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Exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures, such as -130°F (-90°C), for 5 minutes can surprisingly improve sleep quality and promote deep sleep, according to a study. Participants, wearing minimal clothing, underwent this cryostimulation for 5 consecutive days, and the results were more beneficial for women than men. The research suggests that lowering the body's temperature may be the secret to achieving restful and regenerative sleep, particularly the crucial slow-wave or deep sleep phase.

The cryotherapy sessions prolonged the duration of this deep, restorative sleep. According to the lead researcher, Olivier Dupuy, the slow-wave sleep, which is the most rejuvenating phase of sleep, increased by an average of 7.3 minutes during the first two sleep cycles after cryotherapy. This suggests new treatment options for various sleep disorders. Therefore, when sleep is troublesome, embracing the cold, such as removing a layer of clothing, exposing a leg from the blanket, or taking a cool bath, may be beneficial.