What Is The Use Of Putting Your Feet In Cold Water?

When we are in winter we think about getting home, drinking something warm and putting our feet in a bucket with warm water and some essences or oils if we had a tiring day. However, it is best to put your feet in cold water

This study carried out by the SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (India) has revealed that to enjoy better benefits… we must use cold water! Yes, also when the external temperatures are close to 0 ºC.

Learn about the properties of this treatment in this article.

Feet in cold water and beneficial results

Do not worry. You will only have to submerge them for 15 seconds (just enough to avoid getting sick). This home remedy is really simple and has many properties.

You just have to put your feet in cold water. If it were summer, with all my pleasure. But what happens in winter? It is then that the truly brave appear.

Beyond the jokes, the truth is that this technique has been recommended by natural medicine for its fantastic results. It must be repeated for 15 days in a row to enjoy its properties.

Put cold tap water in a container large enough for both feet to fit comfortably. The feet must go completely into the container.

Then add a few ice cubes to cool it even more. The proportion is 18 cubes for every 2 liters of water. When the ice begins to melt and the liquid volume of the container increases, that is when you should introduce your feet.

Try to hold on for 15 seconds. At first the effect is very cold but before removing them you will have gotten used to it.

Also, by repeating this method every day your feet will not feel the change in temperature as much.

Once the recommended time has passed, remove and dry with a towel, wrapping well to return the heat. Finally, put on some cotton or wool socks (the thickest you have) and go to sleep.

Repeat the technique every night for a full two weeks.

What is the use of putting your feet in cold water?

We have already given you a hint of one of its advantages: strengthening the immune system, in addition to the cardiovascular one, according to this study carried out by the Academic Medical Center (Amsterdam). 

Contrary to what is believed, for our defenses to be ready to take care of the attacks of viruses and bacteria they must “train”.

How? Exposing you to a similar situation (as with vaccines).

When our immune system knows how to cope with changes in the temperature of the feet, it has the ability to avoid all kinds of cold-related diseases. It should be noted that the feet are the first to cool down in winter or when it rains.

The explanation in these cases is the following: when we remove our feet from the frozen water they need “new” or clean blood to increase the temperature as soon as possible. This reaction of the body may be what we need to avoid inflammation, pain and other problems.

In turn, it allows the lower muscles to be invigorated by filling with oxygen and the cells to function better.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not cold water (or the low temperatures that feet experience) that heal. But what the body must do to produce heat and reverse this “dangerous” situation.

What if I submerge my whole body?

One of grandmother’s remedies when someone has a high fever is to put them in a tub of cold water. Some may think that it is a very drastic solution, but that is the way they had in the past to reduce body temperature.

The same effect that we have indicated for the feet happens with the body in general. However,  in this case we must bear in mind that we cannot take too long to “return” the heat to the body or we will end up sick and that if we suffer from any type of illness, we must first consult with the doctor.

Cold water properly applied to the skin “awakens” the body’s functions, eliminates fever and fills us with energy.

The bath constricts the blood vessels to help them be more elastic.

We don’t have to fully immerse ourselves in frozen or low-temperature water. It is more convenient to do it little by little, in parts. The “violent” way has effects that can be very dangerous for the lungs and the heart.

Then the feet are recommended first, then the legs and so on until reaching the neck. The head is always left out of the water. We should do something similar when we go to the sea or a pool on vacation.

Try it!

The cold water feet technique also helps women who wear uncomfortable heels or shoes all day. It is even for those who work standing or sitting for several hours and when they get home they need something to relax their feet.

Similarly, people who suffer from swelling or fluid accumulation in the ankles and insteps will see a great change in their body as soon as they begin to put their feet in cold water. Also, those who suffer from varicose veins.

Go for a frozen “dip” to avoid getting sick and enjoy good health. Do not forget that the colder the water, the greater the caloric work the body will have to do, but also the more effective reactions it will carry out.