Ice baths and cold showers, aside from their transient unpleasantness might hopefully bestow upon us a range of benefits including invigorating our mood, promoting resilience and enhancing our immune systems. But there is a potential downside if the blood supply to our toes starts to ice up. Cold extremities are not good for sleep. Kenneth Diller, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Texas, explains that our body temperature directs our sleep cycle and we rest more easily when our central area is cooler and our periphery is warm.
To get ready for sleep our bodies need to cool down and this happens when our hands and feet are warm enabling blood to flow to these areas more easily, allowing heat to escape from our core, which then winds down and tranquillity ensues. A drop in temperature tells our brain that it longer needs to stay alert and can safely nod off. Cold feet make it more difficult for heat to escape and for rest to ensue.
Taking a hot bath or shower is one way for our hands and feet to heat up. Wearing socks is another means for keeping our feet warm. What I’ll have is come up with a strategy for having a cold shower without exposing my feet, which will pose a real challenge to my balance and flexibility skills.
