Have You Heard of the New Ice Bath Trend?

If you ever spend time in the online wellness space, you might have witnessed a surprising new trend. Influencers are taking a polar plunge, immersing themselves in freezing cold water with ice chunks floating on the surface—all in the name of health and wellness. It’s not as relaxing as sipping matcha lattes or enjoying a face mask, but shocking yourself with cold water is the latest in self care, and according to fans it can make a major difference in your health.

You might be wondering what freezing your buns off has to do with wellbeing, but we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about the ice bath trend, including how it got started, the purported benefits ice bath enthusiasts are all about, and how to give the trend a try for yourself.

How Ice Baths Became Trendy

They’re the latest thing in online wellness circles, but it might surprise you to learn that ice baths have been around for a very long time. Like over 3,000 years ago long!

The first appearance of ice baths is in a medical treatise published by an ancient Egyptian physician, who advised that patients submerge themselves in cold water as a treatment for skin diseases and other minor complaints. 

As the years went by, ice baths continued to be used for traditional medicinal applications in societies like Ancient Greece, where bathing was used medically for sore joints and muscle pains, as well as a social occasion. Yes, hanging out with your friends in a giant bathtub was their idea of a good time!

During the renaissance era and into the early 19th century, ice baths and bathing in general remained popular as hydrotherapy remained a mainstay of medicinal treatments in spa towns like Bath Germany, and Vichy France, where aristocrats would come to “take the waters” and soothe their various medical complaints. Ice baths were believed to treat everything from diabetes to nervous disorders and depression.

As modern medicine became more common, ice baths lost popularity. That is, until now! Thanks to Dutch ice bathing and breathwork pioneer Wim Hof, bathing in ice has become a popular pastime for people committed to wellness at the cost of getting a little chilly.

The Benefits of Ice Baths

So what are the benefits of ice baths? Nowadays, ice baths aren’t used to treat serious diseases, but there are a number of wellness boosting uses with the science to back them up.

Ice bathing is often used by athletes as a protocol for muscular relief after a workout, targeting general aches and pains as well as overall muscle fatigue. Some research shows that ice baths can reduce muscle spasms and edema, making them a valuable post workout tool.

Skincare enthusiasts also often use ice bathing to boost the health and appearance of their skin, plunging their face in a bowl of ice water or jumping directly into an icy pool to enjoy the whole body benefits. Experts claim that applying ice water to your skin can help reduce puffiness and decrease inflammation, improving the skin tone by minimizing the appearance of visible pores and superficial wrinkles.

Want to Try Ice Bathing? Here’s What You Need to Know

Want to give ice bathing a try? We’re all for it. Here’s how to do it the right way—and yes, there’s more to it than filling your bathtub with cold water.

Before you bathe, prep your tub by filling it with cold water and ice, having a towel at the ready, and learning ice bath breathing techniques you can use before and during your submersion to increase the effects. Set up a timer to make sure you don’t stay in too long. Experts recommend no more than 2-3 minutes of submersion, and take the plunge!

Once you’re in the water, don’t hold your breath. Do your breathing exercises and focus your mind to help you think of something other than how cold you are. With a little help, the time should pass quickly.

Now it’s time to exit. Get out slowly and pat yourself dry before doing some light movement to help get your blood flowing again.

So there you have it, the inside scoop on the ice bath trend!