WE SWEAT
The Benefits of Taking the Plunge
West Seattle’s first cold plunge!
Cold immersion therapy, also known as cold plunges or cold water immersion, is a practice that involves submerging the body in cold water for a short period of time. Cold immersion therapy has been used for centuries to improve overall health and wellbeing and has been scientifically proven to have a wide range of benefits.
We want to invite you to read up on the benefits of cold immersion therapy yourself before taking the plunge! Here are just a few ways cold plunges can improve your mental & physical health.
Improves Circulation & Reduces Inflammation
Cold plunges help with circulation and inflammation by stimulating the body’s natural physiological responses to cold temperatures. When you immerse your body in cold water, the blood vessels in your skin constrict, causing more blood to be redirected to the body’s core. The increased blood flow to your core helps pump blood more efficiently throughout the body, improving circulation and reducing inflammation. This also allows your body to recover quicker from exercise, if you run, lift, hike or bike, you’ll feel the difference the next day!
Improve Mental Clarity & Focus
The shock of cold water plunging activates our sympathetic nervous system, the part of our bodies responsible for our ‘fight of flight’ response. This response leads to the release of endorphins, our natural pain killers and mood elevators, our endorphins help us reduce stress, anxiety, improve overall mood and improve mental clarity and focus.
All of these physiological responses also lead to a better night’s sleep at the end of the day, and we all know the importance of a good night's sleep. An exhausted mind is rarely a productive one, but you’ll feel sharp as a tack the day after a cold plunge!
How Long Do I Plunge?
Wondering how long to plunge for?
11 minutes a week is the sweet-spot for athletic recovery according to this study.
Of Course There’s More!
There are countless other benefits, both scientific and anecdotal, to cold plunging. The only hard part is getting in there!
We recommend practicing at home with cold showers and the Official Wim Hof Mobile App to help prepare you for a great experience in our plunge ⛄
Learn more about cold plunge benefits here.
Immune System Boost
Think of our cold plunge as a superhero sidekick for your immune system! Our immune system has white blood cells to help fight off infection and disease - and they increase when you immerse yourself in cold water.
When you take the plunge, your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline - this in turn stimulates the creation of new white blood cells, as well as strengthening the ones that are already there.
And it doesn’t end there! Cold water immersion increases the production of cytokines, which are small proteins that help regulate immune response. It’s no wonder Wim Hof is able to combat viruses under extraordinary conditions!
