Life Hack: Ice Bath & Cold Shower

Putting yourself in an ice bath seems like a crazy thing to do. Human beings are supposed to operate at a constant 97 to 99°F, not -10°F.  

But a little frigidity occasionally is way better for you than you might think. Being cold, it turns out, is good!

Today, many punters use the Wim Hof breathing technique to help them manage the cold. Gentle breathing exercises done meditatively can have a profound effect on your nervous system and state of mind, providing a host of benefits you never thought possible. 

But why are ice baths and cold showers a life hack? What does science say? Let’s take a look. 

They Enhance Your Mood

Taking an ice bath or cold shower feels awful. Your whole body wants to return to the warmth as soon as possible. Therefore, you’d think it’d be the last thing that would improve your mood. 

But not so. Evidence shows freezing your butt off releases massive quantities of the neurotransmitter dopamine, the same chemical the brain releases in response to rewarding stimuli like eating a burger. Research finds that short bouts of moderate cold exposure can dramatically elevate levels, causing you to feel a profound well-being afterward. 

They Increase Metabolism

Taking cold showers may also force the body to undergo metabolic changes. Lower external temperatures encourage the body to burn more energy to maintain a constant internal heat, increasing the total calories burned. 

They Could Slow Down Aging

There’s also evidence that taking cold showers could put the brakes on the aging process. Like dieting and exercise, cold exposure is a form of healthy stress that may activate longevity pathways in the cell—enzymes that protect the epigenome switch to housekeeping mode, keeping everything neat, tidy, and youthful.

They Increase Focus

Like your morning cup of Joe, ice baths and cold showers also increase your focus. They jolt your body out of its complacency and force the nervous system to respond. It’s such a powerful stimulus it’s almost impossible not to have a visceral response.

But why? Intentional cold exposure appears to raise various forms of adrenaline in the body, making you feel alert and priming you for activity. It also causes agitation, provoking you to vocalize your sensations (like, “holy moly, that’s cold.”)

Moreover, this effect may last for several hours. Cold causes a change in the body’s hormone balance, maintaining high energy levels for a prolonged period and helping you in other activities, such as work, gym, or cycling. 

They Build Your Ability To Withstand Life’s Challenges

Lastly, ice baths and cold showers help you face life’s challenges. Choosing the hard option enhances your executive function and gives you a sense of “top-down control” in your life. If you can stand under a 45°F shower for three minutes, everything else seems easy. 

A Note Of Caution

Be aware that you can overdo cold therapy. Always work with a qualified instructor. If you take cold showers at home, keep the temperature between 45°F and 60°F. Push your body to the limit, but not over it. Start easy and then work your way up (or down, should we say?)

Make sure you practice breathing techniques for the cold throughout the experience. Relaxing the body helps to make it significantly more pleasant.