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Chris Hemsworth swam the freezing Arctic Ocean in search of health for his new ‘Limitless’ series.
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Evidence suggests that taking cold showers for 30 seconds daily can provide the benefits of cold air therapy.
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Regular exercise may be just as good for your overall health as exposure to ice.
Chris Hemsworth tested the limits of human resilience by surfing and swimming in the Arctic Ocean. This, he says, was one of his most difficult experiences in his career.
‘Thor’ actor wets 250 yards of icy Nordic fjords in search of a longer and healthier life in new National Geographic series ‘Limitless’, which premieres on Disney+ November 16 I tried swimming without a suit.
To accomplish this feat, he teamed up with athletic scientist and extreme athlete Ross Edgeley, who Hemsworth described as “one of the healthiest humans on the planet” and who set a world record in swimming.
According to Edgley, ice shock has evidence-based benefits for longevity and health.
“Cold water triggers some very powerful survival mechanisms,” he said in the episode. there is.”
Hemsworth tackles other extreme challenges in the series, including Navy SEAL-style “drown-proofing” tests, but he said swimming in the Arctic was the most difficult.
“By the way, my brain felt like it had been stabbed with thousands of knives,” he told Men’s Journal.
Swimming in the frigid sea is dangerous. Especially in the absence of professional safety staff, this is dangerous due to the risk of hypothermia and even death.
But you don’t have to dive into the Arctic Ocean to benefit from cryotherapy. Studies show that regular cold exposure in smaller, safer doses may boost metabolism, improve energy and mood, and protect the body from the side effects of aging. Also, if you don’t like the cold, you can get the same effect just by exercising regularly.
A quick cold shower may help regulate your immune system and ward off illness.
Hemsworth may not be in a rush to dive into the frozen waters again, but by the end of the episode, he’s changed his daily habits to do more, like making the last 30 seconds of his shower ice cold. I adopted a cold treatment for
This routine is based on a 2016 study that found that participants who finished showering with cold water had fewer sick days at work.
Studies have shown that temperatures as low as 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds to 3 minutes may be sufficient. No excursion to the North Pole required.
Ice baths may soothe muscles, but should be avoided immediately after a workout for maximum benefit.
Hemsworth also recommends ice baths to ease sore muscles, his longtime friend and trainer Luke Zocki previously told Insider.
Evidence is mixed about its effectiveness — ice may relieve pain and fatigue, but research suggests that it may not actually improve recovery.
Getting too cold too quickly can actually slow down muscle growth, says Zocki, because it prevents your muscles from properly recovering from the wear and tear of exercise.
Recent research also suggests that icing may not help with injuries or sore muscles, contrary to previous theories.
Regular exercise provides similar benefits without freezing
According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you don’t like colds, you don’t need to endure the cold to be healthy.
Evidence suggests that exercise can help improve blood flow, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and improve mental health.
To ease muscle soreness and boost gains without freezing, try active recovery in the form of low-impact exercise such as walking or biking.
Read the original article on Insider
