Around this time of year, it is quite common for people to lose motivation in their daily routine and feel quite depressed. It feels like time is dragging on slow with the frigid, cold temperatures and dark evenings. But what if I told you that you could actually use the cold to combat those symptoms of drowsy and sad seasonal depression? Come to find out, submerging or showering yourself in cold water for a short period of time (2-3 minutes) on a daily basis can actually counter depression symptoms by promoting the production of noradrenaline and beta-endorphin in your brain. But, as with any experimental remedy, please contact your physician before using cold water therapy to make sure it is a safe method for you personally.
The neurotransmitter and hormone noradrenaline is a chemical your brain that produces in response to stress. Those with depression, or those experiencing depressive symptoms, typically produce lower levels of this chemical. They feel a lack of energy, may experience poor memory, and have trouble controlling their emotions. By dunking or showering yourself in unpleasantly cold water, your nervous system fires countless signals to your brain that overwhelm it and stress it out. This is what causes the noradrenaline to produce at higher levels. Your energy will increase and the chances of you feeling depressive symptoms throughout the day will diminish.
Beta-endorphin is another hormone that is produced in the brain. It is known for producing a sense of well-being and regulating mood, responses to pain, and energy levels. It is also released in the brain as a response to stress, but also during exercise. Therefore, the experience of submerging your body in cold water stresses out the nervous system and increases the production of this hormone. Similar to noradrenaline, your energy will increase, your mood and sense of well-being will regulate, and you will feel less depressed.
It is important to remember though, that in order to utilize cold water therapy to reduce your depressive symptoms, you have to be consistent with it. Research shows that it could take those with depressive symptoms multiple days or weeks of participating in cold water therapy to have a noticeable difference in their mood. But I believe it is worth a try especially because cold water therapy has other health benefits such as metabolism regulation, improved blood circulation, and the reduction of muscle soreness and inflammation. Remember to contact your physician before giving cold water therapy a try to be sure exposure to cold or cool water will not harmfully react with any pre-existing conditions.
If you wish to learn more about other strategies to tackle your depressive symptoms, please call Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000 to book either an in-person or telehealth appointment with one of our many qualified therapists! We are located in Tinley Park, Illinois at 6819 – 167th St. We would be happy to help you!
Myleigh, undergrad intern, 2025
Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc.
CounselingMatters.live 
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