The benefits of cold weather alleviate anxiety: a study proves it

Did you know that ice can alleviate anxiety and help you feel better?

Welcome back to the Dispotech blog!

Today we are going to talk about the correlation between anxiety and the benefits of cold: did you know that ice can alleviate anxiety and help you feel better?

A study conducted in the United States has demonstrated the calming effect of ice on anxiety in children and teenagers. An ice pack has all-round therapeutic functions.

Let’s explore this interesting discovery through an article published on the rapidaid.com website.

Anxiety is one of the primary feelings that every human being possesses in his or her emotional background.

Despite what one might think, it plays a very important role: anxiety recognizes and responds to dangerous situations and threats, and is therefore part of our lives.

An excessive amount of anxiety, however, can make those who perceive it feel bad. Constant anxiety lowers the quality of life and should be treated by specialists who deal with mental health – as important as physical health.

A study conducted in the United States found that anxiety is a rampant feeling amongst children and teenagers: 1 out of 12 children and 1 out of 4 teenagers in the United States suffers from mental health disorders – disorders that are often underestimated and left untreated. The effects of a lack of specialised treatment can have a tragic impact on the lives of these youth: at school, in social relationships, in their health condition in general, and can lead them to isolate themselves and live in solitude.

Anxiety must therefore be recognised and immediately treated with the most suitable means.

As already mentioned at the beginning of the article, it was discovered that the benefits of ice can be an excellent method for dealing with moments of anxiety. The use of ice, applied with ice packs and gel packs, fits in with various scientific studies that have shown a correlation between body temperature and mood management.

Exposure to cold, in fact, stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that help create feelings of well-being, counteracting the chemical imbalances that occur in situations of anxiety.

Cold also affects the functioning of the vagus nerve and helps to create a feeling of calmness in human beings.

The benefits of ice act on the vagus nerve

The vagus nerve is one of the main nerve fibers in our body: it controls the functioning of the heart, digestion, mood and reflexes. It is the longest of the 12 pairs in the skull and runs from the brain to the large intestine.

The vagus nerve is the backbone of the parasynthetic nervous system, whose responsibility is to promote relaxation; stimulating the vagus nerve with the benefits of an ice pack or cooled gel pack can affect anxiety and its effects.

Cold helps regulate stress responses: through ice, the brain and vagus nerve receive the “message” to slow down the activity of the nervous system – which generates anxiety. Having received the information, the vagus nerve calms the heartbeat and reduces blood flow. communicating to the body the need to rest and abandon the state of “alarm” that anxiety is able to create.

The above study has shown that having children and adolescents use ice therapy with ice packs and cold gel packs reduces anxiety and creates a tangible sense of relaxation. Given the scientific proof, we are certain it works for adults too!

What do you think about this article? Have you ever used the benefits of cold weather to protect yourself from situations of severe anxiety? Share your experience with us: write the Dispotech team.