Ice Baths: Things To Consider Before Taking The Plunge
Ice baths have become all the rage lately. For celebrities, athletes and even the average Joe. And rightfully so, since they have many health benefits, providing that they are used properly.
But before you decide that an ice bath is right for you, there are a few things to consider. Especially if you live in a dry climate like Las Vegas.
Baths Take A Lot More Water Than Showers
For those of us in Las Vegas, we know that the water conservation struggle is real. With Lake Mead dropping more and more every year, residents are constantly being encouraged to save water where they can.
Laws will get stricter too when it comes to planting grass in our yards. With Las Vegas being one of the fastest growing cities in America, we have to think ahead.
We’re already seeing harsher punishments for violating water waste laws with our sprinklers. That’s not to say that we’ll get fined for taking baths every day, obviously.
It’s just something to think about before you jump on the ice bath trend. Is it really worth the extra gallons of water you’ll use?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a full bath in a standard tub requires about 70 gallons of water. Taking a five-minute shower, on the other hand, only uses 10 to 25 gallons of water.
And considering ice baths are not a means of actually cleansing the body, you’ll eventually have to also jump into a shower anyway. That is a lot of water down the drain, literally.
The Benefits Of Cold Showers Vs. Ice Baths
Chrome bath tap and water flowing from shower head. Cold showers have shown to have some of the same benefits as an ice bath.
One option that could save water and still give us some of the benefits of an ice bath is a cold shower. Some health professionals have argued that a cold shower can’t match the deeper benefits of a plunge in an ice bath.
But UCLA Health states that cryotherapy in the form of a cold shower can reduce symptoms of depression, boost immunity to the common cold, improve circulation, increase metabolism, reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
On the other hand, health.com suggests that an ice bath has the same benefits. With the added benefit of hydrostatic pressure from immersion in the ice bath.
According the website, hydrostatic pressure provides more oxygen and nutrients to your major organs than exposure to the cold water alone. In that respect, there is an extra benefit to an ice bath over a cold shower.
But there may also be extra risks. Including cold-induced rash, increased breathing, higher heart rate and higher blood pressure. More extreme risks of ice baths include frostbite, hypothermia, and nerve damage.
How An Ice Bath Affects The Body
If you are considering a cold plunge, this video shows what happens to the body during the process. It explains what to expect, what benefits you can’t get from a old shower, and safety precautions specifically with the ice bath.
The video also explains that you can get some of the same cryotherapy benefits of an ice bath by simply dunking your hands in ice water.
Health Risks And Water Waste
For professional athletes who need cold water immersion therapy for muscle building and repair, ice baths make sense. For the rest of us, cold showers or hand-dunking should be able to suffice. Especially considering the extra risks that can come from ice baths.
And for Las Vegas residents, specifically, if we’re just looking for the benefits that we can get from either form of cryotherapy, why waste the water?
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION: If you are considering either a bath or shower form of cryotherapy, please talk to your doctor first. There are increased risks with either especially for people with hives, heart or lung conditions, or Raynaud’s syndrome (health.com).
But even for those without known health issues, everyone should tell their healthcare provider that they are considering either of these options before trying them out.
Want more from this author? Check out her home page.
