5 Ways Icy Cold Temperatures Can Boost Your Body and Mind

Wim Hof, aka "The Iceman", has become a bit of a legend in the wellness world, and as his nickname suggests, he’s all about icy cold conditions, as well as breathing technique.

What started as a personal mission to improve his own health, and challenge and push his own boundaries – Hof’s chill-inducing feats include running a half marathon above the Arctic Circle barefoot wearing nothing but shorts, and swimming beneath a sheet of ice for 66m – has now turned into a bit of a global movement.

His mission is to help people become "happy, strong and healthy", but it’s obviously vital that beginners start slowly and with expert guidance – certainly don’t just go plunging into frozen bodies of water without proper training and experience, and never do it alone.

Ice baths are a fairly common practice among athletes and sports people. The idea is that after intense training, you climb into a bath of cold water and ice as part of the post-workout recovery process. Being immersed in the icy water is thought to help reduce inflammation in the muscles, meaning quicker healing and less soreness.

Also, the extreme cold makes blood vessels restrict, while they dilate when warming up again afterward. It’s said this cycle can help flush metabolic waste (chemical by-products that build up when your body has worked extra hard, such as lactic acid).

There’s debate around how effective ice baths really are. A study published in the Journal of Physiology recently suggested they may actually impede muscle building. However, the practice is still pretty popular around the globe.

Winter open water swimming (admittedly, this often just means a quick dip and a few laps – but that’s enough) is said to work wonders for boosting blood-flow and circulation, which can improve function throughout the body, supporting long-term health too. But it’s the mental benefits that often strike people most, from the alertness and clarity to the bolstered mood and better sleep.

Meditation is hailed for its benefits for body and mind, particularly around helping us become more mindful, less stressed and even helping manage depression and anxiety. Taking your practice outdoors in the snow could take it to whole new levels.

Not only are you immersing in nature, which in itself is proven to support mental wellbeing, the cold air can help heighten concentration and focus. Plus, let’s face it, a snowy scene or landscape is always pretty magical anyway.