If you’re looking to kickstart your morning or need an afternoon pick-me-up, cold plunging is an incredible way to boost your daily energy. Not only is the icy water rejuvenating, but it also triggers the release of stress hormones that promote alertness.

Cold plunge benefits extend beyond the mental and chemical aspects of your body. Sports medicine has utilized cold water therapy for years to help with the active recovery of your muscles.

Being immersed in cold water stimulates leukocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off illnesses. It also causes the lymphatic system to contract, forcing fluid through the lymph nodes. This process aids in detoxing the body and strengthening your immune system. One study has even shown it can substantially lower upper respiratory tract infections.

Cold plunging has shown the ability to increase your baseline dopamine, the molecule in our brain and body that is linked to motivation. Dopamine can enhance our depth of focus and lower our threshold for taking action toward our specific goals.

Researchers have known for a while that plunging connects to our daily energy. In particular, there is lots of evidence that hormone imbalance can contribute to depression, meaning that a cold plunge might help to reduce depression and improve overall mood.

The boost in norepinephrine you'll get from consistent ice baths has been shown to be up to 5x your baseline amount. This neurotransmitter can dramatically reduce inflammation and help with chronic pain.

Cold water therapy has been shown to be an effective supplemental treatment for stress relief by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. This study found that regular cold showers and ice baths helped reduce anxiety and improve the mood of participants.

When you dip into the Plunge, your body triggers the autonomic nervous system—the system that controls your response to stress. When you begin to control your response to stress, you’ll likely find that you begin to control your relaxation and sleep.