Cold Plunge Protocol

Enhances Mood 

When the body is exposed to cold water, it responds by releasing endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers and mood elevators. This can lead to a happier and more positive mood, as well as lower symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress! Cold water therapy also activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase the production of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine that acts as a natural mood stabilizer.

Fosters Mindfulness 

The shock of cold water demands immediate attention, pulling the mind away from distractions and into the present moment. Setting an intention before your plunge, and regulating your breath to move through the discomfort helps train your mind and body to have a different relationship with stress. With practice, you may find yourself being less reactive in triggering situations and instead, going right to slowing down your breath to feel more calm and balanced. 

Regulates Hormones 

Cold plunging causes blood vessels to constrict, which in turn improves circulation. This can be beneficial for hormone health, as proper blood flow is essential for the transport of hormones throughout the body. However, women should avoid cold plunging when they are on or close to their period and keep their practice to the follicular or ovulation phase, and opt for warmer modalities like sauna, redlight therapy, or moxibustion when close to the bleed. 

Boosts Lymphatic System Function

Think of your lymphatic system like a clean-up crew in your body. It helps remove waste and toxins to keep you healthy. Cold plunging can actually give your lymphatic system a big boost. When you submerge into cold water, your blood vessels constrict and get smaller. Then, when you warm up again, they open up more than usual. This 'pumping' action helps move lymph fluid around your body more efficiently and therefore improves detoxification, swelling and inflammation, and immune function. 

Based on the information you provide in the intake form you will receive: 

1. Ways ally with your breath, work with resistance, and enhance your relationship with the cold.
2. Safety practices before, during, and after your ice bath or cold shower.
3. A detailed application of cold therapy that works WITH your hormonal cycles instead of against them.
4. How to apply cold therapy to get the most out of your workouts and fitness goals.
5. A four-week regimen to begin or deepen your cold plunge practice. 
6. A private ice bath facilitation done virtually. 

Yes! All humans have hormonal cycles. When we override our hormones and attempt to “power through” without breaks, we trigger our body’s stress response. 

The stress response is not a problem, as long as we take action to end the cycle. But if we live in constant emergency mode, all of our other body processes are compromised.

Your cold plunge protocol will have several ways to engage with this modality that support each phase of your body's natural cycles. 

No ice bath? No problem! We can customize your protocol so you still get the benefits of cold therapy by ending your warm showers with a few minutes of cold water.

Once you receive your custom Cold Plunge Protocol, it's time to put it into action!

On the day of the facilitation, you'll  set up your phone or laptop to be hands-free and have your tub or plunge prepared with ice.

Together we'll set an intention, do some breathing exercises to prepare, and I'll guide you through an ice journey.

There will be space after to warm up and integrate anything from your experience. 

Swimsuits are required.