Take the Plunge: Why Cold Tub Therapy Works — Especially in Summer
At Optimum Health, we’re always looking for ways to help our patients recover faster, feel better, and build long-term resilience. One of our favorite tools for doing exactly that — especially during the summer — is cold tub therapy.
But cold immersion isn’t just a trendy wellness practice. It’s a science-backed recovery tool with real physiological benefits. Here’s why it works, and how to get started.
What Is Cold Tub Therapy?
Cold tub therapy involves immersing your body in water between 45–55°F for a set period of time — typically anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes. The goal? To create a temporary, controlled stressor that helps your body bounce back stronger.
It’s not just for athletes. Cold immersion can benefit anyone dealing with muscle soreness, fatigue, stress, or disrupted sleep — especially during the high-activity months of summer.
How Cold Therapy Supports Recovery and Resilience
1. Reduces Soreness and Inflammation
Cold exposure causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to inflamed tissues. This can ease muscle soreness and speed up recovery after intense activity, whether you’ve been running, lifting, hiking, or chasing your kids around in the heat.
2. Trains the Nervous System
Cold therapy stimulates your vagus nerve, which helps calm the fight-or-flight response. Over time, this kind of exposure improves your ability to handle physical and emotional stress — something we could all use a little help with.
3. Boosts Mood and Energy
Cold immersion activates dopamine and norepinephrine pathways — key players in energy, alertness, and mood regulation. You’ll often feel a boost immediately after your session.
4. Improves Sleep Quality
By regulating your core temperature and activating the parasympathetic nervous system, cold exposure can help promote deeper, more restorative sleep — especially useful during hot nights when sleep is disrupted.
Why Summer Is the Best Time to Start
With increased activity levels, hotter temperatures, and often less consistent sleep, summer is a perfect time to try cold tub therapy. It’s not just refreshing — it’s therapeutic.
Even a few minutes in cold water can offer a dramatic contrast from summer heat and help regulate your energy and recovery as your schedule ramps up.
Bonus: Combine It with Sauna for Contrast Therapy
Our cold tub sessions are held in a private room that also includes access to a dry sauna. That means you can combine heat + cold for an effect known as contrast therapy — an incredibly effective tool for circulation, lymphatic movement, and nervous system balance.
Sessions at Optimum Health are 30 to 60 minutes long, giving you time to alternate between the sauna and cold tub or simply relax and reset.
How to Book a Cold Tub Session at Optimum Health
Available in-clinic in Inver Grove Heights
Sessions are 30 or 60 minutes
Includes access to both cold tub and sauna
Towels, changing area, and all essentials provided
Book solo or bring a friend
Ready to Take the Plunge?
Cold therapy isn’t about just toughing it out — it’s about helping your body and mind bounce back stronger. Whether you’re new to recovery tools or looking to level up your wellness routine, the cold tub is a powerful place to start.
