How Cold Water Therapy Can Help With Physical Wellbeing

Cold Water Therapy is simple, natural, easy to practice and brings many benefits to our physical wellbeing. Find out more below

What is Cold Water Therapy?

20 Benefits of Cold Water Therapy

3 Ways to Try Cold Water Therapy

Further Exploration – Articles & Media

Your Take – Comments

What is Cold Water Therapy?

Cold water therapy is a simple way of bringing ourself back to a natural state and make us feel alive. It is easy to practice, all you need is yourself and cold water! The shock and stimulating effect of the cold water brings various benefits to both body and mind.

Wim Hof (“The Iceman”) has made cold water therapy highly popular in recent times. He has instigated and taken part in multiple scientific studies to show the multiple benefits it can bring both to mental & physical wellbeing. The benefits and 3 ways to try it below.

“But, there is still every reason for healthy people to take cold showers, or swim outside in cold water. It gives you the feeling that you are alive.”

Wim Hof

20 Benefits of Cold Water Therapy

Cold water therapy is scientifically proven to bring a number of benefits including;

Improved immune response and resistance to disease
Improves lympthatic circulation
Reduces muscle inflammation
Improves cardiovascular circulation
Improves happiness
Releases endorphins
Aids weight loss
Improves hair
Improves skin quality
Calms itchy skin
Improves nails
Burns Calories
Quickens body’s cooling response
Reduces pain
Reduces swelling
Improves sleep quality
Better focus
Improves energy levels
Speeds up metabolism
Increases libido

“It's important to not be afraid of failure and to push yourself to try things and jump in the cold water. There are incredible, beautiful opportunities out there.”

Jurgen Teller

3 Ways To Try Cold Water Therapy

Cold water therapy brings so many benefits and it’s also very easy to try. The key to remember is to breathe deeply and steadily and relax your mind. As you get accustomed to practicing you will be able to naturally relax as you go through the process.

3 Ways to Try It

1. The Shower

Start with a warm shower
Lower the temperature until it’s Luke warm and adjust for a couple of minutes
Turn the hot off completely
Breathe deeply and let the mind relax
Do this for 20 seconds building up to about minute over the space of a week or two

2. Ice Bath

Once you have mastered the cold shower you can try the ice bath
Run a cold bath and add a small amount of ice (a couple of handfuls)
Ease yourself gently into the bath
Naturally you may gasp and the cold may overcome you
Inhale and exhale deeply until you are over the initial shock
Let your mind and body relax
Stay in the bath for up to 6 minutes
Repeat the above steps on spaced out occasions, adding more ice each time until you find the temperature that you can withstand
Never try to push yourself too hard or stay in the water for too long (longer than 6 minutes)
Take a look at the Wim Hof or Active sight below for ice bath tips

3. River, Lake or Sea

***Always beware of currents in moving water. Never put yourself at unnecessary risk***
Remove as many clothes as possible (as suitable for the setting!)
Wade quickly into the cold water until you are up to shoulder height
Stay still
Let the cold water flow over you
Calm your breathing and relax your mind
Stay in the water for approximately 6 minutes
Re-emerge