What’s the first thing you think of when you hear ‘ice baths’? We bet a good buck that many of you reading this first thought of is exercise or intense training. You would be correct of course. One of the main people who use ice baths are athletes and people who do intense workouts. But, taking an ice bath every now and again can be very helpful to anyone. What it means to take an ice bath is very self explanatory. You fill up a tub with cold water and ice and you get into it.
There are some rules and general information you should always keep in mind when attempting to take an ice bath if you haven’t done so before. There is such a thing as too cold (especially for your first time) and you really should not be in the tub of ice-cold water for too long, there is more to know but those two should always be mentioned.
Now let’s get into the signs that can tell you whether or not you could use an ice bath. Let us be clear, an ice bath won’t solve all of your problems, but it can sure help.
If you are feeling anxious
Ice baths are not as known to help relieve anxiousness as much as it is known to help in the world of athletes and training, but both are true. In all of us, we have a nerve called the vagus nerve. These nerves are what make up a large part of our parasympathetic nervous system. This system in our bodies maintains very specific bodily functions like our digestion, heart rate and immune system. When we are stressed and/or anxious, the vagus nerves release stress hormones in our bodies. But if we take an ice bath when we feel this way, the ice-cold water’s calming influence triggers the vagus nerve to reduce our stress levels and assist in reducing tension and anxiety.
If you do a lot of cardio exercises
We all know how important cardio exercises are. It’s in the name, those are the exercises that help our cardiovascular system. This system includes our heart, blood vessels, and blood (flow), and if we can strengthen or help that system function better then why wouldn’t you? However, aftercare for your cardiovascular system after cardio workouts is just as important, possibly even more. Not only does taking ice baths help your body recover from an intense cardio workout, but it also helps reduce any cardiac stress. Cardio does help strengthen the heart, but it does so by putting some stress on it. An ice bath can lessen the stress your heart takes after exercising by dropping your heart rate.
If your whole body aches
Doing exercises, especially after a while, can be incredibly tough on our muscles. A full body exercise will no doubt leave anyone a bit achy. When you have an ache or soreness, many people use ice packs to help alleviate that pain. Well, an ice bath works the same way, except for your entire body. Submerging yourself in ice cold water will help your body recover after any workout that leaves you in some pain. If it was leg day, you can also choose to submerge just your legs.
Wanna get an ice tub?
There are plenty of other signs that can show a need for an ice bath, so keep on researching or just do it already! As long as you stick to your limits regarding the temperature and don’t stay for too long, all an ice bath would bring is positive results after some moments of discomfort. If you are interested in an ice tub of your own, then keep an eye out for an ice bath for sale, because they can be a great cost.