Study: Should You Take The Cold Plunge?

Could dunking your face in cold water in the morning really be good for you? Research from the University of Ottawa found that cold plunges can actually help your body shift from “emergency mode” to focusing on repair. Researchers asked 10 young men to submerge themselves in 57-degree water for an hour for one week, and found that cells “rewired” their responses in this short amount of time. “Cold exposure might help prevent diseases and potentially even slow down aging at a cellular level,” study author Kelli King said. The good news? A freezing ice bath is not necessary for cells to shift into “repair and protect” mode. Gradually exposing oneself to cold water, through swimming, showers, or other methods, could trigger these positive adaptations. (Study Finds)