In recent years, cold plunging has become quite popular, not to mention the sheer number of studies that aim at understanding how this cold water immersion practice affects our bodies. It has been linked to numerous health benefits, including an enhanced immune system, better blood circulation, reduced inflammation, and reduced stress and anxiety.
If cold plunging sounds intriguing, and you want to try it yourself, you're probably wondering for how long to cold plunge for maximum benefits, right?! After all, this is one of the most important things to master because cold plunging for too long or too quickly can lead to severe adverse reactions.
We've already done the hard work and found the answers you've been looking for! In addition, we've discovered some studies that prove how beneficial cold water immersion is. Keep reading to learn more!
Key Takeaways
- The time you should spend immersed in cold water depends on whether you're a beginner or an experienced cold plunger. You should start with 30 seconds per cold plunge session and gradually increase to up to 10 minutes. It's generally recommended to confirm with your doctor if cold plunging is safe for you.
- Cold plunges offer various health benefits, including inflammation reduction, muscle soreness relief, metabolism boost, stress and anxiety relief, mood enhancement, and improved sleep quality.
- Safe practice and slow progression are essential. You can prepare your body by practicing breathing exercises, taking safety precautions, and making sure to warm up gradually after plunging.
What Is a Cold Plunge?
A cold plunge is scientifically referred to as cold water immersion (CWI), which, in turn, is a type of cryotherapy. As such, cold plunging means immersing the body in cold water for a limited amount of time. The water temperature ranges between 4-15°C or 39-59°F.
Although this therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years, cold water immersion practices were first used by Ancient Greeks for relaxation and socialization. Let's not forget about Thomas Jefferson, who had a cold foot bath every morning for 60 years to stay healthy!
Over the centuries, physicists have studied the benefits and dangers of cold plunging. Although many studies are still inconclusive and require further tests, our knowledge of how long to cold plunge for and the benefits of this practice is much more extensive.
Determining the Ideal Cold Plunge Duration
If you want to start practicing cold water immersion, you must learn for how long to cold plunge because the appropriate duration is the key to get maximum benefit from this cold exposure.
Unfortunately, the ideal cold plunge time is not a one-size-fits-all; otherwise, everything would be much easier! The optimal duration of cold plunge therapy ranges from 30 seconds to as much as 10-11 minutes. The secret is to take things very slowly while allowing your body to adjust to cold water immersion. Keep reading to learn exactly how to do this!
Beginner's Approach
If you’re new to this and wondering how to cold plunge, think of it as a skill to be honed, starting with 30 seconds to a minute of exposure. Then, you can add 10-15 seconds during each cold plunge session. If you're unsure you can do this, start by taking cold showers regularly (see below for some tips).
This gentle introduction allows your body to acclimate without overwhelming it, reducing the risk of overexertion. If you stay too much time in cold water when you're just getting started, you can experience breathing difficulties, as well as an increased heart rate and high blood pressure. That's why it's essential to take things step by step.
Personal Factors and Recovery Considerations
Before starting to practice cold plunging regularly, you should consult a healthcare professional, especially if you’re managing chronic conditions or have specific medical concerns. Preparing mentally for the plunge through visualization and breathing exercises can also help you endure the chill just a bit longer during cold immersion.
After the session, a warm towel can provide comfort and help you transition back to your regular body temperature. It usually takes around 2 hours for your body to warm up naturally. Therefore, don't just jump into a hot shower to warm yourself up. This can lead to negative side effects.
Tips for Prolonging Cold Plunge Sessions
Venturing into colder waters for extended durations is a feat that comes with practice. But how can you safely stretch your limits without risking discomfort or health? We've already mentioned that you should embrace gradual progression and add 15-30 seconds for each session. Is there anything else you can do? Sure! We've put together some tips that can help you extend the length of your cold plunge session, so keep reading to learn about each!
Listen to Your Body
There's no need to push yourself too hard - this will only slow down the process. If you feel anxious or your body tells you to stop, just take a break, do quick dips, or leave it for another day. Another thing to remember is to NOT just dive in and submerge your entire body at once.
If you:
- start shivering,
- feel chest pain or discomfort,
- feel lightheaded,
- start breathing irregularly,
- or notice that your fingers or toes change color,
get out of the water immediately.
Breathing Techniques
Proper breathing is your ally against the initial shock of cold water. Deep, controlled breaths can soothe the nervous system and steady the heart rate, making the cold plunge experience more tolerable. Box breathing, a technique involving four counts each for inhaling, holding, and exhaling, can be particularly effective in maintaining focus and calm during your session. We strongly recommend practicing your breathing exercises before your first cold plunging session to ensure that your body gets used to them.
Safety Precautions and Professional Advice
Extending your time in the cold water isn’t worth the risk if safety is compromised. Having a buddy for supervision, being mindful of hypothermia signs, and avoiding immediate hot showers post-plunge are key-precautions for a secure, longer cold plunge experience.
We also recommend seeking professional advice regarding the right cold plunging equipment and, if possible, more expert tips for beginners on how long to cold plunge for. Our experts at COLDTURE are committed to providing you with the highest quality products and services, so don't hesitate to contact us!
Cold Plunge Benefits and Optimal Durations
Cold plunging is in itself a highly interesting and, at the same time, psychologically and physically rewarding experience. It has many benefits that you'll feel over time. Most of these benefits can be acquired with cold plunging sessions of 2-10 minutes at roughly 10-14°C (50-57°F). If you want to learn how exactly you'll benefit from immersing your body in cold water, keep reading!
Inflammation Reduction
In recent years, medical advancements have linked more and more diseases with inflammation - atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and depression are only some of them.
