What is the point of a nice cold bath apart from feeling fully alive? Here are some of the benefits:

• strongly stimulates the immune system
• stimulates the hormonal system
• stimulates the movement of the humours within the body (i.e. the body fluids: blood, lymph, intra- and extra-cellular fluids)
• improves blood and lymphatic circulation
• tightens the skin
• decongests the internal organs and the entire pelvis
• promotes the creation of good brown fats, so dear to France Guillain and the famous "Iceman" Wim Hof
• promotes relaxation and improves sleep (so if your brain keeps you awake at night, take cold baths)
• improves resistance to cold
• greatly improves the condition of people with certain autoimmune diseases, especially those with painful, stiff joints in the morning (in parallel, of course, with changes in diet and daily hygiene, among others)

And even if you're not lucky enough to live near cold water springs in the middle of nature, it's easy to recreate by ending your shower every day with a cold jet (at least five minutes, from the ankles to the top of the body, but do it gradually if you've never done it before: the first time, end with 30 seconds of cold water all over the body, then the next day with a minute, then the next day with 1.5 minutes, and so on).

Take advantage of this summer to experiment with cold water immersion, in natural springs, in the middle of nature, in the elements! Connecting to the elements is also essential for good health. And the little sunbath that will follow, to dry and warm you up, will be an absolute pleasure.

In short, cold water is one of the best allies for supporting the immune system, energy and vitality. But make sure to practice exercises that warm up the body beforehand: specific breathing of the Wim Hof type or "Kapalabhati" in yoga, for example. This will warm up the body from the inside out, as cold should only touch a warm body. So, in the middle of winter, you should never go directly into cold water without preparing and warming up your body first.

Happy immersions!

‍

‍

Original Language: French