How to Start Cold Water Therapy at Home
Cold water immersion, also known as cold water therapy, is one of the fastest-growing wellness practices. From elite athletes to wellness enthusiasts, many are discovering its powerful effects on recovery, stress reduction, and overall wellbeing. And with the launch of Victoria + Albert’s new Kerid bath collection, it’s now easier than ever to bring this ritual into your home, creating a spa-like sanctuary indoors or out.
What is Cold Water Therapy?
Cold water therapy involves immersing the body in cool or icy water for short periods of time. Traditionally used by athletes to speed up recovery, today it’s also embraced as a mood booster, circulation aid, and mental resilience exercise. The benefit of cold therapy is backed by both science and centuries of tradition. And if your only experience of this practice is watching Wim Hof’s challenges in the sub-zero conditions of the Italian Alps, the good news is that to achieve the benefits, you don’t need to go to extremes. The ultimate goal is to find a temperature that is challenging enough to provide therapeutic effects but that you can safely tolerate for a few minutes.
Common temperatures range between 10–15°C, though you don’t need to dive straight into ice baths to experience results. Low and slow is the recommendation for beginners, starting at 20°C for around one to two minutes, and gradually lowering the temperature and increasing the time once your body adapts.
How Do I Start Cold Water Therapy at Home?
There are several accessible ways to enjoy cold water therapy from the comfort of your own home:
1. Cold Showers
A simple starting point. Gradually reduce the temperature at the end of your shower for 30–60 seconds. This method is beginner-friendly and requires no additional equipment.
Perrin & Rowe offer a wide range of Shower Sets in various styles, formats and finishes.
Perrin & Rowe Langbourn Shower Set in Pewter2. Cold Water Immersion Bath
For a deeper, more immersive ritual, consider a freestanding bath designed to hold colder water comfortably. The new Victoria + Albert Kerid bath is compact, UV-resistant, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces – making it ideal for transforming your bathroom or garden into a wellness retreat. Its raised seat and high walls support chest-deep immersion, whether for a rejuvenating cold plunge or a deeply relaxing warm soak.
A matching Kerid basin completes the collection, designed to echo the bath’s elegant “floating” effect.
3. Face Immersion
Fill a bowl with cold water and immerse your face for a few seconds at a time, ideally in the morning. This is known to stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps regulate stress responses.
4. Foot Spas
Soaking just your feet in cold water can be a gentle way to gain circulation benefits without full immersion. Ideal for those easing into the practice.
5. Portable Plunge Pools or Outdoor Solutions
For those with outdoor space, portable plunge tubs and compact baths allow year-round use. Victoria + Albert’s specially developed QUARRYCAST™ material, made from a unique blend of Volcanic Limestone™ and high-performance resins is especially suitable for this style of bath. The material is not affected by rapid changes in temperature, so it will remain strong even when alternating from cold iced water to warmer water. UV resistant, it can be installed outside from terrace to garden, without fear of fading - perfectly aligned with the growing trend for nature immersion.
Incredibly durable, resistant to hair dyes and bath oils, QUARRYCAST™ is also more than twice as hard as acrylic and easy to keep clean. And while the material is hardy, it is surprisingly lightweight - the average weight of a Victoria + Albert bath is just 72kg for easy installation. A 25-year guarantee for consumers also provides extra peace of mind.
The Benefits of Cold Water Therapy
Cold water immersion is more than a passing trend. Here are some of the most celebrated benefits:
• Boosts circulation and cardiovascular health
• Supports muscle recovery and reduces inflammation after exercise
• Enhances mood by releasing endorphins
• Builds resilience by training the nervous system to adapt to stress
• Improves sleep and relaxation when practised regularly – making bedtime bathing ideal
With global interest in #SpaBathroom and #WellnessAtHome on the rise, adding a cold plunge option to your home feels both luxurious and restorative.
Cold Water Therapy and Today’s Wellness Trends
According to recent research by WGSN’s TrendCurve, consumers are increasingly seeking spa-like experiences at home, blending recovery, nature, and mindfulness.
Products like the Victoria + Albert Kerid bath respond perfectly to this demand as it’s durable enough for second homes and outdoor settings, while compact enough for modern bathrooms.
As the wellness economy grows past $5.6 trillion, rituals like cold water immersion are no longer niche – they’re becoming part of everyday self-care, and for good reason.
Ready to Soak?
Whether you start with a cold shower or embrace full immersion, the key is consistency. Begin slowly, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of discovery.
If you’re inspired to take the plunge, and are ready to experience the unique benefits of soaking rather than traditional bathing, explore the new Victoria + Albert Kerid bath and find your nearest showroom here.
With its elegant design, UV resistance, and wellness-focused functionality, Kerid offers a way to experience recovery, ritual, and rejuvenation at home.
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