Cold immersion is older than your gym membership!! When you step into a tub of icy water, your body lights up like a lightning storm as all your nerve ends get a shock. Ice bathing is not just a trend whispered about in locker rooms and wellness podcasts, it is a ritual with ancient roots and very modern science peering over its shoulder.
Ancient History
The ancient Greeks and Romans incorporated cold plunges into bathhouses for purification, healing and recovery long before we even were thought of. The Roman frigidarium was the final step in their ritual where they would enter a cold room and pool designed to close pores and invigorate the body after an anointing ritual of oil, exercise and steam.
Nordic Traditions
In Scandinavia and Russia, cold plunges paired with saunas have been cultural rituals for centuries. Heat, Cold, Repeat. A thermal conversation between fire and ice dating back long before it became a trend here in the UK.
Japanese Misogi
In Japan the purification ritual involves washing the body, often under cold waterfalls or in natural water, to cleanse spiritual impurities and reconnect with nature. Here we equally use wild swimming to connect with nature, gain mental clarity and spiritual healing.
New Tradition For Future Generations
Today we follow the ancient rituals and what was once a tradition is now part of our daily lives. Sports teams and any gym goers use the ice bath for muscle recovery. Thousands of us have added open water swimming to our daily to do lists as a way to boost mental wellbeing as well as aiding physical ailments. Many report reduced inflammation, a quieter mind, renewed energy and focus after being in the cold water.
ICE BATHS/TUBS
For those who are not fortunate enough to live close to safe waters for open water swimming, there are many suppliers of Ice Baths. You can have the physical and mental benefits in your own garden.
There are no right or wrong number of days to do an ice plunge nor how long to stay in. Some people do a daily dip and stay in for 5 minutes, others 2-3 times a week and only stay in for 2-3 minutes. This is all a personal ritual where you start small and can build up to staying in longer if you want. But several minutes are enough to trigger the benefits of cold water exposure. What is key is to stay within your own limits, and to know the risks. Cold water exposure should feel intense but controlled, not like a survival scenario from a nature documentary.
WHAT TO WEAR
The benefit of being in your garden is you can wear whatever you want, or nothing! Off course at Dippy we wear our Dippy/Budgy Smuggler Swimwear. Lots of us also keep our hands and feet covered as these areas tend to go numb and people feel the cold here more. Our neoprene gloves and socks are perfect for the ice bath/tub as well as the open water. In fact many of our customers report feeling no extreme cold at all with their gloves and socks on. Give them a try and let us know.
BE SAFE
Always enter the cold water slowly. Warm up gradually afterward with dry clothes, layers and light movement but avoid jumping into hot showers immediately, which can stress blood pressure.
Ice baths are not for everyone. Avoid or consult a doctor if you have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, Raynaud’s, Peripheral neuropathy, are pregnant or have respiratory conditions aggravated by cold.
Ice baths are controlled discomfort with purpose. A short stay can reduce soreness, sharpen focus, and train your stress response. A long stay can turn heroic enthusiasm into a medical problem. Start modestly. Respect the cold. Then step in, breathe steadily, and let the chill carve a little clarity into your day. ❄️
