Cold Plunge in Your Home Pool During 2023 Winter.

Cold…. But not unusable.

Many homeowners are familiar with the summertime joys of having a pool in the backyard, the barbecues, the parties, and the family memories. But what about the wintertime? Your pool doesn’t have to sit cold lonely and unused during the winter months. In fact, using your home pool as a cold plunge can have amazing benefits for your mind, body, and soul.

Benefits

Experts believe a cold plunge can boost your circulation, reduce inflammation, help you burn more fat and cold plunges are a great way to boost your mood and energy levels.
Deliberate cold exposure causes a significant release of epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and norepinephrine (aka noradrenaline) in the brain and body. These neurochemicals make us feel alert and agitated, as if we need to move or vocalise during the cold exposure. The cold causes our levels to stay elevated for some time and there ongoing effect after the exposure will increase your level of energy and focus, which can be applied to other mental and/or physical activities. .

How cold?

This is the most common question, and it makes sense to ask. However as some people tolerate cold better than others it is impossible to answer,. The key is to aim for a temperature that evokes the thought, “This is really cold (!), and I want to get out, BUT I can safely stay in.” For some people, that temperature might be 16 degrees celsius, whereas for others, 3-4 degrees celsius. Aim for 2/4 sessions a week lasting 3-5 minutes.

How to get started…

If you’re new to cold therapy, it’s best to start out slowly and work your way up. This can be best handled by daily immersions as your pool water temperature starts to drop inline with outdoor temperatures. This daily acclimation is a great way to adapt to the cold water you will experience in the middle of winter and help complete your 2 to 4 sessions each week.

Conclusion

Using your home pool as a cold plunge can be a great way to get the most out of your pool during the winter months. If you happen to live in warmer environments and still want to experience the benefits you can always add ice to your colder then normal pool.
Cold immersion can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, and make you feel more relaxed. It can also help to reduce anxiety, depression, and even chronic pain.
What a way to help extend the life of your pool and save you money on potential heating costs.
So why not give it a try, drip dry and see what it can do for you?