Cold training has gone from a niche phenomenon to a regular part of many people's health routine. Where cold was previously associated with something unpleasant, more and more people today see cold as an active tool for both physical and mental strength. But what is cold training exactly, and why does it have such a significant effect on the body?
Cold training is basically about conscious exposure to cold - typically through cold baths, cold water tubs or sea bathing - with the aim of training the body's ability to handle stress, regulate the nervous system and enhance recovery.
What happens in the body during cold training?
When the body is exposed to cold, a number of physiological processes are activated. Blood vessels constrict, breathing quickens, and the nervous system briefly goes into alert mode. It is this response that makes cold training effective.
With repeated and controlled exposure, the body learns to:
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Better regulate the stress response
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Improve blood circulation
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Strengthen the autonomic nervous system
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Recover faster after physical exertion
The cold acts as a training stimulus, not unlike physical exercise - just on a more subtle and neurological level.
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