I don't know exactly why I started I don't know exactly why I started I don't know exactly why I started getting in cold water three years ago getting in cold water three years ago getting in cold water three years ago Carl Young said that people don't have Carl Young said that people don't have Carl Young said that people don't have ideas ideas have people ideas ideas have people ideas ideas have people and maybe it's more accurate to say that and maybe it's more accurate to say that and maybe it's more accurate to say that the idea of cold water immersion found the idea of cold water immersion found the idea of cold water immersion found me as it was circulating through the me as it was circulating through the me as it was circulating through the ethos due largely to Wim Hof's ethos due largely to Wim Hof's ethos due largely to Wim Hof's missionary work more than I found it missionary work more than I found it missionary work more than I found it I had been hearing personal anecdotes I had been hearing personal anecdotes I had been hearing personal anecdotes
my first intentional cold plunge was my first intentional cold plunge was right after reading the book The Wim Hof right after reading the book The Wim Hof right after reading the book The Wim Hof method in late 2020 now there's a fresh now there's a fresh now there's a fresh snowmelt running off into the lake snowmelt running off into the lake snowmelt running off into the lake this is probably about the hottest time this is probably about the hottest time this is probably about the hottest time of the day I'm gonna go jog a couple of of the day I'm gonna go jog a couple of of the day I'm gonna go jog a couple of kilometers kilometers kilometers get warmed up get warmed up get warmed up and then and then and then strip down to my shorts and try to stay strip down to my shorts and try to stay strip down to my shorts and try to stay
alert and energized after a couple of alert and energized after a couple of minutes I decided to go in again about 30 seconds later I was shivering about 30 seconds later I was shivering about 30 seconds later I was shivering and ready to be done for the day and ready to be done for the day and ready to be done for the day feeling a sense of accomplishment thumbs up an older local Resident was on thumbs up an older local Resident was on thumbs up an older local Resident was on the shore watching me walk in and the shore watching me walk in and the shore watching me walk in and commended me for what I was doing commended me for what I was doing commended me for what I was doing and we had a nice conversation hopefully and we had a nice conversation hopefully and we had a nice conversation hopefully this is the start of a routine just had a nice brisk jog uh just had a nice brisk jog uh just had a nice brisk jog uh and I'm not shivering anymore and I feel and I'm not shivering anymore and I feel and I'm not shivering anymore and I feel really good I feel like
no words no words no words it really does just like it really does just like it really does just like empty the mine about sunset and it snowed a little bit last night and it snowed a little bit last night and it snowed a little bit last night this actually looks like a good spot on the third day I endured even less on the third day I endured even less on the third day I endured even less time about 25 seconds it's interesting time about 25 seconds it's interesting time about 25 seconds it's interesting noticing the fear that comes up noticing the fear that comes up noticing the fear that comes up yeah it's just pure physical pain yeah it's just pure physical pain yeah it's just pure physical pain the the the anticipation just approaching the water just approaching the water
I don't think I would have done my first I don't think I would have done my first cold plunge on a day that it was also cold plunge on a day that it was also cold plunge on a day that it was also wet and cold outside the water wet and cold outside the water wet and cold outside the water this is a pretty this is a pretty this is a pretty picturesque right here beautiful picturesque right here beautiful picturesque right here beautiful reflection and what do you know there's this little and what do you know there's this little and what do you know there's this little spot here without snow spot here without snow spot here without snow right at the water's edge perfect right at the water's edge perfect right at the water's edge perfect for putting for putting for putting clothes for everyone who wants to go swimming for everyone who wants to go swimming
it's pretty cold it's pretty cold it's pretty cold ah but it's not as scary as it was before as it was before as it was before so that's progress I can feel my legs so that's progress I can feel my legs so that's progress I can feel my legs kinda kinda kinda aching aching aching but then above that but then above that but then above that my body feels like nice and warm my body feels like nice and warm my body feels like nice and warm and kind of a live and kind of a live and kind of a live and just like glad to not be in the and just like glad to not be in the and just like glad to not be in the water water
