A chilling way to improve your performance
Website design By BotEap.comWhen a man gets too excited, we tell him to take a cold shower to cool off. Interestingly, if he followed that advice, he would get more energy from the experience, including more testosterone. You can temporarily calm him down, but you will make him stronger for the next time. All over the world, people have used cold baths or showers as therapy for a wide range of ailments. In the 1800s, ice bath treatments were medically prescribed to patients as hydrotherapy to cure everything from broken bones to psychological disorders.
Website design By BotEap.comWhile hydrotherapy has largely been superseded by pharmaceuticals in Western countries, the practice of icy water immersion continues. People in northern climates go from the sauna to jumping into a snowdrift to invigorate their bodies. Annual clubs of polar bears plunge into frozen lakes each year. Athletes are increasingly turning to this method to help speed up recovery time after the heavy physical stress of competition.
Website design By BotEap.comAs the body senses cold water, it responds with a survival response designed to protect vital organs. Blood vessels near the surface of the skin close and blood flow is directed internally to keep the core of the body warm. When the body re-emerges from this cold environment, the blood rushes back into all the small blood vessels. The effect is to help eliminate cell damage caused by physical exercise and keep inflammation in check. Athletes recover faster from exercise and show greater endurance if they take an ice bath between training routines.
Website design By BotEap.comThis process also appears to produce a variety of other positive benefits for the body. As the body warms up after the cold experience, it releases antibodies as part of the recovery process. This stimulates the immune system and helps protect the body from inflammation and other diseases. To add more power to men in this stage of recovery, the body releases testosterone, so all those brave souls who brag about their masculinity after jumping into an icy shower or a pile of snow after a sauna can be in the truth. If the man has fatherly desires, he will be interested to know that cold baths can dramatically increase sperm count. Could this be a case of cold beats the pill?
Website design By BotEap.comThe recovery process also triggers the body to access fat stores, known as brown fat, which can speed up weight loss. Cold water treatments close the skin’s pores and hair follicles, which helps prevent the skin from drying out as quickly as a hot shower would. The result is skin that looks like thinner, shinier hair. The invigorating aspect of a cold bath stimulates almost every part of the body, including the brain. As the body races to recover from the effects of ice water, it sends signals to the brain that improve mood and may be a tool to help fight depression.
Website design By BotEap.comThe amount of time you spend in a cold shower or bath is up to you and depends on the temperature of the water. Fifty degree water will feel cold and you may be able to tolerate it for ten to fifteen minutes. A thirty-nine degree shower will feel even colder and you may find that three or four minutes is all you can tolerate. This isn’t just an instant dip in and out of icy water. Stay in the cold water for more than two minutes to stimulate the optimal recovery process.
Website design By BotEap.comA word of caution is warranted; If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, or suffer from any illness that causes a fever, we recommend that you avoid the added stress of cooling your body. If you are not sure, consult your doctor before trying this technique. If you are in the mood to do so, keep the water warm in the tank once a week and let the chills help improve your performance.