A 2017 study on cold water immersion suggests that regular cold plunges can reduce pro-inflammatory triggers. Specialists state that the stress and inflammatory responses of people who were adapted to regular cold plunges were lower than in people who were not used to cold exposure. That's why cold plunging sessions are often recommended for symptom management of diseases like arthritis and fibromyalgia. However, they should not replace medical treatment.
Muscle Recovery and Soreness Relief
Cold plunges also affect our blood flow. More precisely, they cause our blood vessels to constrict. Vasoconstriction has been associated reduced pain because it helps limit the inflammatory response. In addition, cold temperatures may also help reduce swelling and tissue breakdown (muscle soreness is caused by small-scale damage to the muscle fibers).
However, it is worth considering that vasoconstriction leads to high blood pressure. While this momentary effect is safe for people with a healthy heart, those with cardiovascular problems or a family history of heart conditions should consult a physician before cold plunging.
Metabolism Boost and Fat Burning
Imagine igniting your metabolic rate just by embracing the cold! A review study showed that cold water immersion seems to help reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity, as well as reduce and transform body adipose tissue. It may also have protective benefits against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, cold water immersion can activate brown fat, which helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.
Mental Health Benefits
Studies have shown that cold exposure triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the "fight-or-flight" responses, and increases beta-endorphin levels that help alleviate pain. Cold water immersion can also send electrical impulses to the brain, thus causing an anti-depressive effect. After the sympathetic does its job, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, which is responsible for relaxing the body.
As such, it is argued that regular cold water exposure has numerous mental health benefits, thus helping us handle stressful situations better (since it basically "trains" our fight-or-flight response), improving our mood, and reducing anxiety and depression. Research shows that these results can be acquired by immersing in waters of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) for only 2-3 minutes, which makes it even easier for those with no prior experience of cold exposure!
Cold Water Immersion Risks
Cold plunging does have benefits (although further research is still required). But what about the risks? They're definitely worth considering. After all, knowledge is the key to success!
As we've already mentioned, do not cold plunge if you have underlying health conditions without consulting your doctor. Furthermore, although they occur rarely, it is still important to consider the following risks of cold plunging:
- It can lead to hypothermia.
- It can cause heart issues.
- It can lead to shock.
- It can worsen respiratory conditions.
Cold Plunge Alternatives and Complementary Practices
Cold plunging isn't the only method you can try to practice cold exposure. For those without access to a plunge pool or who prefer alternative methods, there are several other accessible and cost-effective practices to consider.
Cold Showers
Regular cold showers are the perfect stepping stone for anyone looking to ease into cold therapy. Taking a cold shower is an accessible way to acclimate to the cold, offering a spectrum of benefits that prime the body for more intense practices like ice bathing.
Start by taking a warm shower, then turn the water to a colder temperature at the end. Stay under the colder water for 1-2 minutes. Gradually, lower the temperature further and increase the duration of your cold shower. Don't forget to listen to your body while doing this, and stop if anything bothers you.
Ice Baths and Whole-Body Cryotherapy (WBC)
Ice baths are, in easy terms, a type of cold water immersion for experienced cold plungers. An ice bath session implies immersing your entire body in icy temperatures between 1-4°C or 33-39°F. Since this means exposure to extreme cold, an ice bath is not recommended for beginners. Additionally, anyone who wants to practice ice bathing should consult a healthcare professional beforehand.
Whole-Body Cryotherapy means exposing the body to cold temperatures using air instead of water. One session lasts only 2-4 minutes. This non-invasive therapy is currently used for rheumatoid arthritis, stress, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia.
Common Cold Plunge Misconceptions
Despite its growing popularity, cold plunging is shrouded in myths and misconceptions. Some believe it can make you sick, while others assume that the longer you can withstand the cold, the better. Are these assumptions really true?
Contrary to popular belief, cold plunging doesn’t invite colds or the flu; in fact, it can do quite the opposite. Rather than causing sickness, cold plunges may actually contribute to building a stronger immune system.
Furthermore, the belief that enduring the cold for extended periods yields better results is a misconception that can lead to serious health risks like hypothermia or even death. The optimal duration for cold plunging should be dictated by the individual’s response and the benefits sought, not by the clock.
Summary
In summary, the potential benefits of cold plunging are as diverse as the individuals who practice it! From reducing inflammation to enhancing sleep, the key is to find your sweet spot – that perfect duration that maximizes benefits while ensuring safety and enjoyment. Don't forget that cold plunging is not about pushing through discomfort; it’s about listening to your body and finding balance.
If you've decided to set on this cold exposure adventure, consider seeking medical advice before getting started. Once your doctor says it's safe, contact COLDTURE to get your professional cold plunging equipment!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you do cold water therapy for?
You can start with 30 seconds to a minute and work up to 5-10 minutes at a time for cold water therapy. It's important to build up your tolerance gradually and avoid staying submerged for more than 10 minutes.
Can you overdo a cold plunge?
Yes, staying for too long in cold water leads to serious negative effects. It's essential to increase the plunge duration gradually and not overdo it on your first cold plunge while your body adapts.
Is cold plunging safe for everyone?
Cold plunging is generally safe for most people, but individuals with heart disease or other chronic illnesses should consult a healthcare professional before attempting it.
How often should I do cold plunges for the best results?
For the best results, aim for a minimum of 2-3 cold plunge sessions per week, but doing it once weekly is still beneficial.
Can cold plunging help with weight loss?
Yes, cold plunging can help with weight loss because it can potentially increase metabolic rate and improve insulin sensitivity, which can help you lose weight.
