I bought some ice block molds that I plan on using for my cold therapy. Going to fill my bath tub with straight cold water and add a few blocks of ice to try and achieve colder temps. My water from the tap is 50 degrees, and I'm hoping the ice can chill it down to at least 45. We'll see!
The (Becoming) Popular Ice Bath/Cold Shower Trend
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I do one after every run (3 to 4 miles). I love the energy it provides. Nothing beats a good run followed by a cold plunge and a cold drink with a good smoke.
Oddly enough, if you end with cold in the shower, even for a few seconds, you will have a feeling afterword that you can "hold" your heat better and feel warmer in a cold room. So in the heat of summer it "makes sense", but sometimes I'll even do it in the winter for the aforementioned effect.
Not living in Spain!
What a fine match you played vs. Les Bleus! I hope you don't play so well this weekend.
That's the way it is friend. It's not predictable to know, to until the first half of the game is analyzed. May the best one win. In addition, it seems that these new generations of youngsters avoid finishing the game with penalties. In the past, it was more boring and uncomfortable to finish the game with penalties. Now we see more energy and desire to play.Not living in Spain!
What a fine match you played vs. Les Bleus! I hope you don't play so well this weekend.
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Many moons ago when I was younger, I used to sit in an ice water bath after running. It really did help prevent sore muscles.
On another note, while replacing my old water heater with a new tankless one, I found a ton a mineral build-up on the outside of the hot water outlet copper pipe. During the work I moved the line enough to expose 3 holes in the copper pipe. So tomorrow morning I'll be taking a cold shower.
On another note, while replacing my old water heater with a new tankless one, I found a ton a mineral build-up on the outside of the hot water outlet copper pipe. During the work I moved the line enough to expose 3 holes in the copper pipe. So tomorrow morning I'll be taking a cold shower.
I’m gonna suggest that it becomes popular BS when its spread amongst the general public on the internet. I do not deny some benefit for some people. Sports medicine is real medicine but its practitioners are doctors. Research also states there are risks for extreme practices and a physician should clear folks. Rapid restriction of blood vessels, increased blood pressure and rapid heartbeat is not ideal for some.
Blood transfusions are real and have benefits but going to spas and getting infusions of “Young Blood” is just wacky as hell but people pay fortunes to do it
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Science is advancing brother. Gotta have an open mind. These popular trends catch on for a reason. Positive effects are being scientificly researched heavily about cold exposure, and they are pretty substantial!
You're absolutely correct, which is why I wrote "mild", and "within limits". The Johns Hopkins article covers where the practice may offer benefits and where it doesn't, and also discussing it with your doctor.
I would never consider having a cold shower or submerging yourself for a short duration in cold water to be life threatening! Just because something isn't comfortable, doesn't mean it's a terrible thing. I certainly wouldn't want to stay in waters near freezing temperatures for more than 5-10 minutes, but our bodies have many survival tools that kick in when it feels threatened. It activates our fight or flight response, which is a good thing! We are designed to survive.
Having said that, you have to do things like this with some sense. Don't just go and dive in a frozen Lake if you are new to cold exposure. You'll probably gasp for your breath the second you hit the water, inhale a lungful of water and drown! But when you carefully enter the cold feet first, you'll gasp for air and your brain is gonna get a threat response and think you're life is in danger and are going to die. But then you realize that this is just what cold feels like, it's not death. You will slowly become more comfortable after a minute or so.
If you're an old, unhealthy individual definately talk to your doctor. Although I doubt their textbooks have anything on the matter. There are just way too many positive feedback from cold therapy to deny that it doesn't have potential for more scientific research, which honestly, there is already plenty of already.
Yes, ice cold is hard on folks with health conditions and older folks. Being older I should know when its a problem but it is. There is a reason a lot of old dudes have heart attacks when shoveling snow...even if active. The cold is the culprit...or at least part of it.
A bit of a cold shower is different...at least in my non medical thiking. Ice baths...that can be complicated for some.
A bit of a cold shower is different...at least in my non medical thiking. Ice baths...that can be complicated for some.
Yes, certainly, but there is also the question of optimizing of the practice, and temperature plays a role in that, which doesn't necessarily equate with colder is actually better.
But it's about conquering that fear! It'll make you feel alive like you've never experienced. Only after you've done it, could one understand, lol. Everyone on God's green earth would PREFER the sauna for comfort, but this is about being uncomfortable, and adapting so that you're OK with the discomfort. I'm telling you, it's pretty unreal.
Where is that Alaskan boy at? @alaskanpiper You've fell out of your chair into the icy waters once or twice, eh?? Tell me it didn't make you feel ALIVE!!
I used to do a cold shower to snap myself out of a hangover before a hard day's work. It really can change your mindset from unready to ready.
There are many people who practice this daily at 33-34 degrees. Basically water that has natural ice floating in it, lol. I haven't done anything that cold YET, but I'm in the works of acquiring a chest freezer that I'll be converting to a cold plunge. I'm hoping to it in the low 40's and start there. It's definately something one might want to build up to before trying the temps on the verge of freezing
Had my source wrong. It wasn't Johns Hopkins, it was the Mayo Clinic.
In any event, here's a link to their article if you care to read it.
Cold-water plunging health benefits
Immersing in frigid water may not seem good for your health, but it can provide benefits from reducing inflammation to improving mood.
www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org