Cold Therapy for Physical and Mental health

One of the things I often discuss is the importance of physical resiliency to overall quality of life. In my speeches, I mostly focus on the basics, like exercise, sleep, and nutrition. However, in my quest to increase my knowledge base on practices that can make us more resilient. I have come across a few things. I want to share in this post. I recently listened to a podcast and some YouTube videos from Dr. Andrew Huberman that I wanted to share here with you.

Dr. Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford University who has conducted extensive research on the effects of cold therapy, sleep, and sunlight on physical resiliency. His perspectives on these topics can help individuals improve their overall physical health and resilience.

Cold therapy is the practice of exposing oneself to cold temperatures, which has been shown to have numerous health benefits. According to Dr. Huberman, cold therapy can improve physical resiliency by activating the body’s immune response and increasing the production of white blood cells. This can help the body fight off infections and illnesses more effectively.

In addition, cold therapy can also improve circulation and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate pain and promote healing. Dr. Huberman recommends starting with short periods of exposure to cold temperatures and gradually increasing the duration and intensity over time. This can help the body adjust and become more resilient to cold temperatures. Furthermore, cold therapy has been shown to increase dopamine levels buy up to 250% in the effects last for hours! You can imagine the impact that has on mental health as well.

Sleep is another important factor in physical resiliency. Lack of sleep has been linked to a number of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. According to Dr. Huberman, getting enough sleep is crucial for the body to repair and regenerate itself.

During sleep, the body produces growth hormone, which is important for tissue repair and muscle growth. In addition, sleep is also important for the immune system, as it helps the body produce cytokines, which are proteins that help fight off infections and inflammation.

Dr. Huberman recommends getting at least seven hours of sleep per night and establishing a consistent sleep schedule. This can help regulate the body’s natural circadian rhythms and improve the quality of sleep.

Sunlight is another important factor in physical resiliency. Exposure to sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is important for bone health and immune function. In addition, sunlight can also help regulate the body’s circadian rhythms and improve mood. Talk to Dr. Huberman recommends exposing yourself to sunlight early in the day, in order to maximize its affect on circadian rhythms.

In addition to cold therapy, sleep, and sunlight, Dr. Huberman also recommends engaging in regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet as ways to improve physical resiliency. Exercise can improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle mass, and reduce inflammation. Exercise has I tremendous impact on dopamine levels as well. A healthy diet can provide the body with the nutrients it needs to repair and regenerate itself.

Dr. Andrew Huberman’s perspectives on cold therapy, sleep, and sunlight can help individuals improve their physical resiliency. By incorporating these practices into daily life, individuals can increase their immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health and well-being.

Implementing cold therapy into my life has been a challenge. In the same way, we have to develop discipline to engage in exercise on the daily basis, many people are going to find that they will quickly develop a strong resistance to an early morning icy cold shower. It took a lot for me to begin this practice but once I did, I was hooked. Not only did I feel more energetic than I had in a long time, and my overall outlook on life was more positive, I felt less resistance to go to the gym. I highly recommend implementing cold therapy into your daily wellness practice.