The hottest thing on the blind dating scene in Los Angeles isn’t all that hot.
In fact, it’s freezing. Literally. Ice baths, it seems, are having a moment.
They’ve long been used by athletes to help heal muscles after heavy workouts or to bring down core body temperatures after exercising in the heat. Oh, and those Polar Bear challenge crazies who run into freezing bodies of water in the most inhospitable of temperatures? They were early adopters, too.
But today, the baths — also known as cold shock therapy — are catching on with the masses.
Ice tubs are hot sellers. Hollywood actors and those ubiquitous social media influencers are touting the benefits, carrying on about how ready they feel to take on the world.
But is this something we all need to be doing?
Hardly, researchers say. If you have an injured arm or leg, a short plunge — no more than 10 minutes — can help with healing. Beyond that, little research exists to support any lasting benefits.
The fight-or-flight response our bodies go through upon plunging into frigid water may be what’s causing the euphoria so many experience.
And danger lurks for anyone whose doctor can’t assure that your heart is ready for such a jolt.
Any of us who take a plunge into an icy bath will experience a cold shock response. It’s that initial moment that makes you gasp. We might hyperventilate a little and our blood pressure rises. A healthy body can manage it, but someone with a weak heart? Maybe not.
It brings to mind advice we all heard as children: Just because all your friends are jumping into an ice bath, doesn’t mean you have to do it, too.