Could offering a free ice bath plunge be the newest optional work perk to entice employees to spend more time at their workplaces?
It could be another wellbeing tool for employers to consider.
As a nation, we’re still grappling with the stress left in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the American Psychological Association’s most recent Stress in America report. In addition, the cost-of-living crisis and digital transformation are reshaping our expectations of the workplace.
Why I needed to ‘chill’
After shaking off another bout of the virus, I knew I needed to approach my well-being differently. That’s why I turned to the ancient practice of thermal water therapy – either balmy or chilled, thanks to the local wellness community where I live in Southern California.
During a visit to Germany’s Black Forest region earlier this year, I discovered the appeal of thermal water therapy. The small town of Baden Baden still has a lingering connection to Roman times, where I visited the ruins of baths dating back to the 2nd century AD.
The use of hot and cold-water therapy for healing and relaxation dates back thousands of years, from Indigenous practices in the U.S. to Roman baths and Japanese purification rituals.
But there’s one ritual that’s taken centuries to reach our nation – ice baths, cold-water plunges, cryotherapy. I’m not talking about the Coney Island Polar Bear Club (you can plunge into frigid waters in New York year-round if you’re brave enough for the challenge). And yes, Native American tribes use cold immersion for their purification ceremonies, while Nordic nations have been braving alternating cold baths and saunas. Japan is also in on it, with a well-established Shinto ritual involving cold water purification.
A Dutch athlete, Wim Hof, aka ‘The Iceman,’ has helped popularize the modern advent of ice bathing. Hof’s multidisciplinary method includes breathing exercises and cold exposure to boost his ability to handle extreme cold. However, a randomized study involving 42 participants found this approach did not lead to positive effects on heart or psychological parameters tested. But that was one study—what does the groundswell of research say?
What’s the deal with ice bathing?
The AI-powered academic search engine, Consensus, has summarized studies to reveal that 80% supported the benefits of ice bathing. However, it’s not for everyone, and there are potential downsides.
Cold-water immersion has been linked to several benefits, including reduced inflammation, faster physical recovery, and sharper mental clarity and resilience. Some studies also suggest it could play a role in improving mood and alleviating stress.
But this isn’t one-and-done territory. Science points to regular cold-water immersion to reap the benefits more consistently – if your physician gives you the go-ahead to do so. According to the research, the sweet spot seems to be a 15-minute stint at 59°F.
A wellness market on the rise
According to Persistence Market Research, the global ice-bath market is projected to reach half a billion dollars by 2030. Persistence expects North America to lead the global cold plunge market. Our region’s robust wellness culture, high awareness of alternative health practices and knowledge about fitness and recovery are driving that interest.
My first personal experience with ice baths came during a men’s wellness retreat in Hawaii. Guided by experienced practitioners, I learned techniques to manage the intense cold and discovered the sense of clarity and resilience it fostered. That initial exposure sparked my curiosity about how cold-water immersion could transcend personal well-being and become a valuable tool in workplace settings.
Cold-water immersion therapy is becoming more popular in both personal wellness and workplace settings. Ohio-based Ice Barrel highlights how ice plunges foster teamwork and build a stronger workplace culture, says founder Wyatt Ewing.
In the U.S., ice bath enthusiasts now have plenty of choices for in-home setups, showing how mainstream this practice has become. Bringing cold-water immersion into workplace wellness programs could open new ways to encourage team bonding and build resilience. Some companies, for instance, are introducing guided cold-water immersion sessions as part of their wellness offerings.
Ice baths uniquely bring teams together, fostering camaraderie and building stronger connections through shared experiences.
Adding moments of gratitude and reflection to team routines is becoming a popular way to strengthen workplace culture. Activities like cold-water immersion can also bring teams together and create a more positive atmosphere. Ice baths are a unique way to bring people together.
Combining these rituals with wellness activities like cold-water immersion can boost morale and mental clarity while giving teams a shared sense of achievement. Banks of ice plunges are found in gyms and wellness clinics, team-bonding sessions, networking events, industry gatherings and other corporate events, enhancing human connection.
The future of cold therapy
This isn’t just about following a trend; it’s about creating workplaces that align with what employees truly need: connection, balance, and a chance to thrive. As we rethink the future of work, practices like cold-water immersion may offer a refreshing way to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation—one plunge at a time.