Chilly dips have soared in popularity, making their way into the beauty routines of most major celebrities. Here, we break down the benefits of the Wim Hof method and why you should try an icy plunge yourself
When September sets in and summer comes to an end, the harrowing realization that winter is fast approaching affects the best of us. Dark skies and heavy clouds, the sun setting in the afternoon and lazily rising mid-morning, a bitter chill biting into our very bones – The winter blues seems unavoidable. Alas, there's a solution to chase our seasonal sadness away: Ice baths.
To face the cold of the coming months, we turn to this generation-spanning practice which boosts endorphins and boasts health benefits en masse. First emerging as a Scandinavian staple in the 19th century, the ice bath has seen a nordic renaissance. More than just a healthy habit, cold water swimming is now an institution, with celebrities, family, and friends alike embracing regular polar plunges.
But what is it about a mid-winter trip to the seaside that is so enticing? According to practitioners, the communal aspect of cold-water bathing is a big draw. It has become a popular team-building activity where groups gather in saunas, practice breathing techniques, take the plunge, and cheer each other on in a strive for social synergy. Though science is scarce, it seems as if cold water swimming not only heightens happiness but fosters a sense of community.
But what are the actual benefits of ice baths, and how do you safely go for a cold water swim?
What are the benefits of an ice bath?
Skepticism is part of the territory when it comes to the health and beauty benefits of ice baths. Although there’s a lack of clinical research, the anecdotal evidence of people achieving an instant glacial glow is overwhelming.
As someone who reluctantly and rarely finishes my showers with a splash of cold water, taking the leap to willingly submerge myself in ice feels like an insurmountable task of gargantuan proportions. But, when supermodels like Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, and Romee Strijd all take the plunge due to its alleged beauty benefits, I consider myself convinced to try it. A frosty dip in nature is said to increase skin and hair quality by constricting blood vessels, which temporarily tightens pores and reduces redness and inflammation.
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