For many, the idea of jumping into a bath of ice-cold water isn't exactly appealing.
But following promotion by Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof, also known as The Iceman, cold water immersion therapy is trending on social media and is said to hold a wide range of physical and mental benefits.
Willing to give an ice bath a go? Experts at The Ice Co have shared some key benefits for anyone contemplating taking the plunge.
Soothing sore muscles
The most common use of ice baths is to soothe aching muscles.
"The chilly temperature of the water reduces the damage of the affected tissue and lowers the risk of further swelling," the experts said.
Calming stress
Taking a dip into the ice-cold water can help to alleviate stress and anxiety. When you get into an ice bath, the cold water activates the vagus nerve, which decreases stress levels and helps you to relieve tension and anxiety. The Ice Co recommends pairing the ice bath with "controlled breathing and meditation".
Boosting the immune system
According to the experts, research has shown that people who take ice baths "catch fewer colds". The exposure to the cold temperatures results in "an increase in white blood cells and natural killer (NK) cells which fight off infections", they added.
Weight control
The icy activity can also help you control your weight.
"Cold exposure activates brown adipose tissue - also known as brown fat - which has the potential to work the body harder and therefore, lose more calories."
Getting the blood flowing
While in an ice bath, the blood in your body moves "towards your organs" in an attempt to keep your body temperature up. In turn, this increases your heart rate and elevates your respiratory rate. When you get out of the bath, your blood vessels dilate, which increases circulation.
And if you still aren't convinced, you should know loads of high-profile names have jumped on the chilly trend.
Celebs including Kendall Jenner, David Beckham, Lady Gaga, and Russell Brand have all shared that they have used ice baths as a form of self-care.
