The theory here works by using the same system that causes us to get frostbite. If our body thinks we’re in danger of freezing, it re-routes blood from the extremities to the vital areas: the head and heart. By doing so, we increase levels of noradrenaline and beta-endorphin in the blood, which help boost good moods.

The study found that the therapy had a “a significant analgesic [pain-relieving] effect and it does not appear to have noticeable side effects or cause dependence.”

2. You’ll Lose Weight

Tired of salads and HIIT sessions for breakfast? Wim Hof believes that cold water exposure promotes the production of ‘brown fat’ cells in our body. As opposed to the ‘white fat’ most of us carry, brown fat historically keeps us warm, and boosts the metabolism. But we carry much less of it than we used to when we lived as hunter gatherers.

By exposing ourselves to extreme conditions, we can force our body to adapt, and re-grow this beneficial brown fat. In fact, one study found that three hours’ exposure to cold burned an extra 250 calories through brown fat activation, meaning that just six minutes per day over the course of a month will help you trim down any unwanted weight.

3. You’ll Banish DOMS

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness is the bane of the amateur athlete’s existence. For those who aren’t fluent in alpha male bro-lingo, it essentially means that you’ll ache like there’s no tomorrow two days after a heavy gym session. Luckily, cold water exposure can help reduce the pain-giving inflammation those dumbbell exercises left you with.

Paula Radcliffe is said to bathe in cold water following a particularly gruelling run, while a 360-person study published by the Cochrane Library found that cold water exposure did indeed reduce inflammation after cycling and swimming. The idea is that the cold causes arteries to constrict, which reduces the amount of waste tissue and swelling able to build up around an injured spot, saving you from reaching for the Ibuprofen.