Could ice baths be the coolest way to transform your wellbeing?

Could offering a free ice bath be the latest optional work perk to entice employees to spend more time at their workplace?

It could be another wellbeing tool for employers to consider.

According to the American Psychological Association’s recent “Stress in America” ​​report, as a nation we are still grappling with the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the cost of living crisis and digital transformation are changing our expectations of the workplace.

Why I needed to “relax.”

After shaking off another bout of the virus, I knew I had to approach my wellness differently. That’s why I’ve turned to the ancient practice of thermal water therapy—either mild or chilled, thanks to the local wellness community where I live in Southern California.

During a visit to the German Black Forest at the beginning of the year, I discovered the appeal of thermal water therapy. The small town of Baden-Baden still has strong ties to Roman times, where I visited the ruins of baths from the 2nd century AD.

The use of hot and cold water therapy for healing and relaxation dates back thousands of years, ranging from indigenous practices in the United States to Roman baths to Japanese cleansing rituals.

But there is a ritual that took centuries to reach our land – ice baths, cold-water dives, cryotherapy. I’m not talking about the Coney Island Polar Bear Club (you can plunge into freezing waters in New York year-round if you’re brave enough to take on the challenge). And yes, Native American tribes use cold immersion for their purification ceremonies, while Nordic nations alternate between cold baths and saunas. Japan is also there, with a well-established Shinto ritual involving cleansing with cold water.

A Dutch athlete, Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman,” helped popularize the modern advent of ice bathing. Hof’s multidisciplinary method includes breathing exercises and cold exposure to improve his ability to cope with extreme cold. However, a randomized trial with 42 participants found that this approach had no positive effects on the heart or the psychological parameters tested. But that was a study – what does the upsurge in research say?

What is ice bathing all about?

AI-powered academic search engine Consensus has summarized studies and shows that 80% of respondents support the benefits of ice bathing. However, it’s not for everyone and there are potential downsides.

Cold water immersion has been linked to several benefits, including reduced inflammation, faster physical recovery, and greater mental clarity and resilience. Some studies also suggest that it may play a role in improving mood and relieving stress.

But this is not a closed area. Science points to regular cold water immersion for more lasting benefits—if your doctor gives you permission to do so. According to the research, the optimal time appears to be a 15-minute stay at 59°F.

A wellness market on the rise

According to Persistence Market Research, the global ice bath market is expected to reach half a billion US dollars by 2030. Persistence expects North America to lead the global cold diving market. Our region’s strong wellness culture, high awareness of alternative health practices, and knowledge of fitness and recovery fuel this interest.

My first personal experience with ice baths was during a men’s wellness retreat in Hawaii. Under the guidance of experienced practitioners, I learned techniques for coping with the intense cold and discovered the sense of clarity and resilience it fostered. This first exposure sparked my curiosity about how cold water immersion can go beyond personal well-being and become a valuable tool in the workplace.

Cold water immersion therapy is becoming increasingly popular in both personal wellness and the workplace. Ohio-based Ice Barrel highlights how ice diving promotes teamwork and builds a stronger workplace culture, says founder Wyatt Ewing.

In the United States, ice bath enthusiasts now have plenty of choices for home setups, showing how widespread the practice has become. Diving into workplace wellness programs in cold water could open up new ways to foster team bonding and build resilience. For example, some companies are introducing guided cold water dives as part of their wellness offerings.

Ice baths bring teams together in unique ways, fostering camaraderie and building stronger bonds through shared experiences.

Incorporating moments of gratitude and reflection into everyday team life is becoming increasingly popular as a way to strengthen company culture. Activities such as cold water immersion can also bring teams together and create a more positive atmosphere. Ice baths are a unique way to bring people together.

Combining these rituals with wellness activities like cold water immersion can boost morale and mental clarity while giving teams a shared sense of accomplishment. Gyms and wellness clinics, team bonding sessions, networking events, industry meetings and other corporate events are home to numerous ice slides that strengthen interpersonal relationships.

The future of cold therapy

It’s not just about following a trend; It’s about creating workplaces that are aligned with what employees really need: connection, balance and a chance to thrive. As we consider the future of work, practices like cold water immersion could be a refreshing way to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation—one leap at a time.