Dunking yourself into icy water probably doesn't sound like a fun experience, yet tons of people are going crazy for it. Cold water therapy is a huge hit, with people touting its benefits.
Going straight into ice baths may be too daunting for you though, so you're wondering about cold showers instead. But are these as effective as cold plunges? Are there situations that make one better than the other?
In this article, we'll discuss the advantages and drawbacks of taking an ice bath vs. cold shower. You can then weigh this information up yourself to decide which option speaks to you more.
Cold Showers
Cold showers are exactly what they sound like. It's pretty much the same as your daily routine, except you'd leave the suds out and you'll turn the dial to the colder side. You probably won't be able to tell exactly how cold it is, just that the water's dreadfully icy!
Cold Shower Benefits
Are cold showers good for you? Well, it depends on several factors, including how cold you get the water. Whether you're taking a cold shower or ice bath, the temperature must be under 60°F to activate certain responses in your body.
How cold do showers get though? On average, you can get them to between 50-60°F. So if you can get the temperature low enough, you can enjoy many cold shower benefits.
For one, the spray of cold water can instantly wake you up and increase alertness, making cold showers fantastic for early mornings. In addition, it can improve your mood and clarity since it'll trigger the release of endorphins. And if you've just worked out (and/or have an injury), the cold water can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Lastly, cold showers are highly convenient. All you have to do is jump in the shower after disrobing; there's no prep work involved.
Cold Shower Drawbacks
While cold showers can be invigorating, there are certain drawbacks that may not make them worth your time.
In general, cold showers are less intense. If you're using them for deep muscle recovery, you might be disappointed with the results.
Also, it might take some time to get used to the cold, and it might have you saying, "I'm out." Cold showers may be less intense, but they're still pretty chilly.
Ice Baths
With ice baths, you'll fill a large container with cold water and ice. Then, you'll immerse your entire body to have a personal polar plunge.
Ice Bath Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of the ice bath is its enhanced recovery when compared to cold showers. It's often used by professional athletes to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after intense physical activity. This is because the chilly water constricts blood vessels, which then reduces swelling and tissue breakdown.
If your skin's itchy or inflamed, the vasoconstriction from ice baths can soothe your symptoms. Do note that you shouldn't do cold plunges if you have open wounds though, as this can exacerbate your injuries.
Taking ice baths will improve your circulation too. To maintain your core temperature and fight the cold, your body will pump more blood. This results in more efficient removal of metabolic waste products from tissues.
Plus, ice baths have numerous mental health benefits. Not only can they alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, but they can also inspire confidence and boost your self-esteem.
Ice baths can also make you tougher, both physically and mentally. Regular exposure to cold water can stimulate your immune system, making it stronger. And the more you cold plunge, the better your mental resilience and stress tolerance will get.
Ice Bath Drawbacks
The biggest drawback to ice baths is how time-consuming it can be to prepare one. Not only do you need to fill a container with ice and water, but you'll also need to measure the temperature diligently to get it to your target number. Once you're done, you'll have to drain the container, which can be cumbersome.
Ice baths can also be more uncomfortable than cold showers since they're extremely cold. On that note, prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia if you're not careful.
In addition, cold plunges aren't suitable for people with certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular issues. This means it's always good to check with your doctor before trying one.
Ice Bath vs Cold Shower
So is a cold shower as good as a cold plunge? We'd say no. When it comes to a cold shower vs cold plunge, the former is a teaser for the latter.
If you're interested in ice baths, then we'd suggest that you try a cold shower first to see how you handle it. There's no setup or financial investment, so it's a great way to dip your toes in the water, so to speak.
Think that cold water immersion is something you'd like to incorporate into your regular lifestyle? Then you can move on to DIYing cold plunges. This allows you to get intense muscle recovery, reduce inflammation, and work on your mental health from the comfort of your own home.
Otherwise, you can occasionally use cold showers to boost alertness and enhance your mood quickly. At the end of your regular shower, you can switch to colder water to immediately get these results.
See For Yourself How Good Ice Baths Are
In the debate about ice bath vs cold showers, each has its own benefits and drawbacks. While cold showers may not be as intense as ice baths, they're not as effective for certain things too. Because of this, using a combination can be ideal for you.
But look beyond DIY ice baths, especially since there's a whole world to unlock by learning from experts. For instance, we at Reconnect have a breathwork certification program. Not only can you learn effective exercises that'll make cold plunges easier (and have the glorious experience of ice baths on the beach!), but you can learn how to teach them to others too.
Come to the beautiful paradise that is Playa del Carmen to see just how good ice baths with our instructors can be. Check out our packages to see which are ideal for you.
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