43.5 hello I think my motivation level is not that I think my motivation level is not that I think my motivation level is not that high today compared to yesterday high today compared to yesterday high today compared to yesterday every time I do this even if it's just every time I do this even if it's just every time I do this even if it's just for a little bit I get for a little bit I get for a little bit I get kind of a Zing of energy kind of a Zing of energy kind of a Zing of energy and so it's always worth it in the end and so it's always worth it in the end and so it's always worth it in the end and I'm not finding it as stressful and I'm not finding it as stressful and I'm not finding it as stressful doing it anymore doing it anymore doing it anymore after several days I was noticing that I after several days I was noticing that I after several days I was noticing that I was having fewer and fewer things to say
I use different words to describe this I use different words to describe this I use different words to describe this practice mainly for variety practice mainly for variety practice mainly for variety cold water immersion seems to be the cold water immersion seems to be the cold water immersion seems to be the scientific term that doesn't specify scientific term that doesn't specify scientific term that doesn't specify duration duration duration a cold plunge seems to be a popular term a cold plunge seems to be a popular term a cold plunge seems to be a popular term that refers not just to the act of that refers not just to the act of that refers not just to the act of quickly getting in the water but also quickly getting in the water but also quickly getting in the water but also the large human-sized tanks that people the large human-sized tanks that people the large human-sized tanks that people buy to use at home buy to use at home buy to use at home
before getting in having skin exposed to before getting in having skin exposed to cold air feels uncomfortable cold air feels uncomfortable cold air feels uncomfortable afterward it feels quite warm compared afterward it feels quite warm compared afterward it feels quite warm compared to the water and it's a satisfying to the water and it's a satisfying to the water and it's a satisfying feeling to just stand there in shorts in feeling to just stand there in shorts in feeling to just stand there in shorts in freezing air for a while and not feel freezing air for a while and not feel freezing air for a while and not feel cold I decided to do a I decided to do a I decided to do a just kind of like an ice bath instead of just kind of like an ice bath instead of just kind of like an ice bath instead of swimming swimming swimming see what that was like see what that was like see what that was like
that usually lasts me a few minutes that usually lasts me a few minutes depending on the air temperature the depending on the air temperature the depending on the air temperature the wind speed the amount of sunlight and wind speed the amount of sunlight and wind speed the amount of sunlight and humidity humidity humidity I've even felt it in light rain after I've even felt it in light rain after I've even felt it in light rain after coming out coming out coming out during cold and windy storms it's less during cold and windy storms it's less during cold and windy storms it's less noticeable but usually still there noticeable but usually still there noticeable but usually still there after the body gets used to the air after the body gets used to the air after the body gets used to the air again the warmth Fades and often this is again the warmth Fades and often this is again the warmth Fades and often this is when the Shivering starts if I've stayed
there's that initial shock and you're there's that initial shock and you're still warm on the inside but kind of still warm on the inside but kind of still warm on the inside but kind of like like like burning on the skin and then the cold burning on the skin and then the cold burning on the skin and then the cold starts to seep in starts to seep in starts to seep in the skin kind of like stays the same or the skin kind of like stays the same or the skin kind of like stays the same or maybe even numbs up a little bit and uh can feel getting kind of winded and uh can feel getting kind of winded and uh can feel getting kind of winded almost like doing a Sprint and that's kind of when I start thinking and that's kind of when I start thinking and that's kind of when I start thinking about getting out and then there's that walk back to the and then there's that walk back to the and then there's that walk back to the shore which is um
will have some of its own motivation will have some of its own motivation from the anticipation of the Endorphin from the anticipation of the Endorphin from the anticipation of the Endorphin and dopamine cocktail that the body and dopamine cocktail that the body and dopamine cocktail that the body enjoys afterward as a payoff enjoys afterward as a payoff enjoys afterward as a payoff meanwhile the writer will stoically meanwhile the writer will stoically meanwhile the writer will stoically continue to steer the elephant's Reigns continue to steer the elephant's Reigns continue to steer the elephant's Reigns on course for an intense couple of on course for an intense couple of on course for an intense couple of minutes I sometimes think of this metaphor when I sometimes think of this metaphor when I sometimes think of this metaphor when I observe two seemingly distinct parts I observe two seemingly distinct parts I observe two seemingly distinct parts of myself debating before and during a of myself debating before and during a of myself debating before and during a
