Kristen Bell Takes Fans Along to Test Out 'Cold Plunging' Trend
Now she knows how Anna and Elsa must've felt trying to save the kingdom from freezing over.
Kristen Bell got the taste of adventure once, and now she can't get enough of it.
The actress, 42, took to Instagram to share her gutsy experience testing out the "cold plunging" trend that has taken over social media platforms like TikTok in the last few months.
"Experimenting on myself to find the benefits of cold plunging!" The People We Hate at the Wedding star exclaimed in the caption, adding, "Studies have shown that cold plunging can increase dopamine concentrations by 250 percent. Gimme that 'feel good' hormone baby!"
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Bell's caption continued: "It’s also said to not only improve your mental state at the moment, but also helps with mental acuity and alertness throughout the day. BRING IT ON."
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In the video, Bell walks her followers into the chilly waters of an outdoor pool to show them what she referred to as "this awful little adventure [she's] testing out: morning cold plunge."
As she dips her torso into the cold pool, she explains that her self-care experiment began bright and early, "It's 8 in the morning; the pool is 58 degrees [Fahrenheit]," she said before interrupting herself with a howl. "Which isn't as cold as regular cold plunges–and it's brutal."
As she waded in the brisk waters and in between deep breaths, Bell shared a few tricks she's picked up since she began practicing this morning ritual. "Number one, don't stop when you walk into the pool cause if you stop, you'll never get in."
"Number two, breathe from your belly–cause otherwise, you'll just breathe from here," she said, motioning to her chest, "and it's awful."
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"Number three, count to 20. Because after 20, a tiny little bubble forms around your body, and it's like your own personal wet suit, and you just wait it out."
The Frozen voice actress also suggested listening to something that gets you going or "whatever music really jazzes you up to completely disassociate you from what your body is experiencing," as she so eloquently put it in the clip.
"Then you just wait."
How long? Well, Bell doesn't specify, but some experts say no more than 10 to 15 minutes. Doctors also don't fully understand why some claim the brief cold exposure helps them feel more energized, as only a few studies have suggested that there may be minor benefits.
Experts have warned that the cold plunge isn't a risk-free exercise and that you should talk to your primary care physician before jumping into it. Some associated issues include frostbite, hypothermia, heart arrhythmias and even heart attacks.