Ice bath
Those who cannot understand how to put their thoughts on ice should not enter into the heat of debate. ―Nietzsche
👥 Serves: 1 person, 2-10 people
🎚 Difficulty: Easy
⏳ Total time: Half a day
🥣 Ingredients: Ice bath, Ice
🤓 Wholebeing Domains: Rest, Ritualising
💪 Wholebeing Skills: Embodiment, Relaxation
Ice bath
📝 Description
Stimulating blood flow through ice baths.
Many athletes use ice baths to help recover after a competition. The general theory behind this cold therapy is that the exposure to cold helps to combat the microtrauma (small tears) in muscle fibres and resultant soreness caused by intense or repetitive exercise.
The ice bath is thought to constrict blood vessels, flush waste products and reduce swelling and tissue breakdown. Subsequently, as the tissue warms and the increased blood flow speeds circulation, the healing process is jump-started.
Tips courtesy of active.com
👣 Steps
Step 1
Recognise that each individual will have their own cold threshold. Play within your personal comfort zone, and consider investing in booties (toe warmers made of wetsuit material) as your toes are likely the most sensitive body part to be submerged.
Step 2
Be aware that moving water is colder water. Much like the wind chill created when you ride, if there are jets in your ice bath and the water that is warmed at the skin’s surface gets pushed away, the resulting impact of the water will be cooler than measured by the thermometer.
Step 3
Seek to simplify. Building a personal ice bath daily can be a daunting task. Look for a gym that has a cold plunge, or if you live close to a river, lake or the ocean, keep tabs on the current water temperature.