Cold therapy is one of sports-recreational activities that are becoming more and more popular and offer various benefits. Any healthy person can try it regardless their age or body structure, but discussing the intention with a doctor wouldn’t go amiss for sure. If cold therapy is practised regularly and by respecting certain rules, it results in a variety of health benefits such as an immunity boost (the body of an experienced cold therapy enthusiast can cope with viral diseases better), faster metabolism and better stress resistance. It has also been proven to suppress allergies and keep our vessels and blood circulation fit, which means the heart as well. Cold therapy can make us mentally stronger as we develop endurance and determination and are “flooded” with endorphins. Our organism becomes stronger in generally and fitter.
Main cold therapy benefits:
- Immunity strengthening– If we apply cold therapy properly, the body learns to respond to cold, gets used to it and adapts. This is actually immunity training.
- Testing of the cardiovascular system and vascular elasticity – alternating cold and warmth makes our vessels work dutifully. In response to cold temperatures, they constrict or narrow and supply only the basic organs with blood to secure the most important body functions. When heated, they dilate or widen and supply all body parts with blood. This vessel training is very important as they harden as we grow older, can narrow and get clogged.
- Regeneration after a sports performance – If you take a cold shower instead of a warm one after a physically demanding sports performance, you will see that your DOMS will be weaker or there will be none. Your body will recover faster and you will be fit again much sooner.
- Stronger mind and will– To go into cold water, one needs determination and a strong will. But when you overcome all obstacles that limit you, you will be flooded with happiness and endorphins. Because you have made it, you have overcome yourself and didn’t give up. And if you manage to apply the same determination and a strong will to other activities in your life, that’s a small victory already. Cold therapy can be also perceived as a kind of psychic hygiene.
- Form improvement and health boost– Many cold swimmers say that they don’t get ill so often, don’t suffer from respiratory diseases, don’t have to wear warm clothes. They are more vital, have more energy, perform better.
Every human has the ability to adapt to the conditions of the outside world. But with our lifestyle, we have learned to suppress this ability more or less, the mechanisms inside our body have “become lazy” and have adapted to new conditions. Cold therapy can “warm them up” again, though. Progressive approach and regularity are the basic rules. The ideal tools to use cold therapy are actually at hand – water and air.
Experts and experienced cold therapy enthusiasts recommend doing the first, so to say preparation phase at home. The best is to begin in summer when the body gets used to cold gradually and doesn’t suffer such a big shock. Wearing fewer and fewer clothing layers, temperature reduction in the room when sleeping, changing a thick quilt for a thinner blanket and a gradual water temperature reduction in the shower every day are only partial steps that lead to the goal. Cold therapy in the morning is the best. We should start with lukewarm water, decrease the temperature every day a bit and move in the shower, not only stand. This preparation should last at least half a year or longer. Only then it’s time to perform cold therapy outside in nature. The Tatras are ideal for cold therapy because the climate is colder, the air is absolutely clean and the variety of potential physical activities is never-ending.
Whether you decide to do sport lightly dressed or dare to swim in cold water in all weathers, never forget to warm up before and also after swimming. Twice or three times per week. To have more fun and also to stay safe, it’s good to find a partner to do cold therapy with and hold on until winter. Because winter offers new options – snow. You can test your resistance also on your winter holiday in the High Tatras, where low temperatures and snow are not uncommon. Try for example a maximum three-minute long walk barefooted in snow. Then make the blood in your feet circulate by applying a massage and keep them warm.
Where can cold therapy be performed?
(Cold therapy is at one’s own risk in selected localities)
Quarry Kvetnica – Poprad – The original old quarry behind the bend in the direction of the Poprad-Kvetnica recreational zone is suitable for swimming in cold water. The bank is mildly sloping, the bottom is quite safe and many cold therapy enthusiasts go there regularly.
Batizovce gravel lake – Not far from the town of Svit, there is the Batizovské Štrkopiesky lake, which is sought after by cold therapy fans in winter.
