NINE PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF ICE BATHS

1 PAIN RELIEF

Cold water immersion gives not only at least temporary pain relief, but also aids recovery after workouts.

2 HOT AND COLD

Alternating between hot and cold-water baths (contrast water therapy) may help athletes feel better and also offer temporary pain relief.

3 WARM UP AFTER

Because cold water may also stiffen muscles, the time spent in the ice bath is important as you want all the benefits, but none of the risks. Between 30 to 60 minutes after the ice bath, a full warm up must be done by having a hot bath or hot drink.

4 CONSTRICTS THE FLOW

Swelling and tissue breakdown are alleviated through vessel dilation when the blood vessels, veins and arteries are constricted.

5 FLUSH IT OUT!

Another positive benefit is the clearing and flushing of waste products like lactic acid out of the muscles and the blood system.

6 POSITIVE AFTER EFFECTS

There is also a reduction in perceived exertion in subsequent training sessions. Athletes can immediately go and train again or even more successfully the next day.

7 DECREASED MUSCLE DAMAGE

The immersion in very cold water also results in the reduction of creatine kinase within the muscles, which assists with decreasing muscle damage.

8 MORE MOBILITY AND FLEXIBILITY

Relaxed muscle length is longer following a period of cold water immersion, which allows for an increase in mobility and flexibility.

9 GENERAL HEALTH

Regular cold water immersion helps boost your body’s levels of the antioxidant glutathione, which in turn helps regulate the process of all other antioxidants in the body, helping to reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer!