Cold-water immersion — such as sitting in an ice bath, wading into a lake in the winter, or taking a cold shower — has become increasingly popular in recent years. But is there any benefit to these bone-chilling practices?
New research suggests yes, with possible benefits ranging from lower stress to improved sleep and quality of life.
However, researchers caution that some of the benefits are short-term and depend on who is performing the cold therapy and what method they are using.
“Cold-water immersion has been extensively researched and used in sporting contexts to help athletes recover, but despite its growing popularity among health and wellbeing circles, little is known about its effects on the general population,” said study author Tara Cain, a researcher at University of South Australia (UniSA), in a press statement.
