If you’ve been searching for the “dos and don’ts” of taking an ice bath, look no further because we’ve got you covered! This blog will save you the hassle of discovering what to do, and what not to do before you take the plunge.
If you’re a seasoned vet looking for ways to enhance your experience, this blog may also help. We will cover 6 dos and don’ts of how to take an ice bath, and a couple of tips and tricks to enhance your cold water therapy experience.
Whether you’re an athlete after a training session and using one of our COLDTUB™s, or you’re using cold water therapy at home (insert link to blog on how to use an ice bath at home – if posted before this blog), here are 3 things you should do when taking an ice bath, and 3 things you should not do:
Do
Recognize your own personal threshold – We understand that everyone is different, and as such, so is your cold water therapy experience! Gauge your own personal comfort level when immersing yourself into the cold water. If you tend to get a chill easy, ensure you stay within the warmer ranges of the recommended temperature (between 50-59F). Hot tip: Invest in booties to keep your toes warmer as they tend to be the most sensitive part of a person’s body!
Bring a buddy – Who wants to experience plunging into icy cold temperatures while shrieking alone? Not me. If you do that’s cool, however many athletes say taking the plunge with a teammate is best, as it tends to bring the team closer together!
Get in as soon as possible – Don’t wait too long after a competition or workout to get your ice-cold exposure! If you wait too long after a workout (an hour or more) as some of
the healing processes have already started.
Don’t
Push yourself too far – The recommended exposure time is 5-15 minutes and exceeding the maximum amount of 15 minutes may
induce hypothermia.
Warm up too quick – Jumping into a hot bath or shower immediately afterward may shock your system; having a warm towel or clothing nearby is the safest way to warm up after your ice-cold therapy session.
Give up to soon – Though at first your ice bath experience may feel shocking if you’re a newcomer, be persistent! Keep taking the plunge as there are many benefits and you’ll soon find that you look forward to the adrenaline rush and appreciate the decrease in muscle recovery time.
Now that you’ve uncovered 6 dos and don’ts when it comes to taking an ice bath, we hope that this blog has helped you on your cold water therapy journey. There are numerous benefits to taking an ice bath and making sure you do it the right way is imperative. If your thirst for knowledge hasn’t ended here, contact one of our COLDTUB™ experts today, and they are more than happy to answer any questions you may have! Happy plunging!