All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
My right foot feels it first. That biting, tingly feeling slowly creeps up my leg like a caterpillar up bark. I shut my eyes tight and submerge the rest of my limbs into the cedar barrel filled with four bags of ice. The cubes clink against the sides and slowly melt around me, bringing my body temperature back to bearable. And what originally felt like torture by 1,000 needles starts to feel calming—even pleasant.
Admittedly, my first cold plunge wasn’t to join in on the latest celebrity fad. (A-listers like Harry Styles, Chris Hemsworth, Lady Gaga, and Hailey Bieber all swear by regular cold water immersion.) My first plunge came during a months-long heatwave in Central Vietnam, where I would do anything to get cool, including dipping my toe into this chilly trend.
Cold plunging, or cold water therapy, involves lowering yourself into a body of water with temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The amount of time you spend submerged ranges, and people should consult their doctor before trying, as these sessions can be a serious shock to the body.
Historians theorize that its origins began in ancient Greek and Roman frigidariums or cold baths. Dr. Lubna Khan-Salim, aesthetic surgeon and avid cold plunger, says diving into cold water also has a long history in Scandinavia, where the therapeutic benefits have been touted for centuries. However, its popularity in the wellness industry has only popped up in the last five years or so. “It particularly took hold in lockdown during the global pandemic,” she says. “It was a relatively safe activity for people to do outdoors while social distancing and many people took to social media to share how a cold dip improved their mood and health.”
But data shows this isn’t just a social media craze. Booking companies like Pitchup are seeing a 49 percent increase in winter arrivals. “Last year, we added three new accommodations to Pitchup.com that offer cold plunge wellness experiences—more than we’ve ever listed before,” says Dan Yates, Pitchup.com’s founder.
The health benefits are undeniable, with studies showing it can improve insulin sensitivity, boost dopamine, slow disease progression, lower inflammation, increase metabolism, and reduce stress and anxiety. “Cold water plunging is like an exercise system for the circulatory, hormonal, nervous, and immune system all at once,” says Dr. Marcus Coplin, naturopathic medical doctor and medical director for The Springs Resort. “Recently, I’ve seen a major uptick in the amount of people who want to take a cold water plunge as part of their self-directed health and well-being practice.”
Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan wrote the book (quite literally) on cold plunging, after beginning to swim in the frigid Scottish waters that surrounded them in 2017. Their books The Ripple Effect and Taking The Plunge, among others, dive into the healing powers of “wild swimming” and the sense of community that comes with it. “While researching our books on cold water swimming, we have come across hundreds of people who have experienced incredible health benefits from cold water plunges both mentally and physically,” says Deacon. “I personally found that swimming outdoors helps me a lot with anxiety and an overly busy mind.”
Hotels, lodges, and campsites around the world are also embracing the demand for this growing wellness movement. At NC 500 Pods in the Scottish Highlands, there are cozy camping pods on the outskirts of Achmelvich Beach for wild cold plunges. Over in Ireland, Anantara The Marker Dublin invites guests to book wild swimming sessions where a private car will take them to the blustery Irish Sea to swim with a local seasoned polar plunger.
In the mountains of Vermont, meanwhile, Madbush Falls draws in true adrenaline seekers. Beloved by mountain bikers and skiers, the resort’s 30-foot waterfall cascades into a shallow plunge pool below. At Nimmo Bay Resort in British Columbia, they’ve positioned a cedar hot tub on a floating dock in the bay. Guests can jump from hot to cold for some seriously shocking water therapy.
Across the world, in southern Tasmania, cold water enthusiasts can book their own private island. On Satellite Island, travelers can step out of bed in The Boathouse and dive directly into the D Entrecasteaux Channel. If they can brave the cold waters, they can even hunt for local lobsters.
And in Scandinavia, where they’ve been practicing the new trend for millennia, south Iceland’s Hotel Rangá allows guests to submerge themselves in the icy Rangá River curving along the property. Afterward, they can run into the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.
Venture east to Finland, and you’ll find ice swimming spots in nearly every small town: Kyle Miller, “pack leader” at Flash Pack, goes cold plunging twice a week in a lake near his house in Rovaniemi. Finland itineraries are among the company’s most popular destinations for solo adventurers. “Travelers are looking for new ways to feel rejuvenated in a way that also takes them somewhere as magical as Finland,” says Miller. “We take you to your very own island in the Arctic Circle where you can witness the Aurora Borealis and take part in all the elements of a cold-water plunge, from drilling a hole in the ice to jumping in.” What are you waiting for?
