I did it! my very first cold water plunge in freezing waters, and I didn’t do it once but twice! Outdoors, in a frozen pond filled with natural spring water and while snowing. 💪🏼
(Watch Video Below) if you want to have a good laugh;-)
Something I never thought I would ever do, well at least not in this lifetime. Yes, I have done a lot of crazy things in my life, and I'm for sure not afraid to try new adventurous experiences, specially if "Health & Fun" are involved.
Yes. I have heard many times about the incredible healing benefits of Cryotherapy, actually one of my very good friends Dr. Greg Emerson is always sharing how good this is and why I should do it .
He does this literally all the time, I always tell him that he is my Hero and Inspiration but that there is NO way I will ever see myself doing that, because I hate cold and specially freezing temperatures.
On January 6 ( Dia De Los Reyes Magos) we invited a couple friends for a yoga class followed by a sauna.
This is the beautiful outdoor sauna my sister built in the woods, right next to a huge pond that gets filled naturally, with water flowing from the spring coming from the hills.
One thing I love about being here during winter time, is taking saunas in the cedar wood sauna outdoors, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
Sometimes we take saunas during the day, but we mostly enjoy them at night.
This way, we can gaze at the beautiful dark sky, filled with millions of bright stars. You never see skies this magnificent in the big cities—it’s something special about the countryside. It’s so peaceful, so beautiful, and truly healing!
Our friend and yoga teacher Tegan came to the sauna on this day, she has been doing cold water plunges also know as Cyrotherapy for awhile now, so she suggested we do a cold water plunge and jump into the freezing waters.
The water was absolutely freezing cold, how cold you may ask? Well we were at 14 degrees during the day and at single digits during the night, and the weather app as you can see, said with the windchill it felt like -7 degrees outdoors, so imagine how cold the water was!!
The Farm pond was frozen and we had to break the ice layer in order to get in.
Getting into the freezing water is insane because the cold temperatures takes over your body, making your brain initially freak out, wanting to run away.
But I did it anyway, I thought about my good friend Dr. Greg who’s my hero on this, as he is totally a pro and literally do this all the time! I have been seeing him doing it for years while thinking, that I will never do that myself because I hate cold 🥶
My friend Tegan was the final motivational coach for me on this day, her energy was intoxicating and well, she pulled me into the water too as you can see in the video. 😂
The sock you initially experience is just crazy! But you feel such an energy rush and the adrenaline!! My goodness! You have to move in the water or your extremities will literally freeze, so we jumped, screamed, danced, and most of all laughed a lot.
We got out the water and right went into the sauna again and right before sunset? We did it again!! 🤯 and with even less clothes this time around 🤪
Overall the experience was AWESOME! and if you ask me, will you do it again? the answer would be yes, Absolutely!
Was there any moment that felt painful or even scary? For me the worst part I must say was getting out of the water, the pain I felt in my body specially hands and feet (joints) was unbearable, but it lasted no more than 5 minutes even tho it felt like an eternity, while trying to bring your body temperature back to normal. Thank God the Sauna was next to the pond!
Now thinking about it, I must tell you that I feel super proud of myself because I see people do this all the time and I’m like… yeah, that will never be me. But I did it!!! 🙌🏻 and boy did it felt good!! 🤩
WHAT IS CRYOTHERAPY AND WHY I RECOMMEND IT
Cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy, is a treatment method that involves exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures for therapeutic purposes. It can be localized to a specific area or applied to the whole body. The aim of cryotherapy is to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing in tissues.
Benefits of Cryotherapy:
Cryotherapy offers a variety of potential benefits for both localized and whole-body applications. Below is an in-depth explanation of its benefits across different domains:
1. Pain Relief and Muscle Recovery
Reduction in Inflammation: Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels (vasoconstriction), reducing blood flow to inflamed areas, which helps decrease swelling and pain. Once the body warms up again, vasodilation occurs, improving circulation and aiding healing.
Muscle Soreness: Athletes often use cryotherapy post-exercise to reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and improve recovery times.
Joint and Soft Tissue Healing: Helps in managing sprains, strains, and tendonitis by reducing swelling and accelerating the healing process.
Chronic Pain Conditions: Conditions like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis may benefit from cryotherapy’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
2. Improved Blood Circulation
Enhanced Oxygen Delivery: The rapid cooling during whole-body cryotherapy leads to blood pooling in the core. Upon rewarming, oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood is flushed back to peripheral tissues, promoting recovery and healing.
Cardiovascular Health: Cryotherapy may stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, supporting heart health and reducing resting heart rate over time.
3. Skin and Beauty Benefits
Anti-Aging Effects: The cold triggers collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and scars.
Treatment of Skin Conditions: Cryotherapy is sometimes used to manage eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Cryolipolysis (Fat Reduction): A specific form of cryotherapy is used to target fat cells, freezing them without damaging surrounding tissues. This is commonly marketed as “cool sculpting.”
4. Mental Health and Neurological Benefits
Mood Enhancement: Cryotherapy stimulates the release of endorphins (the body’s “feel-good” hormones), which can reduce stress and improve mood.
Anxiety and Depression: Some studies suggest that regular cryotherapy sessions can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Cognitive Function: The cold may improve focus and clarity by boosting blood flow to the brain.
5. Enhanced Immune System Function
Stimulation of the Immune System: Exposure to cold temperatures can temporarily increase white blood cell count, which may enhance the body’s ability to fight infections.
Hormonal Balance: Cryotherapy can stimulate the release of adrenaline, cortisol, and other hormones, helping to regulate immune responses.
6. Athletic Performance
Enhanced Recovery: Athletes often use cryotherapy to recover faster after intense workouts or competitions by reducing inflammation and muscle fatigue.
Prevention of Injury: Regular cryotherapy sessions may help reduce the risk of injuries by maintaining healthy joints and reducing inflammation in overused muscles.
7. Chronic Condition Management
Arthritis and Joint Pain: Whole-body cryotherapy can reduce pain and stiffness in individuals with arthritis, making it easier to engage in physical therapy or daily activities.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Some MS patients report improved mobility and reduced spasticity after cryotherapy sessions.
Neuropathy: Cryotherapy can temporarily numb nerves, providing relief from conditions involving chronic nerve pain.
8. Metabolic and Weight Management
Increased Caloric Burn: Cryotherapy may slightly boost metabolism as the body works to maintain its core temperature during and after the cold exposure. A single session can burn up to 500-800 calories.
Regulation of Hormones: The cold triggers the release of norepinephrine, which can influence fat metabolism and appetite regulation.
9. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Effects
Reduced Systemic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Cryotherapy may help regulate inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.
Oxidative Stress Management: Cold exposure can stimulate the production of antioxidant enzymes, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative damage.
10. Cancer and Medical Applications (Emerging Research)
Cancer Therapy: Cryotherapy is used in medical procedures to freeze and destroy certain types of tumors, such as prostate and liver cancer (cryosurgery).
Autoimmune Conditions: Emerging evidence suggests cryotherapy may benefit conditions like lupus and Crohn’s disease by reducing inflammatory responses.
Conclusion
Cryotherapy offers a multi-faceted approach to health, wellness, and recovery. Its benefits are especially pronounced for inflammation, pain relief, and muscle recovery. However, the results can vary depending on the individual, the condition being treated, and the frequency of sessions. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting cryotherapy, especially if you have underlying medical conditions.
Hope you enjoyed this blog post and found the information interesting and I specially hope you had a good laugh while watching the video. I forgot to feel embarrassed because I was having too much fun. lol
In Light, Love & Natural Healing
Ana Satya
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