Everyone seems to be jumping into the icy water these days. Hollywood stars like Kate Hudson and Hailey Bieber, as well as desi celebrities like Rakul Preet Singh, have touted the benefits of a friendly dip in the cold. Amidst all the hype and purported health benefits — the practice is believed to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relieve stress — BLACKPINK’s Jenny shared the benefits of cold water dips in a recent interview with Vogue, and why they’re actually worth the freezing temperatures. Read also | BLACKPINK’s Jenny breaks her silence on indoor vaping incident
“The soreness and tightness in my body is gone”
The 28-year-old said that South Korea has a very big sauna culture, so she went to the sauna “every day” and it was “natural” for her to plunge into the cold immediately afterwards. She said: “The first time (the cold) was a surprise. But instantly I felt the pain and tightness in my body disappear. And maybe because it was my first time, I was instantly in a good mood and a general emotional release… I often tell myself to toughen up. I tell myself that this is what I want to do, and it’s not for pain, but for liberation.”
Jenny said that every day she challenges herself to endure the cold a few more seconds, adding five seconds here and 10 seconds there. She said she found the practice was “like a reset button” for her body, adding that she “sets the alarm for 2 minutes and 20 seconds” and when the alarm goes off, she can still hold back the cold; then she says to herself, “Let’s see how long I can work today.”
She added: ‘Gradually your body learns to deal with this pain and you feel so proud of yourself… straight away [after cold-plunging] you feel the blood flowing in your body and you feel good. You feel energetic. You feel ready to go! It taught me how to handle stress and helped me overcome challenges, both in my personal life and in my work… It made me believe that I’m tougher than I think.”
What are the benefits of cold plunges?
Ginny says that cold immersion helps her manage the pain after a hard day of performing and reduces pain and stress. But what does science say? Soaking in ice water isn’t easy, but science proves that a cold dip is beneficial.
For starters, a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2018 shows that cold water treatments can help reduce inflammation. A 2015 study published on springer.com reported increased benefits from 11- to 15-minute ice baths.
Are cold plunges safe?
According to a WebMD report, while it’s safe to take cold soaks every day, it’s also possible to overdo it. Jumping into cold water too quickly can shock your body and cause problems with your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and even your mental state. Moreover, if you stay in cold water for too long, your body temperature can drop so low that you get hypothermia. You may also experience numbness or frostbite.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health concerns.
