When the colder, damper, months come are you first in the queue for cold remedies? Do you lose all motivation? Do the winter blues set in? Our latest blog explores 4 ways whole body cryotherapy can potentially help you during the autumn and winter months.
Boost the immune system
Whole Body Cryotherapy has a strong, positive impact on the immune system. When the body is exposed to extreme cold temperatures, there is an amazing physiological response that works wonders on promoting the key elements of a strong immune system.
Research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology (2010) concluded 10 sessions of cryotherapy can lead to signs of increased immune system functionality. The modality increases the white blood cell count in the body, a major contributory factor in the body’s ability to fight disease and infections. A further factor was the noted reduction in antioxidative stress in the body. If left unchecked, stress can have a very negative impact and seriously compromise your immune system.
Fight off the winter blues
With the longer nights, lack of sunlight, and colder days the winter blues can easily set in and may result, in extreme cases, in a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to an article in The Independent, 29% of British adults experience some symptoms of the blues during the winter months. The NHS states around 2 million people in the UK and more than 12 million people across northern Europe are officially diagnosed with SAD every year.
Cryotherapy may be able to help alleviate some of those symptoms by reducing the feelings of stress and anxiety. Undergoing a session of whole body cryotherapy releases a natural rush of endorphins and, in addition, the cold shock triggers the body’s fight or flight response. This causes vasoconstriction in the body, pulling blood from extremities back into the core. When this happens, it gives the body the opportunity to enrich the blood with oxygen and beneficial enzymes and nutrients. When the body warms back up, the enriched blood flows back through the body, boosting the overall feeling of a sense of wellbeing.
Stay motivated
With longer nights and shorter days, it’s easy to lose the motivation and to Netflix and chill the months away. However, the introduction of cryotherapy into your normal routine can help to keep you motivated and on track with your wellness goals. A 3-minute session can release endorphins, improve your circulation and metabolism, and even improve sleep – helping you to feel better rested. The extreme cold temperatures really can help you to stay motivated!
Manage Flare-ups
The damper air in winter can cause skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis to flare up. Cryotherapy can be used, in conjunction with the other methods, to help manage the symptoms by reducing inflammation and enhancing antioxidants. Find out more in our blog here.
