Cold plunging has been part of my life for a good while now, and I’ve just upped my game by with the addition of a Rewyld oak plunge in our cottage garden. No more stuffing the freezer with bottles of water; my plunge water stays clean and cold all day, every day! So why do I bother jumping in cold water? Sounds like hell frozen over? Here’s some of the benefits..

1. Muscle Recovery & Dopamine Hits: Exposure to cold water induces vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to skeletal muscles. This constriction does wonders at reducing post-exercise muscle inflammation and damage, helping you recover faster. If you’re doing strength training though, don’t get cold within the following few hours as you want that inflammation for muscle growth! Additionally, cold water exposure can fire up the bodies intrinsic antioxidant defence systems, which in turn may encourage the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with motivation and reward.

2. Endorphin Release: Cold immersion activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of endorphins, which are natural opioids. Expect a mood boost, some stress alleviation, alleviate stress, and general all well sense of feeling good for a few ours after.

“I find the most time effective way to built grit, resilience, determination and discpline, was to jump in to a cold plunge each day”

3. Immune Modulation: Prolonged cold exposure may stimulate the production of leukocytes and enhance their functional activity, potentially strengthening the immune system's ability to ward off infections. My preference is to get in the plunge when I feel the first sign of illness, rather than in the midst of it!.

4. Skin Health: Though I look like a salmon straight after a plunge, the cold-induced vasoconstriction and subsequent vasodilation can invigorate the skin, potentially improving microcirculation, oxygenation, and nutrient delivery, which can make your skin glow!

5. Building Grit: Through my life, I’ve grown most via doing hard things… whether forced upon me or by choice, e.g. ultra marathons. As a time poor, self-employed, new dad, I find the most time effective way to built grit, resilience, determination and discpline, was to jump in to a cold plunge each day. Every day I procrastinate and delay this experience… but I never regret it.

If you have the space and resource to add a stunning ice plunge to your life, then Rewyld is happy to offer all of my followers 5% off….just mention my name. If you're new to it, you can start with cold showers or simply fill a normal bath will cold water; it may be cold enough to get the benefits, especially in the winter.