I’ve always been one of those people who “runs cold.” I need a space heater in the office; I like to be warm and cozy by the fire; I like to swim, but only in warm Hawaiian or Floridian beaches; I’m asking to turn the heat up while my housemates are asking to turn it down. But recently I discovered that getting cold, on purpose, as often as possible has helped my body stay warmer. Weird, right?! And that’s not the only benefit I’ve noticed. At home, after taking a super hot bath, I’ll do a cold rinse, then do one more dunk in the warm. My sleep is improved dramatically when I do this night routine. Cold therapy is now an important part to my total health and wellness protocol.
Getting cold is trendy in the wellness communities. Wim Hoff and his cold plunging combined with breath work is all the rage. Cryotherapy centers and ice baths are popping up at quick-stop-spas in cities all over.
The best part? There’s real science behind it. Athletes have been using cold therapy for inflammation for decades, and people of various cultures have been doing some sort of cold plunging for centuries. Now, studies are showing cold therapies can be an effective tool to address symptoms of anxiety and depression as well.
Below you’ll see a video tour of Reboot Float Spa in Oakland, California. I love to do their circut: cryo, sauna, float. Yes, getting hot hot hot has its benefits too, we’ll talk about that next time!
Cold therapy is also nice for the skin. Maybe you’ve just had a tweakment, or maybe you’ve been out in the sun too long. Perhaps a few too many drinks? I love using my jade stone mask that’s been in the fridge! This depuffing roller by Pillowtalk Derm provides an innovative tool with powerhouse ingredients like arnica and centella asiatica. I can’t wait to try it after getting a filler touch-up!
