One of the biggest benefits of cold baths is to prevent or treat heat strokes. With unprecedented high temperatures this summer, it’s important to be aware of overheating.
Exercising or working outdoors and a lack of air conditioning in your home can put you at increased risk.
Heat strokes can be life-threatening, and occur when the core body temperature is around 104°F (40°C) or higher.
Symptoms of overheating may include:
Immediate immersion in cold water should be the initial treatment for exertional heat stroke.
Research from 2010 indicates that immersion in cold water should be limited to about 9 minutes. However, keep in mind that the risks of hyperthermia far outweigh those that could result from over-cooling a hyperthermic person.
Make sure your water temperature stays above 50°F (10°C) to avoid body temperature swings.
People have long been curious about the health benefits of bathing in cold water.
The first research on cold-water immersion was done way back in 1790. Even before that, Hippocrates and Plato wrote in-depth on the effects of cold water on the body.
To date, studies have shown that swimming in cold water can lead to:
There’s no evidence to indicate that a cold bath alone offers the same benefits. Still, if you’ve ever dunked yourself in a cold pool or bathtub, you probably felt refreshed and energized when you did — once you got up the courage to get in, that is.
Chad Walding, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy, holistic health coach, and co-founder of NativePath, is a proponent of cold plunges and cold baths for his clients.
According to Walding, benefits of cold-water bathing include: