#hackingcoldplunges

Many of us have experienced injuries that induce inflammation, thus requiring frequent icing to expedite the healing process.

Shoving a swollen ankle or foot into a mind and body-numbing bucket of ice to heal an injury is something I’ve faced much of my life. But full-blown ice baths are now all the rage. Why?

Husband Hal has been extolling the virtues of cold plunges to me for months. Only last week in a moment of courage did I give the cold plunge my first go. It was painful but the anti-inflammation effects are real. Harper’s Bazaar did a great round up of the 14 benefits of cold plunges recently that sums it up thoroughly.

Here are the short list of possible virtues of #coldplunges that inspire me to give cold-plunges an an ongoing go:

(1) Enhanced “active recovery”(decreasing muscle soreness);
(2) Enhanced immune system support (e.g. increased production of “leukocytes”)
(3) Accelerated metabolism
(4) Enhanced focus (due to spiked “dopamine”)
(5) And again, decreased inflammation

So, net net, may be worth taking the plunge and giving the cold a try if you are willing (and if recommended by your healthcare provider).