Cold Water exposure - What the cold water hype is all about and why I love it

For most of us, the idea of taking a cold water dip doesn't sound too appealing and honestly it took a lot for me to take that very first icy swim a few weeks back but I promise you that once you overcome that initial dread of the cold it will leave you feeling greatly rejuvenated, energized , sexy fresh, badass and ready to take on the world. 

So why does it feel so great and what are the health benefits? 

Cold water exposure doesn't only make you feel great it also has some seriously amazing Health benefits such as boosting your immune system, supercharging your metabolism, enhancing your circulation, burning calories and reducing stress.

Sounds pretty good doesn't it?

Benefits of Cold water Exposure    

1. Immunity Boost 

Cold water aids in boosting the white blood cell count because the body is forced to react to changing conditions when exposed to the extreme cold hence over time your body becomes better at mobilising its defenses. 

2. Endorphin High 

Our brain produces endorphins in order to make us feel good about certain activities such as exercise. Endorphins also help us cope with physical pain. Since cold water swimming brings us

close to the physical pain barrier our brain releases endorphins in order to make us cope with potential pain hence we end up getting an endorphin high. 

3. Enhancing circulation

Cold water exposure flushes your veins, capillaries and arteries, forcing blood to the surface and 

pushing the cold downwards which helps warming your extremities. We slowly adapt to the cold as we have repeated exposure to it, helping us to cope better during harsh winters. Hence the cold seasons become less of a health risk and more enjoyable. 

4. Stress Reduction

Cold water exposure places mental and physical stress on your body, training your body and mind to become more resilient and react calmer when exposed to adversity.  

5.Supercharging your metabolism 

Our body consists of both brown and white fats. Studies indicate that back in the hunter gatherer days our body had a pretty balanced amount of white and brown fat but these days, most of us tend to have more white fat than brown fat. Cold water exposure activates the body's brown fat production. Brown fat is essential in keeping us warm and raises our body temperature burning through calories at a high rate, and eventually helping us shed extra weight. 

6. Burning Calories 

While swimming in cold water our heart must pump faster and our body has to work harder in keeping everything warm. Hence overall swimming in colder conditions will make us burn way more calories than swimming in hotter conditions. Cold water decreases your body temperature so much that your body has to act. 

I personally believe that these are some great reasons to take a dip in the cold. What a great way to give yourself a mood boost while stacking up on some amazing health benefits! 

Honestly I can’t even stress enough how great it feels.Some days I feel super sluggish and unmotivated but as soon as I take a dip in the cold I feel at my absolute best again. Also for those of you who don’t have a natural body of water or a pool to immerse yourself in, a cold shower should do the trick as well.

Happy Cold days xx