Find out why chilling out — literally — does wonders for you.
From sleek spas to endless Instagram reels, cold-plunge tubs are everywhere these days. But are they more than just another wellness fad?
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The late Dr Michael Mosley, BBC presenter and health journalist, set out to find the answer. Known for putting his own body on the line in the name of science, Mosley explored the power of cold exposure in his series Just One Thing. His conclusion? Exposure to chilly water — whether it’s a dip in icy water or even a quick cold shower — can offer some surprising benefits for both mind and body.
1) Cold Showers Boost Mental Health and Resilience
While it’s not for everyone — check with your doctor if you have any cardiovascular issues before immersing yourself in cold water — the science is there: just five minutes in a cold bath has been shown to vastly improve alertness and attentiveness. Brain scans even suggest changes in the regions that control emotion.
One study found that after only eight sessions of cold-water swimming, participants reported an 80% improvement in anxiety. Don’t have access to a lake or tub? No problem. Just 30 seconds under a cold shower each day can help train your body to handle stress better — and leave you buzzing with energy.
2) Strengthens Immunity and Reduces Sick Days
Cold showers don’t just sharpen your mind; they strengthen your immune system, too. In a study of 3,000 participants who took 30-second cold showers, they reported coming in with 29% fewer sick days. The best part? Staying in it longer doesn’t add extra benefits, so you can keep it short and sweet.
This immersion in cold water helps train the immune system to respond more effectively to shock and stress, which in turn means you’ll have fewer coughs and colds.
Just remember: stick to your body and skip the head. Splashing icy water on your face can trigger the ‘diving reflex’, which slows your heart rate — not ideal if you have health concerns.
3) Protects the Body and Brain
Beyond increasing your immunity to the common cold, cold-plunging and cold showers also reduce inflammation in the body, and activate ‘cold shock’ proteins that protect brain health. It may even possibly reverse damage in Alzheimer’s in the future, though more studies need to be done if we want to move the research towards curing it.
And then there’s the post-plunge high: dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins flood your system after the initial shock, leaving you feeling euphoric and resilient. Over time, your body adapts, making you more resistant to stress in daily life, too.
Conclusion
Like Dr Mosley, why not take the plunge? Start with 30 seconds of cold showers a day. It’s a simple tweak to your routine with plenty of upside: sharper focus, fewer sick days, a happier brain, and a body that’s just a little more resilient.
Michael Mosley reveals how small changes can have a big impact on your wellbeing.
View DetailsImages: Unsplash(Lukas Kubica, Ameer Basheer, Helena Lopes, Madison Lavern)