make decisions jointly utilizing the make decisions jointly utilizing the strengths of each strengths of each strengths of each in the writer elephant metaphor wisdom in the writer elephant metaphor wisdom in the writer elephant metaphor wisdom is the two of them moving along together is the two of them moving along together is the two of them moving along together in harmony integrating both emotional in harmony integrating both emotional in harmony integrating both emotional passion and conscious Direction I think that cold water immersion I think that cold water immersion I think that cold water immersion improves the communication between the improves the communication between the improves the communication between the emotional elephant and the rational emotional elephant and the rational emotional elephant and the rational writer writer writer and it makes sense to me that the and it makes sense to me that the and it makes sense to me that the
natural anxiety and discomfort and 90 to natural anxiety and discomfort and 90 to 90 seconds takes some effort in practice 90 seconds takes some effort in practice 90 seconds takes some effort in practice it took doing the practice for a week or it took doing the practice for a week or it took doing the practice for a week or so before I could do the full 90 second so before I could do the full 90 second so before I could do the full 90 second breath hold breath hold breath hold and it never became easy for me to do and it never became easy for me to do and it never became easy for me to do for a while I was practicing these daily for a while I was practicing these daily for a while I was practicing these daily on their own and I don't really have a on their own and I don't really have a on their own and I don't really have a good reason for stopping because I do good reason for stopping because I do good reason for stopping because I do believe them to be beneficial believe them to be beneficial believe them to be beneficial I still do them sometimes and never
fully submerge I can attest to this as fully submerge I can attest to this as well so far no matter how many times I well so far no matter how many times I well so far no matter how many times I do this my body immediately and do this my body immediately and do this my body immediately and automatically begins breathing deeply automatically begins breathing deeply automatically begins breathing deeply for air for several faster and deeper for air for several faster and deeper for air for several faster and deeper breaths as my body's various adaptive breaths as my body's various adaptive breaths as my body's various adaptive mechanisms kick in to deal with the mechanisms kick in to deal with the mechanisms kick in to deal with the sudden environmental shock sudden environmental shock sudden environmental shock after some time maybe 30 to 60 seconds after some time maybe 30 to 60 seconds after some time maybe 30 to 60 seconds my breathing then Slows To A sustained my breathing then Slows To A sustained my breathing then Slows To A sustained Pace that is somewhat faster and deeper
followed by a sense of fulfillment followed by a sense of fulfillment cold water immersion could be classified cold water immersion could be classified cold water immersion could be classified as what's sometimes called type 2 fun as what's sometimes called type 2 fun as what's sometimes called type 2 fun which is defined as not fun to do but which is defined as not fun to do but which is defined as not fun to do but fun to talk about later fun to talk about later fun to talk about later it's probably my favorite type of fun it's probably my favorite type of fun it's probably my favorite type of fun which some might not even want to call which some might not even want to call which some might not even want to call fun fun fun it's not really fun to do if fun means it's not really fun to do if fun means it's not really fun to do if fun means pleasant but it is fun in that it's pleasant but it is fun in that it's pleasant but it is fun in that it's adventurous
when the first big storm came after I when the first big storm came after I started started started I wondered what it would be like to get I wondered what it would be like to get I wondered what it would be like to get in the lake during a storm in the lake during a storm in the lake during a storm and after a huge snowfall and during a and after a huge snowfall and during a and after a huge snowfall and during a huge snowfall huge snowfall huge snowfall the days that stand out most to me and the days that stand out most to me and the days that stand out most to me and my memory were these days which felt my memory were these days which felt my memory were these days which felt kind of sacred not many people ventured kind of sacred not many people ventured kind of sacred not many people ventured out during snowstorms so there was out during snowstorms so there was out during snowstorms so there was Solitude and falling snow creates a
cold water cold water one day I swam out to a big rock and one day I swam out to a big rock and one day I swam out to a big rock and climbed on top and then jumped off and climbed on top and then jumped off and climbed on top and then jumped off and that became my new challenge since it that became my new challenge since it that became my new challenge since it took an uncomfortable amount of time took an uncomfortable amount of time took an uncomfortable amount of time I saw the rock again in a snowstorm I saw the rock again in a snowstorm I saw the rock again in a snowstorm could I do it in a snowstorm why not could I do it in a snowstorm why not could I do it in a snowstorm why not what if I did a cold Plunge in the dark what if I did a cold Plunge in the dark what if I did a cold Plunge in the dark underneath the Stars what would that be underneath the Stars what would that be underneath the Stars what would that be like like like what would it be like swimming
