Using Cold Part 1
Extracting benefits from cold exposure has been a long part of human history and across many different cultures. Cold exposure has transcended time due to its multitude of benefits on both the body and mind. This week we are going to dive into the mental effects.
First, a word about using cold. You always want to be safe with your cold exposure. You want the water to be cold enough that you mind goes Wow! This is cold! I want to get out, but I can safely stay in. If you choose to use cold therapy, always start slow. Some people can tolerate cold better than others. You don’t start a running program by running a marathon. You don’t start cold exposure at its absolute coldest. Usually around 60 degrees is a good starting place. Also, learn the beginning signs of hypothermia and never go into large bodies of cold water solo. Use common sense and be safe.
Exposure to the cold causes the brain and body to release adrenaline and noradrenaline. These chemicals trigger our fight or flight system. It will increase the amount of oxygen we take in, increase our physical strength, decrease our pain response and heighten our awareness. In short, they increase the amount of energy we have and the focus we can apply.
Because being really cold isn’t fun and you have to force yourself to do it, this has another positive effect. This is known as top down control. Top down control occurs when you consciously choose to suppress your brain's reflexes. In cold exposure, it is the reflex to get out. The ability to use top down control is what is now being called grit. This is when you face a stressor and are able to mentally force yourself through it. All of this to say, using cold exposure is a great way to train your mind to deal with stressors. This skill then gets carried over into all aspects of life, leading someone to become better at dealing with stressors in their daily life, both physical and mental.
The last mental effect of the cold we are going to dive into is your mood. For context; dopamine is a molecule produced naturally in the brain that is the molecule that motivates us. It enhances our attention, boosts alertness, energy levels, increases focus and drives us in goal seeking behaviors. Cold exposure therapy leads to increases in dopamine. This creates a lasting positive impact on our mood and overall mental well being.
The cold clearly has a myriad of benefits. Stay tuned for next time when we talk about the positive effects it has on the body and how you can apply cold exposure into your own life.
