“Polar Plunge” Secret DEFIES Aging
I’ve been accused of having a picture in my attic.
After all, people figure my ability to stay so youthful DESPITE my age must involve some kind of magic.
But I assure you it doesn’t
The truth is I’m committed to a number of regular practices… from exposing myself to plenty of sunlight to intermittent fasting… that work TOGETHER to rejuvenate my cells, supercharge my cellular energy, and optimize my circadian rhythm.
But there’s ONE regular habit I refuse to miss that gets a lot of credit for my ability to defy the calendar. It boosts circulation, drives down stress, slashes pain, and more.
And it can work for you TOO.
Most folks avoid a cold shower at all costs. Before stepping under the water, they let it run until the bathroom is nice and steamy.
But that could be a mistake. Because you could be missing out on a massive immune system boost.
Immersing yourself in cold water for health purposes is nothing new. It’s an ancient healing remedy. But these days, they call it hydrotherapy.
And, as a regular participant in the “polar plunge,” I can confirm that it’s not the most comfortable thing you’ll ever do. But it will be one of the most REWARDING and EFFECTIVE.
In one study, taking a daily 30-second cold shower for a month was linked to a 29 percent plunge in illnesses.
Experts theorize that immersing yourself in cold water boosts the immune system. And there’s no question it “juices up” your cardiovascular system at the same time.
In fact, hydrotherapy is like a mini workout. It briefly boosts your heart rate and blood pressure and improves circulation in your deeper tissues.
The cold water causes your blood vessels to constrict. Then, when you step out of the water, your body works hard to warm itself back up. This process increases your body’s blood flow.
In addition, hydrotherapy has been found to do the following:
- Reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels.
- Eases pain by triggering stress-induced analgesia, which occurs when your body suppresses its pain response in reaction to a stressful stimulus.
- Cuts back on muscle soreness and fatigue.
- Numbs pain.
I’m lucky enough to have natural cold spring pools near my home here in Arizona. So I take a dip in their chilly waters as often as possible.
But I realize most folks won’t have access to such amenities. So you can get many of the same cold-water benefits by taking a brief and invigorating cold shower.
Just one word of caution. If you have heart disease, hypertension, or any vascular issues (such as many diabetic folks will have), cold water can potentially carry some risks.
So to be on the safe, check with your doctor BEFORE you take the plunge.
P.S. I shared the details on another kind of cold therapy that could ELIMINATE pain. CLICK HERE to discover all the exciting details.
SOURCE:
“The Effect of Cold Showering on Health and Work: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” PLoS One. 2016 Sep 15;11(9):e0161749. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161749. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2018 Aug 2;13(8):e0201978. PMID: 27631616; PMCID: PMC5025014.
