I've heard that things like cold showers, cold water swimming etc are really good for ones health, especially if one has something like fybromyalgia or other inflamitory conditions and for mental health too.
Has anyone tried it, does it work or did it just make you so cold you couldn't get warm again?
I find it curious that people do this willingly.
I have had cold showers once or twice, but it is very hard. I can't breathe.
And having been in water a few degrees above freezing in a mountain stream I think cold water on my male dangly bits is in no way pleasant.
This is why I was intrigued. I often find these things come highly recommended by therapists and the likes but in reality they can't be put into practice by most or only small parts of them are actually useful.
I too have heard that cold water immersion can be good for ones health, and I know it is popular with women of a certain age. However, it is not something I would willingly want to try because I think I would find it painfully cold. It's certainly not something I would want to do during the colder months of the year, so I take my hat off to Lonehare12 .
I was given a copy of this book by the NHS Trust at a support clinic for Autistic Adults a few weeks ago. Other Trusts are recommending it too. I scanned it over and there are some useful tips, but much of the material isn’t aimed at people like me, so it has put me off. I should return to reading the sections that are relevant, but I’m always busy with other things I’d rather be doing so it is still on the ‘to do’ heap. There are probably tips or techniques in the book for procrastination (autistic inertia?), but I can’t get motivated to look.
I know DBT is controversial —I think this book is OK, but I don’t have the full facts. I think that has also put me off it a bit.
Given what I can do to technology I'm not sure thats a good analogy, Lonehare.
If I had something like that in my garden then I can just imagine having Fearn jumping in with me, even though she's not a fan of water, although she dosent' come in the shower with me, she did try it once when she was a puppy, but didn't like it.
How are you finding the DBT skills workbook? Is it useful at all?
I would definitely recommend an ice bath. I have one in my garden. I've had it for a couple of years.
I only use it from September through until probably April when the weather is cooler and the ice bath is below 15°C.
Everything gets sort of slow in there, which is an unusual feeling for me, it's quite restful.
I would say it definitely helps with mental health, it sort of gives you a reboot, as if you have unplugged the computer and plugged it back in again..I think I probably have a more consistent energy level throughout the day too.
I really appreciate the hot shower afterwards though.
lol no worries! Someone recommended this book to me called 'The neurodivergent friendly workbook of DBT skills' it's a type of therapy and the workbook looks at mindfulness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
The dive reflex is about how mammals slow down their breathing and heart rate in cold water, so it's should help calm you down. Supposedly you can trigger the reflex with a bowl of cold water or ice packs around your face. However, if you have blood pressure, heart problems or anything like that, you should ask a doctor before trying stuff.
Yes, I've had a little look at a couple of studies, but the science on the topic is still very much new and there are so many variables that could have an impact on each individual. So, I think there's a risk involved, particularly if you have health complications, but I'd recommend it to most people. Even just blasting your shower on a cold temperature for 10 seconds or so just before you finish up would be enough to give you a taste and you can go from there.
And yep, 6 degrees is definitely cold hahaha!
Sorry Joe, I don't understand your post, what DBT and the mammalian dive reflex, all I do when I get in water is sink!
6 degrees is COLD! I remember seeing a Dr Michael Mosley programme on TV about the benefits of cold water immersion. I don’t think there were enough people to make it a proper clinical trial with evidence, but one lady at least, had dramatic lift of her severe and enduring depression following several dips in a lake. Although I don’t do cold water immersion, I might be tempted if there was conclusive evidence with recommended temperatures.
My gym has a little spa area, and in it is a 'plunge pool' - it is approximately 6 degrees Celsius. I regularly go in it.
I'm not actually sure about the health benefits, I know online you'll see a lot of claims, but I can't say for certain. However, mentally I absolutely love it. There's the actual mental challenge you overcome by getting in there, and you feel great for doing that.
Plus, the first thirty seconds or so is difficult, then I find you manage to adapt a little and it gets easier. Then, I can truly relax for a few minutes before the coldness creeps in again and it reverts back to an endurance challenge - this little window of relaxation is so, so blissful, it relaxes me like nothing else does and I really love it.
When just going in for something like that, I do about 3-5 minutes. On some days it is harder than others in which case I'll leave early, like for example if I feel a little weak or dizzy I'll get out early. My best is 11 minutes - I don't usually time myself but on that occasion I did.
There's certainly a lot of positive things said about it and I know people that love it but my sensory issues could never. I can't even cope if my shower is warm rather than hot.
I swam in a Lake in late December years ago, and I have had a couple of swims in the Atlantic in springtime, but it’s not something I would do now. Yes, I felt great afterwards, but it might have been the adrenaline after doing such a thing. I would never manage to make it a daily habit and I would hate to put myself through the torture and find that the sea water hadn’t been cold enough to give the body a ‘shock’ to reset the brain. I can’t find any scientific studies that look at temperature efficacy. If there were such studies, I would reconsider.
