An ice bath, also called cold water immersion (CWI), is a recovery technique in which a person immerses their body (usually up to the chest or neck) in cold water typically between 10°C and 15°C (50°F–59°F) for a short period — usually 2 to 10 minutes.
It’s widely used by:
- Athletes (for post-exercise recovery)
- Fitness enthusiasts
- Biohackers and wellness advocates seeking improved mood, energy, or inflammation control
- And increasingly by mental health practitioners exploring stress resilience training