Cold therapy offers a whole host of amazing benefits. But, figuring out how to properly practice cold therapy can feel a little daunting.

Thankfully, harnessing the rejuvenating powers of the cold doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, if you want to make cold therapy a part of your regular routine, we’re here to help you take the plunge.

Up next, we’ll discuss 5 simple ways to incorporate cold exposure training into your lifestyle. We’ll discuss various methods for practicing cold therapy at home and offer insight into how the Ice Barrel can help you live your best life.

1. Take a Cold Shower

Out of all the ways to make cold exposure training a part of your routine, taking a cold shower is by far the easiest. 

However, it’s important to note that cold therapy is slightly more involved than just standing in a really cold shower. While taking a 2 to 3 minute long cold shower can offer a number of benefits, most folks use cold showers as part of contrast hydrotherapy.

Contrast hydrotherapy is simply the practice of alternating between hot and cold water. To use contrast hydrotherapy in the shower, try the following:

• Relax in hot water for 3 minutes
• Stand in cold water for 1 minute
• Repeat the process 3 or more times
• Finish your hydrotherapy cycle with cold water

Ultimately, contrast hydrotherapy can be a great way to help you get used to the cold from the comfort of your own home.

2. Head Outside

If you’re looking to spend more time in nature, heading outside as part of your cold therapy might be a great idea. In fact, the winter months often provide the frigid temperatures you need to find a cold therapy solution in the great outdoors.

Perhaps the easiest way to enjoy some of the health and wellness benefits of cold weather is to go for a long walk or hike in your local park. 

Alternatively, if you’re feeling a bit bold, you could consider making wild swimming a part of your routine. A quick swim in a cold lake can be a superb outdoor-orientated way to start cold therapy. 

However, wild swimming can be risky for people with certain health conditions. So, talk with your doctor to ensure it’s right for you. 

3. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a relatively new form of cold therapy. At its simplest, “cryotherapy” is the act of exposing yourself to extreme cold (think -148ºF/-100ºC cold) for a few minutes at a time.

Most people who use cryotherapy do so to recover after a hard workout. Meanwhile, others use it as part of a weight-loss program or to help them manage chronic pain.

You can find cryotherapy clinics in many major cities. Most offer some a membership package or you can often pay for a single session, which will generally cost you between $40 and $75.

If you do choose to use cryotherapy, though, be sure to discuss your plans with your doctor before your first session to ensure that you don’t have any health issues that could be exacerbated by the cold.

4. Make Your Own Cold Tub

Cold tubs have long been a popular method for cold therapy, particularly among athletes. 

The concept with cold tubs is simple: You fill up the tub with cold or icy water and then soak yourself in the tub for about 3 to 10 minutes. However, you may need to start small with 1 to 2 minute-long sessions until your body gets used to the cold.

If you have a bathtub at home, you can often use that for cold tub therapy. Alternatively, a retrofitted livestock tank or some other type of container could also serve as a cold tub in a pinch.

5. Contrast Training With the Ice Barrel

The fifth and final cold therapy method that you ought to consider is the Ice Barrel.

The Ice Barrel is an innovative and unique way to make cold therapy a part of your routine. As the name suggests, the Ice Barrel is shaped like a barrel, which allows you to comfortably sit upright during your cold therapy. Then, when it’s time to take the plunge, you simply need to fill up the Ice Barrel with ice and water before jumping in for a few minutes.

When compared to a standard cold tub, the Ice Barrel offers a number of key benefits. 

First and foremost, it’s compact enough for use in smaller homes and apartments that don’t already have a bathtub. Plus, the Ice Barrel is designed to be both low-maintenance and aesthetically appealing. As an added bonus, it’s also substantially more affordable than cryotherapy in the long term, so it’s a solid choice if you think that you want to make cold therapy a part of your regular routine.

Embrace The Cold: Make Cold Therapy A Part Of Your Life

At the end of the day, there are many ways to introduce cold therapy into your life. Regardless of which method you choose, what’s important is that you find a way that works for your routine. But, if you’re looking for a simple and convenient way to recover and revitalize with cold therapy, the Ice Barrel is hard to beat.