What are the benefits of cold exposure
Sources:
Cold exposure offers several benefits, as outlined by :
- Boosts Metabolism and Brown Fat Stores: Enhances the body's ability to stay warm and reduce inflammation, resulting in resilience 1.
- Increases Dopamine: A study in the European Journal of Physiology found a robust, long-lasting 2.5 times increase in baseline dopamine levels, which appears to be a healthy and non-addictive way to elevate mood and alter the perception of time during cold exposure 1.
- Enhances Mood and Focus: The long-lasting increase in catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) from cold exposure leads to substantial improvements in mood and focus throughout the day 2.
- Stress Inoculation: Can be used to build mental resilience and toughen the mind against real-life stressors by suppressing sympathetic nervous system activation 3.
- Healthy Dopamine Release: Rosalie's neurochemical responses without significant elevation in cortisol, promoting what is called eustress—the positive stress that can lead to health benefits 4.
- Converts Fat Cells: Converts white fat cells, which are energy-storing cells, into thermogenic beige or brown fat cells that help increase core body temperature and metabolism 5.
- Reduces Inflammation: Helps reduce inflammation post-exercise and generally 5.
The above benefits of cold exposure underline its multifaceted impact on mental acuity, metabolism, mood, and physical resilience, provided it is done safely.
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