Are you looking for new and improved ways to reach your health goals this year? Lucky for you, scientists and Colorado Custom Spas are always looking for the next big thing in health and wellness. Ice baths are rising quickly in popularity as a health improvement tool.
Ice baths are exactly what they sound like, a tub of freezing cold water that you submerge yourself in. Before you balk in horror at the thought of hopping into ice water on purpose, let us help you explore the numerous health benefits you can gain from them.
Increased Alertness
Think of this experience as the opposite of a hot tub. If a hot tub relaxes you and allows your heart rate to drop, blood vessels to open, and your muscles to relax, an ice bath may do the exact opposite. Plunging into cold water “wakes your body up.” You will have an increased heart rate, smaller blood vessels, and your muscles will tighten, all alerting your body to pay attention.
Circulation
One of the main advantages of an ice bath is improved circulation. Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which helps to improve circulation and reduce swelling by forcing old blood out of the area and bringing in fresh, oxygenated blood. This can help reduce the time it takes for an injury to heal and reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.
Improved Immune System
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the latest studies indicate that people who douse in cold water daily are 29% more likely to stay healthy. This is because the cold allows white blood cells to develop at a faster rate. The white blood cells are what fight off viruses and infections in our bodies.
Mood Boost
Researchers always look at the impact on your emotional health today and have found positive correlations with ice baths. The cold water allows access to more neurotransmitters in the brain, making us feel better.
Pain Reduction
We have all experienced some sort of muscle soreness before. A common remedy used is alternating cold and heat on the affected area. An ice bath provides the perfect space for cold to work on your muscles. Restricting blood flow to the affected area and decreasing inflammation can minimize your pain.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury and can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. An ice bath can help to reduce inflammation by restricting blood flow to the affected area and decreasing swelling. This can help reduce the time it takes to recover from an injury and the amount of pain experienced.
Recovery Time
Recovery time is essential for anyone trying to meet specific health goals, as it can determine how quickly you can return to your workouts. An ice bath can help reduce recovery time by reducing swelling and inflammation and increasing circulation to the affected area. Alternating this with heat can create the ultimate space for your body to recover quickly.
More Calories Burned
An ice bath can also help you to burn calories! This is enough for many of us to try it out. The tightening of your muscles and increased heart rate can cause your body to burn a few more calories while you are cooling off from your workout.
No matter what health goals you have set for yourself this year, an ice bath can help you meet them. Stop by one of our locations today to see the options available to you and even try some out before buying. We can’t wait to help you start living your best life.
