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Chris Hemsworth swam in the frigid waters of the Arctic in search of health for his new series “Limitless”.
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Evidence suggests that a daily 30-second cold shower may offer the benefits of cold therapy.
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Regular exercise can be just as good for your overall health as exposure to ice.
Chris Hemsworth surfed and swam in arctic waters to test the limits of human resilience in what he said was one of the toughest experiences of his career.
The “Thor” actor took on the challenge of swimming 250 yards of an icy Nordic fjord without a wetsuit in pursuit of a longer, healthier life for the new National Geographic series “Limitless,” premiering November 16 at Disney+.
To accomplish the feat, he worked with ross edgleyan exercise scientist and extreme athlete, whom Hemsworth described as “one of the fittest humans on the planet”, setting world records in swimming.
the shock of immersing yourself in ice water it has evidence-based benefits for longevity and health, according to Edgley.
“Cold water triggers some extremely powerful survival mechanisms,” he said in the episode. “Controlling the body’s response to cold could have enormous future health benefits.”
While Hemsworth takes on other extreme challenges for the series, including a Navy SEAL-style “drown-proof” testsaid that swimming in the Arctic was the most difficult.
“Halfway through, my brain felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand knives,” he said. men’s diary.
Swimming in icy water is dangerousespecially if you don’t have an expert safety team on staff, as you can risk hypothermia and death.
But you don’t have to dive in the Arctic to get the benefits of cold therapy. Research suggests that routine exposure to cold through smaller and safer doses could increase metabolism, improve energy and mood, and protect the body from some of the side effects of aging. And if you hate the cold, you could get similar effects with just working out regularly.
A quick cold shower can help regulate the immune system to prevent illness
Hemsworth may not be in a hurry to jump back into an icy sea, but by the end of the episode, he changed his daily habits to incorporate more cold therapy, like chilling the last 30 seconds of his showers.
The routine is based on a test 2016l who found that participants who finished their cold showers took fewer sick days at work.
Between 30 seconds and three minutes at around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit may be enough to see benefits, according to research — Arctic excursions are not required.
Ice baths can soothe muscles, but avoid them immediately after a workout to maximize gains.
Hemsworth also relies on ice baths to help with sore muscles. his longtime friend and trainer Luke Zocchi previously told Insider.
Evidence on benefits is mixed: ice may provide some relief from pain and fatigue, but research suggests that it may not actually improve recovery.
Too cold too soon could actually slow muscle gains, Zocchi said, by preventing muscles from rebuilding properly from exercise wear and tear.
Latest Research also suggests that icing may not be helpful for injuries and Muscle painContrary to previous theories.
Regular exercise offers similar benefits without freezing
If you hate the cold, you don’t have to put up with it for your health, as other habits like vigorous physical activity have similar benefits, according to the cleveland clinic.
Exercise it can help improve blood flow, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve mental health, according to evidence.
To relieve muscle soreness and increase gains without freezing, try active recovery in the form of low-impact exercise like walking or biking, personal trainers previously told Insider.
Read the original article at Well-informed person
