Psychologist says cold plunges may not be best option if you're feeling low

A psychologist has revealed the dramatic difference taking a "cold plunge" and having a warm bath can have on your body and mindset whilst you're in fight-or-flight mode. Dr

Nicole LePera explained that whilst cooler temperatures are especially effective if you have a high window of tolerance in your nervous system, you should always seek warmth in times of

complex trauma, burnout and stress. "If your nervous system is already stuck in a sympathetic state, cold water creates more dysregulation in your body," she explained in a video.

"It raises cortisol levels and it floods your body with adrenaline." Conversely, however, warm water "activates your parasympathetic nervous system" known as a "rest

and digest" state. Working in the opposite way, this lowers cortisol and calms your vagus nerve, which helps regulate essential involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and

digestion. Dr LePera continued, explaining the science behind the process. "Instead of shocking the body like a cold plunge does, it [heat] signals that your body is safe." She

went on to recommend adding Epsom salt to the bath, as our bodies absorb magnesium through the skin - and warm water enhances that absorption as it increases circulation and skin

permeability. "This is one of the most accessible ways to regulate your nervous system," she noted, point out that magnesium works by calming overactive nerves, reducing

inflammation and supports neurotransmitters that promote relaxation. Dr LePera closed by explaining that prenatally we come from warm fluid in the womb, which has set a baseline for what

safety feels like. "So when we go into warm water, we're not just relaxing," she said. "We are returning to something that is primal and familiar - we're reminding

our nervous system of our original state of calm, connection and regulation. Warm water isn't just relaxing, it's ancestral." Writing in response, one TikTok user declared:

"So glad I listened to my body and never did cold plunges. I hate the cold it’s literally traumatising for me to be cold so I never tried that. I’ve been stuck in fight/flight for over

30 years." A second person penned: "I’ve always felt cold plunges have never felt good. A warm bath feels calming, makes me sleepy, add a projector, mag salts and candles is nice!

I look forward to it vs. dread about cold plunges." A third individual explained: "As a stressed migraine sufferer you don't know how many people a health professionals have

insisted I need to do cold plunging. Turns out I have migraines that restrict blood flow so cold water was not good." Whilst a fourth TikTok user shared her experience: "When I

escaped from my abusive ex, I would do Epsom salt baths regularly and it made a huge difference in my healing and calming." However, a fifth disagreed with the advice, explaining:

"I find the opposite to be true. Its like I'm in this state of anxiety and no where to direct that energy so it lingers and builds. I get in cold water that energy is then directed

and released and I feel better calmer afterwards and anxiety is reduced." GET MORE NEWS FROM SURREYLIVE STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX FOR FREE HERE. _Join our new WhatsApp community! Click

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