
When first experiencing the health benefits of cold showers, it is strongly suggested to start slowly. Begin with a regular hot shower, and at the end of the shower slowly decrease the amount of hot water and increase the cold.
Stay in the cold for no more than 30 seconds for the first week, and slowly increase the time. The idea is not to shock the system, but to allow the body to slowly and gently adapt.
Once cold water is running, start by getting wet slowly with your hands, then feet, then the rest of your body. Take slow, deep belly breaths to calm the nervous system as the body acclimatizes to the cold water.
Progress through your usual shower routine. If the water feels too cold then increase the temperature or take a step out; do not force anything. As time progresses and you get used to cold showers, you’ll be able to spend more time in the shower and lower the temperature of the water even more.
Remember, as the cold exposure guru Wim Hof says: “The cold is your warm friend!”
Dr. Jeremy Buhay is the owner of Marine Chiropractic & Wellness in Powell River.
