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Immerse Yourself In Hot/Cold Therapy
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Improving your health should be a lifelong pursuit, and it is one that can sometimes be overwhelming. Sometimes there are so many theories and ideas out there that it can be hard to find the right one. However, sometimes the simplest method is best. In many cases, simple changes to our daily routines can provide an amazing array of benefits. Another thing you may not realize is that some of the most effective therapies have their beginnings in ancient history. This can be said of hot/cold therapy. Exposing the body to extreme hot or cold is one way ancient cultures learned to manage their health, and it can be just as effective for you today.
Deep within our bodies, we have mitochondria that act as energy producers. Exposure to extreme heat and cold actually energize these little cells. In fact, extreme temperature exposure is critical to the way mitochondria function. If these little guys are getting what they need to work correctly, you’ll see impacts to your health and wellbeing.
Impact of Extreme Heat and Cold on the Body
You may be aware of how refreshing a sauna can be. The extreme heat bath technique goes back for centuries, made famous by the Romans as a way to purge their bodies and energize them for the day. Current studies have found that exposure to a sauna can actually improve your heart health. In fact, the more frequently you use the sauna, the better your heart will be. The reason for this is due to the heat itself. As your body gets warmer, your heart rate will increase, and you’ll experience vasodilation. Your heart will start pumping blood faster and more efficiently. Your muscles will also relax. So, as you can see, there are incredible benefits to exposing yourself to extremely high temperatures. There’s a reason the sauna is so popular, and that is because it can be an extremely refreshing process.
On the other hand, exposure to cold also has benefits tied into a process called “hormesis.” This goes back to that mitochondrial function we talked about before. Being exposed to the cold — and extreme cold at that — triggers your body to conserve energy by burning fat. The cold actually signals your brain to also release chemicals that trigger mental clarity and improve your mood while getting rid of pain.
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