A human development expert explains that this exposure helps the brain deal with pain
Summary
Taking cold water baths can improve physical and mental health, as it stimulates the release of hormones such as dopamine, as well as helping to deal with pain and chronic depression. Studies have shown the benefits of taking cold baths.
Imagine if that shower right after waking up, before a full day of work, was with cold water? It may seem like a bit of an unpleasant idea, but perhaps it’s what your body needs to improve physical and mental health. The practice of taking cold baths, whether in the shower or bathtub, known as cold water immersion, can benefit followers. Some celebrities like Cauã Reymond, Mariana Goldfarb, Duda Nagle and even pop stars Lady Gaga and Anitta are fans of this practice.
Numerous studies have already revealed these benefits, and in the most recent one, researchers from the United Kingdom concluded that bathing in cold water increases adrenaline, producing anti-inflammatory responses in the body. In another study, Dutch researchers found that people who took cold showers were less likely to miss work due to illness than those who took hot showers.
For the human and personal development specialist, Gisele HedlerAlso a fan of this practice, exposure to cold water activates parts of the brain that help deal with pain, as well as promoting overall well-being.
Practice helps deal with pain
Cold baths gained notoriety after Dutch sportsman Wim Hof set the world record for his acrobatics of resisting extreme temperatures through techniques combining breathing and immersion in ice water. According to him, the practice helps deal with depression, pain, concentration, mood and anxiety. Gisele explains that when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, the veins and blood vessels become compressed.
“This means there will be more blood flow to your organs, which will have more nutrients to work with and will therefore be able to function more efficiently,” he says.
This should not be surprising, however, since according to the human development expert, cold baths have been used as therapy since ancient times. For her it is as if the cold was a stimulus for the body to carry out functions essential for our emotional well-being.
“The sympathetic nervous system, activated in dangerous situations or during physical exercise, is not entirely involuntary, as was believed until recently. Exposure to cold stimulates this part of the brain, improving mood and aiding adaptation to life stressors,” explains Gisele.
Cold water also causes a sudden and intense release of hormones that can have antidepressant effects, says the human development expert.
“There have been some studies in the UK that have shown that cold water immersion three times a week can treat chronic depression. This is because by immersing yourself in cold water you can get a huge activation of dopamine, a hormone that depressed people are limited in,” she explains.
Gisele concludes by emphasizing that everyone’s answers are individual and generalization can lead to errors. Therefore, the ideal is not to impose this practice as right or wrong before practicing it and checking the response of an individual’s body.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
