INCREASES ENERGY LEVELS

TRIGGERS HORMESIS AND IMPROVES RESILIENCE

In many ways, your body adapts to frigid temperatures similarly to how it adapts to intense workouts: it’s uncomfortable initially, but as your body adapts, it becomes stronger. It took me about four or five cold plunges until 39-degree water no longer felt terrible. As a result, I’ve been increasing the duration of my cold plunges, and my sensitivity to cold temperatures has decreased (even outside the tub).

SPEEDS UP PHYSICAL RECOVERY

When you jump into ice-cold water, your central nervous system causes the blood vessels in your extremities to constrict to force the warm blood to your vital organs. As a result, circulation in your arms and legs gets temporarily restricted.
However, once you get out of the cold water, your blood vessels dilate, thus triggering increased blood flow to the muscle tissue in your extremities and skin.

BOOSTS YOUR MOOD

In addition to that psychological boost, there’s also a biological aspect to cold plunging mood-altering benefits: the process triggers the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine.

IMPROVES SLEEP