Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need?
Bring swimwear and a towel.
You may also want to wear loose/warm clothing for ease of dressing during the ‘warm up’ afterwards. If you have booked a standard dip, you may want to bring a drink (cold or warm). Towel ponchos are available, but you will need your own towel (s) for drying off.
Arrive plunge ready
There are no shower facilities, so please don’t come straight from intense exercise. Whilst the ice bath uses a filtration system to keep the water clean for commercial use, we would like to be respectful to all our clients and keep the water as pure and clean as possible.
Mindset and expectation
Deliberate cold exposure is a mental challenge. Your brain is designed to keep you alive, so it has a natural reaction when your body encounters cold water. Cold water therapy is partly about learning how to manage your reaction during the dip (as well as the benefits you experience afterwards).
It may be worth thinking about a goal or mantra before the session to keep you focussed on why YOU deserve the benefits of cold water exposure. Music can also act as a focus tool, you can pick your preference for the dip if you wish to.
Where is ‘Cold Plunge Chesterfield’ located?
We are based in ‘The Nest: Therapy and Wellness hub’, South Place in Chesterfield town centre (S40 1SZ). Please see the Location page and contact us if you have any questions.
What to expect
Before each session clients must make sure that they have carefully read and completed the health declaration forms. Your appointment selection and past experience with the ice bath with dictate your appointment and advice given. Our cold water practitioners will always induct new clients and support them to ensure the plunge pool is used effectively and safely.
The majority of clients should aim to plunge for no more than a few minutes.
You will be submerged up to the neck (head always out of the water) in a specially cooled and filtered tub.
Hypothermia
Frostbite or hypothermia may occur if someone stays in the ice bath for a prolonged amount of time. Clients should slowly build up time spent in an ice bath. Research shows it takes approximately 4-6 sessions to begin to develop a physical tolerance. A mental tolerance if different, and can be controlled by the individual.
After-drop
This condition occurs when clients warm up too quickly after an ice bath, causing their blood pressure to drop. Clients will be advised on the safest way to warm up and will have the opportunity to do so in the appointment time. Therefore, we advise that clients should refrain from hot baths, showers or saunas shortly after their appointment. The clinic room will be private and warm and provide a space to safely warm up.
Cold water shock
Cold water shock is a natural bodily response to cold water that all clients will experience. It is a natural autonomic response. The main behavioural change clients may notice is a sharp intake of breath on entrance to the water, followed by rapid breathing which will settle as your mind and body adjust. It is important to be aware of this natural reaction so that it does not cause worry or distress.
Each session needs to have these 3 elements
1) Mindset and breath prep
2) The cold plunge
3) The ‘warm up’
Whilst clients may be focussed on the ice bath alone, the preparation and ‘warm up’ will also be important elements to your appointment.
A little bit of simple science….
Research is constantly being published about the benefits of deliberate cold water exposure, but here is a very simple summary of some recent benefits. See ‘Cold Plunge’ website for more information.
- Cross- over effect (The plunge releases adrenalin and the mind/body learns to react to this. This reaction then transfers to ‘real life’ and allows us to function effectively with the inevitable expected and unexpected stressors or trauma we may experience in life)
- Anxiety/ Depression (The breathing and mindfulness needed to stay in cold water means we have to be totally present. Large amounts of dopamine are released during cold water exposure)
- Recovery (Assists with inflammation through muscle injury or conditions like autoimmune disorders)
- Activation of brown fat (metabolism)
- Polyvagal stimulation (parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous system stimulation)
- Sharp and focussed mind
- Improved sleep
If you have any other questions, please get in touch.