In this viral trend on social media, different celebrities are seen enjoying snow at different places. Viral Trend: If you are thinking of trying ice bath, then first know some important things related to it.
Ice bath is trending a lot. Actors and actresses from Hollywood to Bollywood are trying it, and sharing their experiences on social media. Did you know that immersing yourself in a tub of ice is not just a hobby activity, but it can be beneficial for your physical and mental health. If you were not aware of this then let us tell you that it is actually beneficial for you.
What is Ice Bath Viral Trend?
In this viral trend on social media, different celebrities are seen enjoying snow at different places. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is a great football player, recently posted a post on his Instagram in which he was seen taking an ice dip in -2 degrees Celsius. Apart from this, Vidya Malvade, who came into limelight with Mismatch, also took the Ice Bath Challenge. He spent full 8 minutes in ice bath. Neha Sharma also completed the 3.5 minute ice bath challenge. Some time ago, Vidyut Jammwal had posted his post completing the Ice Bath Challenge in the snowy mountains of the Himalayas.
But still, it is advised to take some precautions before trying it, because sometimes its side effects can also be seen. Also, it is very important to keep some things in mind before trying them. We will tell you the benefits of this virus trade and also know some other special things related to it.
What is an ice bath?
According to Dr. Tushar Tayal, Internal Medicine Specialist, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, ice bath, which is also called immersion in cold water. This is a therapy that involves immersing the body in water that is much cooler than body temperature, usually water between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to extreme cold causes several physiological responses, including lowering muscle temperature, reducing inflammation, and increasing blood flow to the heart and brain.
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What are the benefits of taking ice bath for health?
1. Provide relief from pain
Icing causes blood vessels to narrow, which helps reduce pain and swelling after an injury. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, when cold water (ice bath) hits cold receptors on your skin, it sends electrical impulses to the brain, which have a pain-reducing effect.
Like applying ice, ice bath also narrows the blood vessels. As a result, they also have similar effects on pain. When you get out of the ice bath, there is increased blood circulation to your tissues and muscles which can help reduce pain and swelling.
2. Boost immunity
Taking ice bath also helps in increasing immunity. In a small study, people were exposed to the bacteria to see how their immune systems would respond. Participants who took a dip in cold water, took deep breaths and meditated had fewer symptoms of bacterial infection than those who did not do so.
It is difficult to conclude how effective cold water immersion is for your immune system, but it does harden your body against diseases and infections.
3. Improves mental health
Taking a dip in ice water can be beneficial for your mental health. Taking an ice bath for 20 minutes every day can improve the quality of life of people with gout, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. Study participants had improved joint mobility and reduced stress, anxiety and depression after 4 weeks.
Scientists believe that exposure to cold water triggers a stress response, and the nervous system becomes activated. These changes help improve your mood, and reduce stress over time.
4. Increase blood circulation
Taking shower in cold water increases blood circulation in the body. A better blood flow helps in adequate oxygen and nutrients reaching all the body parts. Which helps in building a healthy body.
5. Increase metabolism
By taking a shower in ice water, your body increases its energy power, so that the body can be warmed up. In this way extra calories are burnt from your body and metabolism increases. But this does not mean that you should only take ice bath to increase metabolism, continue your regular eating and physical activities.
Ice bath may have some common side effects
- Although ice bath is beneficial, in some cases it can leave side effects on your body.
- Prolonged exposure to cold water can cause hypothermia, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the body temperature suddenly drops.
- Sudden immersion in cold water can cause a cold shock reaction, characterized by a rapid increase in breathing and heart rate, potentially stressing the cardiovascular system.
- People with heart disease or high blood pressure may experience adverse reactions to the sudden drop in temperature, potentially causing heart beats to skip or even cardiac arrest.
- Cold water can irritate the skin, potentially causing rashes or other skin problems.
Here are some tips for taking an ice bath successfully and safely (3 steps for safe Ice bath)
1. Practice with a cold shower:
Start with a cool shower, slightly above 50 to 59 degrees. Keep repeating this until you have used the coldest setting. In this way, the body temperature will not increase suddenly after bathing in ice water.
2. Don’t submerge for 15 minutes at a time:
Start with 2 to 5 minutes, and gradually increase your time in the ice bath. Over several weeks, increase to 10 minutes and eventually 15 minutes. Sitting in ice water for a long time can make you sick.
3. Dip the body parts slowly:
Start with an ice bath with only your feet submerged. Over time, increase the body parts submerged—for example, down to the waist, chest, and neck.
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