3 Cryotherapy Hacks Scientifically Proven for Longeivty

Cold therapy has the potential to ease anxiety, boost focus and energy, reduce inflammation, and tackle aches and pains—and it’s much easier to get into in the summer months when exposing yourself to frigid temperatures is a relief.

“Exposure to cold temperatures has been shown to reduce inflammation by reducing blood flow to affected areas of the body,” explains Colin Edgar, founder of CET CryoSpasa leading supplier of cryotherapy to sports institutions in Europe. “This in turn helps relieve pain and other related symptoms. In addition to pain relief, cryo is often used by athletes to promote muscle recovery, because the low temperature reduces muscle damage and prevents potential injuries.” It’s also a great way to help the body produce mood-boosting endorphins to reduce stress and improve mood and sleep in one fell swoop.

Here are three different ways to harness the wonders of cryotherapy now.

The cold water dive

Whether you turn the shower too cold when you’re about to step outside or go for a swim in the sea, immersing yourself in cold water offers “immediate short-term benefits (such as feeling invincible due to the release of endorphins) and long-term benefits. with repeated exposure, such as better brain health,” says Laura Fullerton, CEO and founder of Monk. “There is a misconception that you need to stay indoors for a long time, but I would recommend that beginners aim for just two minutes in a warm temperature (between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit) to reap the benefits.”

Fullerton recommends taking long, deep breaths if you’re feeling the cold. “Start by taking a cold shower every day for a week,” she says. “In this heat it is also easy to jump under a hose or fill a paddling pool with water and ice. It’s incredible how quickly people notice that they generally feel lighter, happier and more focused.” For those who want to take it a step further, Monk’s smart ice bath is second to none, and is accompanied by an app that offers breathing exercises, guided diving exercises and soundscapes to help you cope with the cold. All you have to do is fill it with water and get in.

The icy facial tool

When temperatures rise, our skin can become red, swollen and irritated. There’s a reason why Kate Moss likes to dunk her face in a tub of ice-cold water every morning. “In general, cold temperatures will cause vasoconstriction (or shrinking of blood vessel walls) and reduce blood flow,” explains facialist. Katharine Mackenzie Paterson. “This can then reduce swelling, help with surface redness and draw heat from the skin, and relieve itching or stinging by slightly dulling the nerve endings.” She adds that it can also be great for controlling oil and acne.

Cryoballs are an extremely popular way to harness the wonders of ice on the skin. Store them in the freezer and take them out for a few minutes before using them on your face. “You don’t want to give yourself a chilly feeling,” warns Mackenzie Paterson. “They are best used with a nice cream-based mask or an oil to create slip on the skin.” Start around the neck before moving up the jawline, using upward and outward strokes. When you get to your face, start in the center and slide outward to the ear and jaw areas. “Use gentle strokes around the eyes, or circle around them.”

The cryotherapy chamber

For real converts, a cryotherapy chamber is ideal, which uses extreme cold (think temperatures of -140 degrees Celsius) to achieve immediate results. It’s one treatment Ten Health and fitness has incorporated into their wellness services, so is their belief in its power to stimulate cellular regeneration and address pain relief.

“Our room is cooled to -85 degrees and the sessions last three minutes,” explains Justin Rogers, creative director at the destination. “How often you need cryo depends on the reason why you use it. If you are an athlete or are using it as part of a treatment for a specific problem, you can use it daily, while for general wellness benefits one to three times a week is optimal.”