Half of the world's population will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime, which makes it all the more important for you to take care of yourself. With some disorders, you may not be able to prevent them from happening, but there are definitely things you can do to feel better.
If we told you that ice baths and mental health are connected, would you be surprised? Shockingly, they can do more than make your body freezing cold. They can have an effect on your mental state too.
Here are 7 of the benefits of ice baths for your mental health.
1. Reduced Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
It's normal to go through periods of depression and anxiety during your life, but that doesn't mean those are easy times to experience. Your symptoms may be bad enough that you can't do anything at all, and that can be debilitating.
The good news is that studies have shown that cold plunges can trigger your body to release a number of neurotransmitters, including endorphins. These are "feel good" hormones that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators; you might've heard of them before since people get "runner's high." The rush of endorphins can therefore help alleviate symptoms of both depression and anxiety.
Another neurotransmitter/hormone ice baths stimulate is norepinephrine. Low norepinephrine is associated with low moods, so if you can raise your levels, you'll have improved moods and relief from depression.
Ice baths can also fight depression by putting you into a state of hyperarousal. This pushes down your blood pressure (after an initial spike) and works against the state of hypoarousal you're in when you're depressed.
2. Improved Stress Management
As we've said above, norepinephrine production can decrease stress, so you won't have as much to deal with. But on top of that, studies show that ice baths can lower your body's cortisol levels. Cortisol is our main stress hormone, so needless to say, you'll manage stress much better by doing cold plunges.
Also, ice baths aren't easy to get through. Kudos to you if you can stay immersed in ice-cold water; this will definitely build your mental toughness and resilience. If you can handle this, then you can handle anything life throws your way.
3. Enhanced Sleep Quality
Have you noticed that when your core body temperature (CBT) decreases, you start feeling sleepy? That's no coincidence.
When the sun goes down, and the outside temperatures drop, your body takes the cue that it's nighttime and that it's time to sleep. You become drowsy because you start producing melatonin, the hormone that's key for shuteye.
If you're having trouble sleeping, then enjoy one of the best cold water therapy benefits for mental health. After taking a dip, your CBT will lower, which will the promote deeper and more restful sleep. As a result, your mental health will improve since you can tackle anything after a good night's sleep.
4. Increased Alertness and Energy
You might feel like you're going through life in a fog, with fatigue stealing the show. Well, not only can ice baths give you better sleep, but they can increase your alertness and energy too.
The shock of cold water immersion can immediately increase both things. This is because the activity stimulates your sympathetic nervous system, which is your "fight-or-flight" system.
Dunking yourself in cold water can also improve your blood circulation. This increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to your brain, resulting in better cognitive function and energy levels.
5. Mindfulness and Presence
You know how you can't focus on anything else but the intense sensations that result from slurping a cold drink too quickly? The same thing happens when you take an ice bath.
The overwhelming sensation of cold water requires immediate focus and presence, and you can consider this a type of mindfulness practice. It can help you become more grounded and reduce rumination on negative thoughts.
Cold plunges are also often combined with controlled breathing techniques to make the cold more manageable. Alongside the other mental benefits of an ice bath, this promotes relaxation and a meditative state that calms your mind.
6. Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence
Most of us will struggle with self-esteem and confidence at some point, but for many people, it can be crippling. This may prevent them from realizing their potential, and it may cause missed opportunities as well.
There's no doubt that a cold plunge is uncomfortable and not everyone's cup of tea. But if you push through that discomfort, it can boost your self-esteem and confidence. It'll reinforce the idea that you can face and overcome challenging situations.
Over time, regular ice bath practice can provide a sense of achievement and progress too. If you want to eliminate low motivation or self-worth, then keeping up with ice baths is a wonderful way to do this.
7. Social Connection and Support
Humans are social creatures; try to go weeks without speaking to anyone, and you're sure to feel down. Simply getting together with a group of people to take ice baths can create a sense of camaraderie, and you might just build some strong bonds with fellow participants.
Even if you only go once or twice, you'll immediately feel a sense of community and social support amongst like-minded people. The feelings of acceptance, kindness, and openness will be fantastic for your mental well-being.
Experience the Benefits of Ice Baths for Your Mental Health
Cold plunges aren't just physical challenges to do and brag about. There are so many benefits of ice baths for your mental health that they can significantly change your life.
Of course, you shouldn't substitute ice baths for proper mental health treatment. However, they can be a valuable addition to a holistic approach to your mental wellness. Just make sure you check with your doctor first before starting cold water immersion, especially if you have preexisting health conditions.
If you're ready to see what ice baths can do for you, then check out our schedule now. We at Reconnect will provide you with enriching sessions in beautiful Playa del Carmen.
Comentarios