Benefits of Ice Bathing

If you are Brave enough!

It has been around for hundreds of years as "contrast therapy," also known as "hot/cold immersion therapy"
 
As the body responds to the drastic change in temperature, it brings about a series of positive effects.
 
Heart Rate
 
There is a significant increase of oxygen intake. It also increases heart rate, resulting to a rush of blood through the entire body, giving a natural dose of energy.
 
Muscle Soreness
 
Cold immersion after a sauna might also help improve blood flow and faster recovery from muscle damage and soreness. 
 
Skin
 
A cold shower may also have a rejuvenating effect on the skin due to the increase blood
flow.
 
Depression
 
Due to the high density of cold receptors in the skin, cold showers send electrical impulses from peripheral nerve endings to the brain which results in an anti-depressive effect.
 
Strengthens immunity
 
According to a study done in 1993 by the Thrombosis Research Institute in England, individuals who took daily cold showers saw an increase in the number of virus fighting white blood cells compared to individuals who took hot showers. Researchers believe that the increased metabolic rate, which results from the body’s attempt to warm itself up, activates the immune system and releases more white blood cells in response.
 
Eases Stress

Jumping into the shower without letting it heat up can help promote hardening, increasing tolerance to stress, and even disease.

Warning
individuals with serious or chronic diseases should not practice cold bathing. It should also not be undertaken during a woman's menstrual period, when pregnant, on an empty stomach, after drinking alcohol, after meals or during exercise.