I'm not gonna lie I'm a little scared the ice cover here or the slush cover throwing me off a bit it's almost like the first time reminds it's almost like the first time reminds it's almost like the first time reminds me of the same fear I felt like the me of the same fear I felt like the me of the same fear I felt like the first time when it was perfectly sunny first time when it was perfectly sunny first time when it was perfectly sunny out out out it's just different not sure the ground is not sure the ground is not sure the ground is slushy or rocky slushy or rocky slushy or rocky uh yeah it's slushy okay yeah there's like several inches okay yeah there's like several inches okay yeah there's like several inches of this foreign sunny days it wasn't too much of a sunny days it wasn't too much of a
to cold a bit more gradual to cold a bit more gradual when I walk or run to the water I when I walk or run to the water I when I walk or run to the water I generally have a warm core temperature generally have a warm core temperature generally have a warm core temperature which makes it easier to get out of which makes it easier to get out of which makes it easier to get out of winter clothes I would usually overdress winter clothes I would usually overdress winter clothes I would usually overdress on purpose to work up a nice sweat and on purpose to work up a nice sweat and on purpose to work up a nice sweat and build up internal heat to get myself build up internal heat to get myself build up internal heat to get myself from the shoreline to a deep enough spot from the shoreline to a deep enough spot from the shoreline to a deep enough spot the decisive moment was always removing the decisive moment was always removing the decisive moment was always removing my clothes I can't think of a single my clothes I can't think of a single my clothes I can't think of a single time that I didn't get in the water
somewhere between a foot and three feet somewhere between a foot and three feet and it's like hard work and it's like hard work and it's like hard work I've been at this I feel like for an I've been at this I feel like for an I've been at this I feel like for an hour and hour and hour and it feels like I'm barely getting it feels like I'm barely getting it feels like I'm barely getting anywhere anywhere anywhere and I really want to be at the water and I really want to be at the water and I really want to be at the water already and I could have gotten there a already and I could have gotten there a already and I could have gotten there a lot faster lot faster lot faster I came out here two days ago and I was I came out here two days ago and I was I came out here two days ago and I was Blazing a trail like this and now other
it's hot I've got my jackets on but none it's hot I've got my jackets on but none it's hot I've got my jackets on but none of them are zipped up of them are zipped up of them are zipped up just one or two minutes in nearly just one or two minutes in nearly just one or two minutes in nearly freezing water can create an increase in freezing water can create an increase in freezing water can create an increase in alertness energy presence and embodiment alertness energy presence and embodiment alertness energy presence and embodiment that is comparable to an hour or more of that is comparable to an hour or more of that is comparable to an hour or more of running resistance training or other running resistance training or other running resistance training or other exercise for me this is hard thank you I disproportionately large amount of I disproportionately large amount of I disproportionately large amount of life is packed into those two minutes life is packed into those two minutes life is packed into those two minutes
in warm showers for 10 minutes before my in warm showers for 10 minutes before my body actually stopped shivering it must body actually stopped shivering it must body actually stopped shivering it must take a lot of chemical processes to take a lot of chemical processes to take a lot of chemical processes to convert our cellular energy stores into convert our cellular energy stores into convert our cellular energy stores into heat to maintain our homeostatic heat to maintain our homeostatic heat to maintain our homeostatic temperature and then replenish the temperature and then replenish the temperature and then replenish the stored energy from food we eat for the stored energy from food we eat for the stored energy from food we eat for the next time I definitely notice an next time I definitely notice an next time I definitely notice an increase in appetite fairly soon after increase in appetite fairly soon after increase in appetite fairly soon after the practice too the practice too the practice too I'm not sure but it does seem to me that
I find it remarkable that this can I find it remarkable that this can happen with just a couple of minutes of happen with just a couple of minutes of happen with just a couple of minutes of exposure exposure exposure I'm not an expert on the physiology I'm not an expert on the physiology I'm not an expert on the physiology behind the better sleep but I would behind the better sleep but I would behind the better sleep but I would guess that the body has important guess that the body has important guess that the body has important restorative work to do replenishing restorative work to do replenishing restorative work to do replenishing energy and adaptively strengthening energy and adaptively strengthening energy and adaptively strengthening tissue tissue tissue I think it's very possible that cold I think it's very possible that cold I think it's very possible that cold water immersion can improve sleep also
