CALM: BENEFITS OF COLD IMMERSION ON WOMEN'S OVERALL HEALTH FROM SLEEP TO MOOD TO METABOLISM
This is a great practice to weave into your day to day for those of you working with me to bring in potent habits tied into generating a healthy, vibrant CALM phase (where we address nervous system, adrenals and hormone health - mood, energy, sleep, clarity, metabolism, libido).
In naturopathic medicine I fell in love with my first year Hydrotherapy class. I loved the simplicity and potency of using water to support the body to heal and be well. The hydrotherapy sessions I experienced from classmates as we practiced on each other always left me feeling so renewed. My love for this modality had me name my naturopathic practice, Morning Dew Naturopathic Clinic to honour the founder of hydrotherapy Sebastien Kneipp who recommended starting the day supporting your health and longevity by walking in the morning dew. Fun fact: My dad as a sign of support for me and my naturopathic practice (and because he felt the benefits!) made it a daily practice when I launched my business to run around his backyard in the fresh morning dew !
Starting your hydrotherapy journey with finishing your shower with cold is a great way to begin bringing cold water benefits into your life - even 30 seconds at the end and you can work up to 2 minutes over time.
The regular full body cold immersion is certainly the next level and since taking the Wim Hof training it’s surprising to me how much I crave it these days - it brings on such a feeling of well-being I feel like I’m missing something when I skip it!
I do recommend for the cold immersion to take the Wim Hof training if you can. Angela Knox in Cochrane taught my friends and I and I highly recommend her as an instructor.
Key things I appreciated learning in the training:
1. the breathing technique to do before hand (you can follow along with a Wim Hof youtube or get their app to make this even easier.)
2. how long to immerse for - we started with 2 minutes in an ice bath and then Angela monitored us to see how we tolerated it (this right here is the value of in person instruction!)
3. to allow your breath to be soft and easy while your body is immersed in the cold. After about 45 seconds I noticed a calm stillness wash over me and breathing felt truly effortless and easeful.
4. the importance of warming up naturally from the inside out post cold immersion. So you don’t want to hop into a hot shower after but instead generate heat from your own engaged movement and breathing, Angela taught us an exercise where we stood with our feet hip width apart and knees slightly bent and punched our hands out in front of us one arm after the other repeating the sound “ha!”. We did this for half the amount of time we immersed ourselves for - for example we did a 2 minute immersion so we did the exercise for 1 minute. Update: I have officially switched my post-dip warmup to dancing full out to my favourite song 💃 I really enjoy this and it works well to warm me up!
Why do it?! 😅OK, here are just some of the benefits of regular cold water immersion
Decreases inflammation in the body
Activates your metabolism supporting healthy weight
Improves hormonal health.
Decreases cortisol levels, calms the system and fortifies adrenal health
Beneficial to mental health through the hormones it releases
Resets the nervous system (completes the stress response)
Increases growth hormone levels supportive of optimizing women’s metabolism
Improves insulin sensitivity - reducing sugar cravings
Enhances your immune system
Improves sleep in all ways - duration and quality!
Increases energy and a feeling of well-being
Improves mood, memory and clarity of mind
To you feeling your best so you can know the joy of giving your best! 😊
xo, Dr. Monika 🦋
Are you a woman who is a changemaker, teacher, healer, mother or coach whose energy is focussed on supporting others to thrive? Is it easier for you to care for others than yourself at the deepest level? Do you have dreams you aren’t realizing yet?
I. am . here. to. support .you! ♥️I am a naturopathic doctor, intuitive creative and health and happiness life coach with training in feminine power facilitation for awakening women. I work holistically with caring, wise women like yourself so you can lead from within and do the beautiful, powerful work you are here to do while feeling your absolute best physically, mentally and emotionally.
We can’t become our whole self by ourself . I am here to support you in recharging and reseting and fostering an unshakeable connection with your truest self so you can share your unique gifts and shine your light with joy, confidence and without burning out. My intention is that you live with a level of health, calm, confidence and vitality that allows you to stay aligned with your true north and create a life YOU are so proud of and nourished by. I am deeply grateful for what you do and who you are! 👑
