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Ice Baths vs. Cold Showers: Why You Should Upgrade

People who swear by ice baths do so for a variety of reasons. Even more so than cold showers, ice baths can be a helpful addition to your quest for general wellness. You probably won't go back after taking an ice bath after you've experienced its benefits for yourself.

This essay will go into the potential advantages of cold water immersion treatment and explain why taking an ice bath in an Ice Barrel is superior to taking a cold shower.


Cold showers vs. ice baths: Vagus Nerve Stimulation


According to research, the Vagus nerve is stimulated by taking a cold shower or bath, which helps to reduce tension. This can be accomplished to some extent with cold showers, but an ice bath elevates the experience. The Vagus nerve might hold the key to general health.

There will come a time when taking a cold shower won't allow you to lower the water's temperature any further. This barrier is crossed by an ice bath, which makes the water colder than what you can use for a shower.


Activating the vagus nerve to feel calm


Your body reacts by releasing the stress hormone cortisol when it detects a stressor, which can range from everyday stress at work and home to genuine survival threats. The Vagus nerve takes over and suppresses the stress response when the threat has passed. It has been discovered that when the vagus nerve is stimulated, you feel calmer.

The Vagus nerve can be completely encircled in cold temperatures by the full cold water immersion offered by ice baths, which aids in activating it. The use of a shower precludes this.


For Post-Workout Recovery, Ice Baths Are Better Than Cold Showers


It will be easier to move after taking an ice bath. Your ability to perform better and get ready for your next session sooner thanks to a reduction in muscle discomfort after exercise. When utilized post-workout, cold water immersion dramatically reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). According to a recent meta-analysis, the best protocol is 11–15 °C (50–60 °F) for 11–15 minutes.

In this regard, ice baths will be more effective than a cold shower, in part because of your own assurance and conviction. A cold shower is beneficial, but your perception of recuperation, mental toughness, and confidence are significantly increased when you can immerse yourself in ice-cold water.

Additionally, there is proof that submersion in water that is almost frozen stimulates the creation of white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.

Benefits for Metabolism and Fat Loss with Ice Baths


Repeated exposure to cold water may help with fat loss in addition to speeding up the recovery process after a workout. It has been demonstrated that exposure to cooler temperatures causes our bodies' brown fat levels to rise. Brown fat differs from other types of fat. Brown fat aids in the breakdown of fat and glucose molecules, improving metabolism.

"If we expose our bodies to the cold environment, the way our bodies deal with it over time is to develop more brown fat," said Dr. Dino Premilovac of the University of Tasmania.

"It's more muscle-like than fat-like in what it does," he continues. This outcome is brought about by the body's adaptation to repetition. It won't work to finish your shower with a cold water rinse. Your resolve to take advantage of the advantages of cold water immersion will be strengthened if you have a modality that is singularly focused and purpose-driven to be used every day for cryotherapy.


Dementia and the loss of skeletal mass may both be prevented by cold water immersion.


It has been demonstrated that swimming in cold water causes the body to produce the cold-shock protein RBM3, which can prevent muscle loss by boosting protein synthesis and has neuroprotective properties.

Swimmers who routinely practice in unheated water in swimming clubs were the subject of a study by researchers from The University of Cambridge. Swimmers in cold water were contrasted with athletes in a different sport (Tai Chi) who did not compete in a chilly setting. The swimmers had larger quantities of the RBM3 protein, whereas there were none in the Tai Chi participants, according to the results.

Cold Water Immersion May Help with Restful Sleep

A wellness regimen is useless without a decent night's sleep. Whatever your objective—weight loss, gaining muscle, reducing anxiety, etc.—having a good night's sleep is crucial.

Ice baths could improve your sleep. Studies have supported this. Sleep is improved by ice baths and cold water swimming. The improvement is genuine; it is not a placebo effect.


Today, switch from cold showers to ice baths.


The hydrostatic pressure of water causes compression when you are submerged in it. Edema, discomfort, and reduced respiratory capacity are notably helped by immersion in cold water when utilizing an Ice Barrel. Compared to a shower, which cannot offer the same level of assurance regarding the water's temperature, using an ice bath offers many benefits. Take a chilly shower. Better are ice baths. You will be better able to take advantage of all the advantages that cold water immersion treatment has to offer if you have a product like Ice Barrel in your house that is committed to enhancing physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

 

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