07-How Cold Water Can Help You Think More Clearly, Decrease Stress, and Improve Mental Resilience

Can you remember the last time you were really, really cold? I bet not, because it's the middle of summer. Unless you've voluntarily chosen to jump in the ocean or an ice bath recently, you've probably been staying relatively hot like the rest of us. Today, we'll dive in & explain evidence-based studies that show why voluntarily (yes, you're choosing to do this!) putting yourself in cold water is going to positively affect your immune function, focus, stress levels, and performance. We'll review some of the current research on the topic, and give you some practical ways of how and when it's best to implement cold water immersion so you can gain all of these amazing benefits. Don't miss this episode! References: Buijze, G. A., Sierevelt, I. N., van der Heijden, B. C., Dijkgraaf, M. G., & Frings-Dresen, M. H. (2016). The effect of cold showering on health and work: A randomized controlled trial. PloS one, 11(9), e0161749. Roberts, L. A., Raastad, T., Markworth, J. F., Figueiredo, V. C., Egner, I. M., Shield, A., ... & Peake, J. M. (2015). Post‐exercise cold water immersion attenuates acute anabolic signalling and long‐term adaptations in muscle to strength training. The Journal of physiology, 593(18), 4285-4301. Leppäluoto, J., Westerlund, T., Huttunen, P., Oksa, J., Smolander, J., Dugué, B., & Mikkelsson, M. (2008). Effects of long‐term whole‐body cold exposures on plasma concentrations of ACTH, beta‐endorphin, cortisol, catecholamines and cytokines in healthy females. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 68(2), 145-153. Lateef, F. (2010). Post exercise ice water immersion: Is it a form of active recovery?. Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock, 3(3), 302. Leppäluoto, J., Westerlund, T., Huttunen, P., Oksa, J., Smolander, J., Dugué, B., & Mikkelsson, M. (2008). Effects of long‐term whole‐body cold exposures on plasma concentrations of ACTH, beta‐endorphin, cortisol, catecholamines and cytokines in healthy females. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, 68(2), 145-153.