Starting the day with primal power, jumping out of bed and thinking YES! That's what we all want. To boost this feeling, we're seeing the rise of cold training. Besides the ancient power of algae, at plnktn, we're also big fans of the primal feeling a cold water dip gives us.
What is cold training?
This involves exposing your body to cold temperatures. Think of a cold shower, an ice bath, or a swim/dip in natural water. There are physiological effects, such as the potential improvement of blood circulation and the stimulation of the immune system. For us at plnktn, it's a way to extend the primal power of plankton into an experience and create mental resilience. Experiencing the primal feeling.
Health is not just about what you eat, but also about routines, habits, and moments that make you stronger. Cold training, breathing, and proper nutrition are powerful tools for this.
The origin of the plnktn Dip
A few years ago, plnktopper Iris organized the first plnktn dip on a cold Wednesday morning. Together with colleagues and anyone who wanted to join, we dove into the water. Besides baking energy cookies, she brought thermoses of coffee and tea, and that's how the plnktn Sip & Dip was born.
At plnktn, we believe in the ancient power of algae as a kickstarter for a good day. After a dip, we feel invincible. To inspire more people to experience this primal power, we organized the plnktn dip. Over 50 plnktn subscribers and ambassadors plunged into the natural water at the Zeeburgerkade in Amsterdam.
For anyone who wants to know more about dipping and couldn't be there, we've compiled our explanation below. Read along!
The power of warmth and cold
The combination of warmth and cold is a stimulus for your body, which helps you better cope with stress and temperature changes. Before entering the water, we therefore warmed up with a sauna session.
First the sauna - why warmth?
It's an ancient ritual. All over the world, from Finland to Japan, people use warmth to recharge and reset their bodies.
What happens when you go into the sauna?
- Your body temperature rises. Your body responds by sweating, which helps dissipate heat and regulate your body temperature.
- Your circulation speeds up. Due to the warmth, your blood vessels dilate (vasodilation), allowing blood to be transported better throughout your body. This can contribute to relaxation and muscle recovery. That's why you often see people go to the sauna after exercising.
- Your nervous system switches to relaxation. The sauna activates your parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of your nervous system responsible for relaxation. Many people therefore experience a calm and relaxed feeling after a sauna session.
Please note in the sauna:
- Listen to your body. Do you feel dizzy or uncomfortable? Get out of the sauna.
- Drink enough water (all day). You lose a lot of fluids through sweating; it's important to keep replenishing this.
- Don't stay too long. 10-15 minutes is enough, then it's time for the cold!
And then... cold training!
Why go from warmth directly to cold? This extreme contrast challenges your body. What happens in cold water?
- Unlike warmth, cold constricts your blood vessels. This is because your body tries to retain heat by contracting your blood vessels, also called vasoconstriction.
- You'll notice your breathing quickens. The cold triggers a stress response, activating your sympathetic nervous system, which makes your breathing faster. By breathing calmly and deeply and exhaling slowly, you calm your nervous system and regain control.
- Your body warms up. You can stay in the water for about a minute until you calm down. You'll often find that after 30 seconds, your body starts to warm up from the inside. You'll also experience this when you get out of the water.
How do you deal with the cold?
- Keep breathing calmly. Focus on slow, deep breathing (for example, box breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds)
- Stay in the water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. You'll notice when your body adjusts.
- Warm up gradually. Immediately put on warm clothes and drink something warm. Avoid a hot shower immediately after the dip.
- After dipping, you can do some movement exercises to help your body warm up.
Do you want to join the plnktn dip on Wednesdays? Send us a message and join!