A relaxing hot bath with candles and your favourite music playing is definitely good for the soul. But have you ever thought about turning the tap the other way?

Whether you’re looking to speed up your recovery, calm your thoughts or improve your endurance, ice cold plunges are a sure-fire way to sooth your mind and body. 

Similar to the benefits of putting ice on an injury, ice baths help to ease the muscle soreness experienced after an intense workout. After all, this soreness is a result of tears in your muscle fibres which in effect are tiny injuries. By subjecting the body to lower temperatures, your blood vessels become constricted, meaning less swelling and a quicker recovery time.

Alongside the physical effects, ice baths can help calm intense psychological feelings. From anxiety to depression, cold water therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for a number of conditions by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. After the initial shock there is also a release of endorphins – hormones that act as natural pain killers – leaving you with an elevated mood.