Richard Chin, Star Tribune (minneapolis) Published 5:55 p.m. ET Feb. 11, 2020 <\/p>\n
Ponce de Leons search for the fountain of youth in Florida is just a legend.<\/p>\n
But about 1,500 miles to the north, in the icy waters of Cedar Lake in Minneapolis, dozens of people think theyve found the next best thing.<\/p>\n
On a recent Sunday around 9:30 a.m., a diverse group of about 20 people dressed in swimsuits trekked to a spot near the shore on the west side of the lake and immersed themselves in an 8-by-12-foot rectangular hole cut in the ice. Later in the day, another group of people gathered to do the same thing.<\/p>\n
This isnt a once-a-year, get-in, get-out, New Years Day plunge for Instagram bragging rights.<\/p>\n
Throughout the winter, biohackers maintain a hole in the ice chopped into Cedar Lake in Minneapolis in the belief that regular cold water immersions make them healthier.(Photo: Richard Tsong-Taatarii \/ TNS)<\/p>\n
This is something that happens every Sunday throughout the winter.<\/p>\n
Some people come several times a week, and stay for a good, long soak of five, 10, 15 minutes or more. Except for the knit hats, they look like they could be relaxing in a hot tub as they stand in water that ranges from waist- to neck-deep.<\/p>\n
Called cold therapy or cold thermogenesis, ice-water bathing is a practice that biohackers and assorted others believe makes them healthier.<\/p>\n
The Twin Cities Cold Thermogenesis Facebook group, which was created in 2016, claims the frigid dips do everything from increase testosterone in men to boosting brown adipose tissue. (The so-called brown fat or good fat may be helpful in combating obesity because it burns calories to create heat.)<\/p>\n
Cold-water immersion also strengthens the immune system, according to Svetlana Vold, a part-time firefighter and ultramarathon winter bike racer from St. Louis Park, who organizes the Sunday morning cold-immersion session.<\/p>\n
Vold and others say chilling out in the water combats inflammation, helps them sleep better and improves their focus and endurance. Some said theyre inspired by Wim The Iceman Hof, a Dutchman famous for his breathing and cold exposure technique called the Wim Hof Method.<\/p>\n
The Cedar Lake group would probably meet the approval of David Sinclair, a Harvard genetics professor and longevity expert who thinks that cold exposure may help slow the aging process.<\/p>\n
Maria OConnell, the organizer of the afternoon session, has been immersing herself in an ice-filled horse trough in her backyard since 2011. Initially its a little uncomfortable, she said. You end up getting better the more you do it.<\/p>\n
But many say the frigid dunks are a mood-altering, even pleasurable experience.<\/p>\n
It hurts so damn good, said Stephen McLaughlin, a 61-year-old Minneapolis resident. You are just completely present.<\/p>\n
It makes me happy. I think its adrenaline, said Allison Kuznia, 42, of Minneapolis.<\/p>\n
Its kind of a treat to go out and get really cold, said Nick White, 46, of Minneapolis. It gives you a feeling of euphoria.<\/p>\n
Read or Share this story: https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/life\/wellness\/2020\/02\/11\/soaking-frozen-lake-secret-good-health\/41217451\/<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Link: Richard Chin, Star Tribune (minneapolis) Published 5:55 p.m. ET Feb. 11, 2020 Ponce de Leons search for the fountain of youth in Florida is just a legend. Continue reading
\nIs soaking in a frozen lake the secret to good health? - The Detroit News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"