Recent research suggests taking dip in very cold water for several hours week is good for our health. Researchers from University of Central Lancashire in U.K. looked into benefits of cold-water immersion therapy. They found it could have positive effects on our cognition, sleep quality, and overall well-being. The researchers studied effects on health of 13 people. The participants were dunked in 10ºC water for 10 minutes, three times week, for four weeks. Study author Dr Robert Allan said cold-water therapy could "help with number of positive physiological and psychological changes linked to improvements in overall general health and well-being".
Cold-water immersion has been used in various fields for its curative and healing benefits. For many decades, ice baths have helped to speed recovery of athletes following intense, energy-sapping performances. Dr Allan said his findings also showed positive impact on sleep. He said: "Two weeks of regular therapeutic cold-water immersion improved subjective sleep, with fewer sleep disturbances." Subjecting body to cold water for health purposes is already common practice. At New Year, people take a plunge in icy seas and lakes. In Japan, bathers refresh their bodies by alternating dips in hot and cold baths in tradition known as toto-no-u.
