Benefits of cold water therapy as David Beckham reveals ice bath ritual
Cold water therapy has seen an increase in popularity in recent years with people who practise the method praising benefits such as reduced muscle pain and a boosted immune system – and David Beckham is a major fan.
The former professional footballer gets into a freezing cold outdoor bath in nothing but his underwear and a beanie hat every week as part of his "self-care Sunday" ritual, he revealed in an Instagram post.
Beckham, 48, shared a clip of himself relaxing in the cold water, which he said was 3C in temperature. He wrote in the caption: "Self Care Sunday. Three degrees today, perfect for a Sunday rest day."
While the ex-sportsman has fully embraced the icy waters and made it part of his weekly routine, other celebrities have dabbled in the wellness trend, which advocates say result in a host of benefits.
Last May, Holly Willoughby took the plunge and shared an Instagram video of herself sitting in an ice water bath with a long-sleeve swimsuit and a beanie hat on.
“Right let’s begin this icy journey! After working with @iceman_hof and the whole #freezethefear team, it’s taken a year, but I’m finally doing it for you…” she wrote in a caption.
“Didn’t last long but build up slowly right?” the 42-year-old added. “Wow, that was bloody cold but I did feel incredible after…”
Willoughby credited motivational speaker and extreme athlete Wim Hof for introducing her to cold water therapy, which is one of the key pillars of the ‘Wim Hof Method’ – a practice said to reward followers with “maximum energy, restful sleep and an uncluttered headspace”.
“Frequent exposure to cold is linked to a number of different health benefits,” the Wim Hof site states. “For example, scientists have found evidence that exposure to cold speeds up metabolism. Another benefit of exposing your body to cold is that it reduces inflammation, swelling and sore muscles.”
What is cold water therapy?
Cold water therapy, in its simplest form, means immersing yourself in water less that 15C, which can be via an ice bath, a cold shower, or an outdoor swim. You generally only tend to be in the water for a few minutes at a time.
A more extreme version of cold water therapy is ice swimming, which has been popularised by Wim Hof. This sees people swim for a longer period of time in water less than 5C.
The benefits of cold water therapy
According to Bupa, some of the benefits of cold water swimming include:
Reduced muscle pain and stiffness after exercise
Reduced swelling and inflammation
Improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Boosts immune system
Improved general wellbeing
Bupa adds that the evidence for the benefits of cold water therapy is currently scarce and most is anecdotal evidence.
There are also some things to be wary of when attempting cold water therapy, as the practice can put your body into shock. Cold water therapy can trigger arrhythmias, hypothermia and cold water shock which makes it hard to breathe.
If you are going to try cold water therapy, Bupa recommends starting slowly and building sessions up gradually to lessen the risk of cold water shock.
The science behind cold water therapy
There has been some interesting research into cold water therapy and its benefits. A study from 2022 analysing data from 104 different studies, determined that some benefits from cold water therapy include that it can have a positive effect on the immune system, mental health and improve insulin sensitivity.
A separate study from 2021 concluded that “cold-water immersion is a well-tolerated therapy that is capable of significantly improving mood in young, fit, and healthy individuals”.
Read more: Christina Applegate explains why with MS 'it's never a good day': What is multiple sclerosis?
How to practice cold water therapy at home
If you want to try cold water therapy, it’s best to start small and work your way up to allow your body to adjust to the exposure.
Bupa recommends trying a cold shower first, as this is less intense that swimming outdoors and can be a good indicator of how your body responds to the cold water. To do this, gradually reduce the temperature of your shower and how long you spend under the cold water.
When you’re ready to try cold water therapy in the great outdoors, it’s best to first go with an organised group who are doing cold water therapy together so that it is supervised by experts.
You could also take a leaf from Beckham's book and try an ice bath. These can be found in some spas, and should be attempted under supervision.
Read more about the benefits of cold weather and cold water:
Topless snow walks and cold water swimming: What you need to know about braving winter pursuits (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read)
Health benefits of cold water swimming as Princess of Wales says she's a fan: 'The colder the better' (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
Teacher endures freezing temperatures to go wild swimming every day for a year (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read)
