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Cold-water immersion therapy helps us sleep

Recent research suggests taking a dip in very cold water for several hours a week is good for our health. Researchers from the University of Central Lancashire in the U.K. looked into the benefits of cold-water immersion therapy. They found it could have positive effects on our cognition, sleep quality, and overall well-being. The researchers studied the effects on the health of 13 people. The participants were dunked in 10ºC water for 10 minutes, three times a week, for four weeks. Study author Dr Robert Allan said the cold-water therapy could "help with a number of positive physiological and psychological changes linked to improvements in overall general health and well-being".

Cold-water immersion has been used in various fields for its curative and healing benefits. For many decades, ice baths have helped to speed the recovery of athletes following intense, energy-sapping performances. Dr Allan said his findings also showed a positive impact on sleep. He said: "Two weeks of regular therapeutic cold-water immersion improved subjective sleep, with fewer sleep disturbances." Subjecting the body to cold water for health purposes is already a common practice. At the New Year, people take a plunge in icy seas and lakes. In Japan, bathers refresh their bodies by alternating dips in hot and cold baths in a tradition known as toto-no-u.

 

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Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

research / a dip / cold water / health / therapy / cognition / sleep / psychological / fields / healing / ice baths / recovery / athletes / icy seas / bathers / tradition

 

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Discussion

1) What do you think of cold-water therapy?

2) When was the last time you had a cold bath or shower?

3) What do you think of bathing?

4) What are the health benefits of bathing?

5) Do you prefer baths or showers?

6) Why might cold baths improve our sleep and cognition?

7) How is your health?

8) Would you take weekly cold baths for your health?