Although ice baths are very common among people who do not play professional sports, the Cold Plunge is still most often associated with sports. Athletes are the ones who sometimes speak publicly about it, and on social networks, they often post photos of themselves up to their chest or neck in water, surrounded by ice.
It's not hard to see why they do this, given that one of the potential effects is better recovery from hard training. Alleviating short-term and long-term pain is another positive "side effect," in addition to strengthening the body and improving circulation and mood, as mentioned earlier.
Ice therapy, like any other therapy, is not a universal method suitable for everyone. Tolerance thresholds are different, the results and benefits, although positive on average, are individual, and the responsibility lies with the person who decides to practice an ice bath.
For most, it all starts with an experiment. But it is safest to consult an expert, because, as I already mentioned, it is all individual. As for gradually adjusting to the cold, it's simpler to slowly add cold water to a stream of hot water while showering. However, a cold shower or semi-cold water in the bathroom is a safer option than immediately jumping into a frozen lake or a tub full of ice.
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