Huffington Post Quotes Dr. Zaslow: Does Cold Plunging Actually Do Anything Or Is It B.S.?

While there is not an exact, one-size-fits-all definition for cold plunging, the water tends to be between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit and is usually done for no more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time, said Dr. Tracy Zaslow, a primary care sports medicine physician at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. However, some people are taking their dunks in temps lower than that, with some showing themselves breaking a layer of ice off the top of their bath before climbing in.

Instead of turning to cold plunging, Zaslow recommends good old-fashioned exercise to help you achieve some of the same perks. “We know that exercise helps with sleep, weight loss, stress management, all of those things … and even pain management with certain components,” Zaslow said.

Instead of cold plunging, she said she emphasizes exercise because of the science-backed benefits that fitness brings. And, as far as cold plunging, more research is needed before the benefits can be solidified.