Cold plunges have become a rising trend thanks to their reputable benefits for recovery, mental clarity, and overall health. The idea of immersing yourself in ice-cold water may seem daunting, but many enthusiasts swear by cold plunges as part of their daily routines. However, when sickness strikes, you might find yourself wondering: Should you cold plunge when sick? Is it still a good idea, or could it worsen your symptoms? Let’s dive in and explore the potential risks and benefits of taking a cold plunge while sick and how to navigate this decision when you’re feeling under the weather.
What Is a Cold Plunge?
Before diving into the topic of cold plunges when sick, it’s important to understand what exactly a cold plunge is. Cold plunging refers to the practice of immersing your body in water that is typically below 60℉ (15℃) for a period ranging from a few seconds to several minutes. The experience can be done in an ice bath, a cold plunge pool, or even by swimming in cold natural bodies of water. The benefits of cold plunging are widely touted. It is believed to:
- Reduce inflammation and muscle soreness
- Boost the immune system
- Improve circulation
- Enhance mental toughness and mood through the release of endorphins
Given these benefits, many athletes and wellness enthusiasts integrate cold plunges into their recovery routines, but what happens when sickness takes hold?
Should You Cold Plunge When You’re Sick?
If you’re feeling ill, the idea of taking a cold plunge might seem like a good way to “shock” your body back into health, especially when you have an at-home spa experience available in your wellness room. However, whether or not you should take the plunge while feeling unwell is not a simple yes or no—it depends on the type of illness you’re dealing with and how your body is reacting.
Cold and Flu Symptoms
When you’re dealing with a common cold or the flu, your immune system is already in overdrive, working to fight off an attack on your immune system. A cold plunge can place additional stress on your body, which might not be ideal if your immune system is compromised. While cold plunging is known for boosting immunity over the long term, plunging while sick may temporarily weaken your body’s defenses.
Colds and flu often come with symptoms like congestion, sore throat, muscle aches, and fever. A cold plunge while sick with these symptoms could exacerbate muscle soreness and make it harder to breathe, especially if you’re already struggling with congestion. Additionally, cold plunges can lower your core body temperature, and if you already have a fever, your body’s ability to regulate temperature may be compromised.
In short, if you have a cold or the flu, it’s generally best to avoid a cold plunge and allow your body to rest.
Mild Illnesses or Allergies
Not all sicknesses are created equal. If you are experiencing mild symptoms like allergies or a slight headache, whether you should take the dip may depend on how you’re feeling overall. Allergies, for example, are not caused by infection but by an overactive immune response to allergens. In such cases, a cold plunge might help reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief from symptoms like puffy eyes or mild swelling.
However, while cold plunging offers many benefits, it is important to understand the potential risks involved, particularly when you are feeling under the weather.
Risks of Cold Plunges While Sick
While cold plunging offers many health benefits, it is important to understand the potential risks involved, particularly when you are feeling under the weather.
- Increased Stress on the Body
Cold plunges, while invigorating, put stress on your system. This stress is usually beneficial because it prompts the body to adapt and grow stronger. However, when you’re sick, your body is already stressed, working hard to fight off infection. Adding a cold plunge on top of that could overwhelm your system and prolong recovery.
- Lowered Immune Response
Some research suggests that while cold water immersion can boost the immune systems in the long run, immediately after cold exposure, the body may experience a temporary dip in immune function. This could make it harder for your body to fight off a virus if you cold plunge while sick.
- Worsening Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, symptoms like congestion, body aches, and fever can all be worsened by cold plunging. If your body is already struggling to regulate temperature, a plunge could make you feel worse rather than better.
Potential Benefits of Cold Plunges When Sick
Despite the risks, there are some situations where a cold plunge might offer temporary relief or benefits while you’re sick.
- Reduced Inflammation
If you’re suffering from body aches or swollen joints due to illness, a cold plunge may help reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. Athletes have a long history of using cold water to reduce soreness and swelling after intense physical activity, and this could be helpful if muscle soreness is one of your symptoms.
- Improved Circulation
Cold plunging causes blood vessels to constrict and then expand once you exit the water, which can improve circulation. For some people, better circulation may help them feel more energized even when they’re sick, as oxygenated blood is delivered more efficiently to tissues throughout the body.
- Mental Clarity
Cold plunging is often used as a way to boost mental clarity and focus, thanks to the flood of endorphins it releases. If you’re feeling foggy or sluggish due to a mild illness, the invigorating effects of a cold plunge may help clear your mind.
Listen to Your Body
Ultimately, the decision to take a cold plunge when sick comes down to listening to your body. If you’re dealing with mild symptoms and feel up to it, a short, gentle cold plunge might offer temporary relief. However, if you’re dealing with a more severe illness like the flu, it’s probably best to avoid cold plunges until you’re feeling better.
A general rule of thumb is this: if your illness is affecting your respiratory system (such as a cold or flu), it’s wise to skip the cold plunge. However, if your illness is more mild and doesn’t involve congestion, fever, or severe fatigue, you can cautiously consider a cold plunge but monitor how your body reacts.
Cold Plunge Recovery: Post-Sickness
If you’re a regular cold plunger, you may be eager to get back into your routine as soon as possible. Once you’re feeling better and your symptoms have subsided, you can reintroduce cold plunges to help with post-sickness recovery. Cold plunging can stimulate circulation, reduce residual inflammation, and help you regain energy after an illness.
Enjoy Wellness at Home with Tubzz At-Home Cold Plunge Tubs
The answer to whether you should plunge when sick depends on your individual situation. While cold plunging offers amazing benefits for health and recovery, it can also add stress to your body when you’re battling a cold or flu. For most, resting and letting your body recover naturally is the best course of action. However, if you’re dealing with mild symptoms and feel up to it, a short, gentle cold plunge might provide some relief. Always listen to your body and consult a healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
When you’re ready to make cold plunges part of your wellness routine—or if you’re looking for the perfect recovery tool—Tubbzz has you covered. Explore our range of high-quality cold plunge tubs, freestanding tubs, walk-ins, drop-ins, saunas, and full wellness rooms from our Utah-based showroom. Reach out today to design your custom wellness experience from the comfort of your own home.
