90:: Is cold plunging for the girls? (The science behind cold therapy for women!)

Cold plunges are everywhere—but the advice most women are following was never designed for female physiology. In this episode, we break down why women’s bodies respond completely differently to cold exposure than men’s, why colder is not better, and the one temperature range that actually works best for women.We explore how the menstrual cycle changes cold tolerance, why those shifts are protective rather than weak, and when cold exposure can support recovery, metabolism, and stress resilience—and when it backfires by increasing cortisol, disrupting hormones, and blunting muscle growth. Drawing from female-specific research and the work of Dr. Stacy Sims, we explain how extreme cold pushes women out of hormetic stress and into chronic stress, especially when sleep, fueling, or recovery aren’t dialed in.You’ll leave with a practical, non-biohacky cold exposure protocol that respects your cycle, your nervous system, and your long-term health—plus the most common mistakes women make with cold plunging and how to avoid them.Episode with Dr. Felice Chan:https://wellness-big-sis-the-pod.captivate.fm/episode/dr-felice-chan/loving the pod? click the follow button, & we'd love if you could leave a review! thank you x 1000 :)sign up for the free Smart Girl Newspaper!Want a peak into what it is like building this business, the podcast interviews, and all things female founder BTS? sign up for the free Firstborn Daughter Diaryinsta:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispodyoutube:: @dr.kelsyvickdpttiktok:: @dr.kelsyvickdpt & @wellnessbigsispodsign up for our patreon for exclusive content & workouts!00:00- 00:17 Intro00:18- 00:45 Introduction to Cold Therapy for Women00:46- 01:47 Foundations of Health and Wellness01:48- 03:47 Differences in Cold Exposure: Men vs. Women04:58- 10:07 Physiological Responses to Cold in Women10:08- 12:30 Optimal Cold Exposure Protocols for Women12:31- 15:03 Common Mistakes and Myths in Cold Therapy15:04- 17:07 Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective17:08- 18:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes