Cold Plunge Tub’s: Do’s & Dont’s

“Do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t do that”

Do you ever feel like you are getting pulled in 101 different directions when all you are trying to do is access simple information? Yes? Okay, good. That’s what I’m here to do. JOKE!

Cold plunge tubs and everything involved shouldn’t be complex. Follow me as I break down some dos and don’ts of this protocol without confusion.

What Is A Cold Plunge?

Immersing oneself in the depths of a cold plunge—whether it be an ice-filled bath or a dedicated cold plunge tub—might seem like a venture for thrill seekers or those mimicking the habits of polar bears.

Yet, this practice holds a shock factor that will send you back to the ice age, but a fair share of benefits accompanies it.

Including this in your holistic wellness regime will benefit the body, mind, and soul and should not be overlooked!

Do’s & Dont’s

1: Dive Deep, Start Shallow:

Ease into it! When beginning your ice bath journey, there is no need to start as a complete penguin and dive to the bottom. Do what what works for you.

2: Foucus, Focus, Fcocus

One of the main reasons I plunge is my ability to concentrate on a task for an extended period. The increased amount of Norephnenfirin paired with the slow release of dopamine is the perfect combo to access the flow state.

3: Chill Out Regularly:

Cold plunges should be incorporated into your overall health and wellness regime. Doing them regularly will assist you in building up tolerance (and love, in my case) for these icy expeditions.

4: Keep Calm and Plunge On:

Breathe, Breathe, Breathe. This will help you maintain your composure during the plunge while simultaneously feeding into your meditating regime (if you have one).

5: Warm Up, Don’t Rush:

Andrew Huberman & Kim Hoffman suggest “air drying” afterwards. This helps kick-start your metabolic body response! It’s not fun, but you will thank yourself later.

6: Stay Hydrated, Not Iced:

Drink plenty of fluids before taking the plunge. You’re not a plant, but hydration can help regulate your temperature.

7: Listen to the Wisdom of Your Body:

If something feels off, it probably is. It’s your body and mind in there, and both work well together, so listen up and get out if needs be.

8: Dress for Success (or don’t dress at all!) :

I wear my birthday suit into my plunge daily, so I don’t need to dry out my wet shorts every day. It’s simple. As.

9: Cold Therapy, Warm Heart:

Remember, this is about wellness, not an audition for the next ice age. If you are not finding benefits, then change it up.

10: Safety in Numbers:

For my first plunge, I had a family member stand near me, so I didn’t turn into an ice cube or something worse. Luckily, I was fine, and I haven’t looked back.!

11: Know Your Limits:

Like cookies, cold plunges are best enjoyed in moderation; doing 2/3 a day is unnecessary. Andrew Huberman suggests11 minutes a week, depending on your goals.

12: Embrace the Cold, fortify your mind.

By repeatedly exposing yourself to such cold temperatures, you are increasing your ability to face challenging experiences. Push yourself and watch the benefits ripple into the rest of your life.

13: Seek Professional Wisdom:

Consulting with a healthcare specialist is always a good practice, especially for those with medical conditions. Get on it.

14: The Science of Recovery:

Incorporate the plunge into your recovery regime. This is a secret weapon to various ailments one may get by regularly training.

15: Mind Over Matter

Beat your demons; your brain will tell you to return to bed. Say no to reap the rewards!

There’s No Trophy for Hypothermia:

I know this might be clear at this point, but getting hypothermia is not something you want to feature in your wellness programme. Some could argue that it is entirely counterproductive. I would be one of these people.

If you can follow only a handful of the above dos and don’ts, you may be able to avoid a traumatic experience.

Best practices are essential when using such protocols as ice plunges and saunas, so do your homework before you start.

Conclusion

So there you have it; I hope you didn’t feel I was dragging you in different directions and more trying to guide you away from bringing home the hypothermia trophy. Implementing cold plunges has been transformational in my life; it has allowed me to focus more on my work, recover faster from working out, and tell all my friends that I ice bathe all the time. Lol.

Use these dos & don’ts where possible so you can enjoy your ice expeditions knowing you are safe!