Abraham Maslow described Peak Abraham Maslow described Peak Abraham Maslow described Peak experiences as moments of experiences as moments of experiences as moments of self-actualization and personal growth self-actualization and personal growth self-actualization and personal growth characterized by joy and Transcendence a characterized by joy and Transcendence a characterized by joy and Transcendence a sense of connection to something greater sense of connection to something greater sense of connection to something greater than ourselves Peak experiences may be rare but I think Peak experiences may be rare but I think Peak experiences may be rare but I think the level of joy and Transcendence we the level of joy and Transcendence we the level of joy and Transcendence we can have lies on a continuum can have lies on a continuum can have lies on a continuum more frequently I had what I might call more frequently I had what I might call more frequently I had what I might call a Crest experience not quite at the peak a Crest experience not quite at the peak
our ancestors so strong our ancestors so strong end quote in this video I'm going to mostly focus in this video I'm going to mostly focus in this video I'm going to mostly focus on the psychological and spiritual on the psychological and spiritual on the psychological and spiritual benefits of cold water immersion because benefits of cold water immersion because benefits of cold water immersion because that's my area of interest and expertise that's my area of interest and expertise that's my area of interest and expertise but no cold water article would be but no cold water article would be but no cold water article would be complete without some mention of the complete without some mention of the complete without some mention of the anecdotal and empirically proven anecdotal and empirically proven anecdotal and empirically proven physical benefits physical benefits physical benefits hormesis is when exposure to low levels hormesis is when exposure to low levels hormesis is when exposure to low levels
improved cardiovascular health and improved cardiovascular health and stronger immunity stronger immunity stronger immunity I started the practice in late 2020 when I started the practice in late 2020 when I started the practice in late 2020 when covid-19 fears were still high and covid-19 fears were still high and covid-19 fears were still high and keeping a strong immune system was a keeping a strong immune system was a keeping a strong immune system was a popular topic popular topic popular topic Wim Hof mentions that a byproduct of Wim Hof mentions that a byproduct of Wim Hof mentions that a byproduct of regular cold water practice is not regular cold water practice is not regular cold water practice is not getting sick getting sick getting sick one chapter of his book is called a cold one chapter of his book is called a cold one chapter of his book is called a cold shower a day keeps the doctor away
disease is the number one cause of death disease is the number one cause of death in developed countries and cold water in developed countries and cold water in developed countries and cold water immersion can do wonders for healing and immersion can do wonders for healing and immersion can do wonders for healing and damaged and out-of-shape cardiovascular damaged and out-of-shape cardiovascular damaged and out-of-shape cardiovascular system system system I think of our cardiovascular system as I think of our cardiovascular system as I think of our cardiovascular system as one way that energy flows around the one way that energy flows around the one way that energy flows around the body through the blood body through the blood body through the blood if the flow is constricted and our if the flow is constricted and our if the flow is constricted and our hearts have to work overtime we'll feel hearts have to work overtime we'll feel hearts have to work overtime we'll feel more tired and unhealthy our brains
Swiss army knife of Health in his book Swiss army knife of Health in his book why we sleep which covers the Myriad why we sleep which covers the Myriad why we sleep which covers the Myriad reasons that we need good sleep sleep in reasons that we need good sleep sleep in reasons that we need good sleep sleep in order to be healthy order to be healthy order to be healthy did that list motivate you did that list motivate you did that list motivate you it motivates me when I hear it these it motivates me when I hear it these it motivates me when I hear it these facts are something that the elephant facts are something that the elephant facts are something that the elephant rider can say to convince the elephant rider can say to convince the elephant rider can say to convince the elephant to get in the uncomfortable water it to get in the uncomfortable water it to get in the uncomfortable water it doesn't make the experience itself easy doesn't make the experience itself easy doesn't make the experience itself easy but it can be a catalyst for taking the
with the help of his audience with the help of his audience I found it interesting to ask why people I found it interesting to ask why people I found it interesting to ask why people Express admiration and interest when Express admiration and interest when Express admiration and interest when they see someone getting in cold water they see someone getting in cold water they see someone getting in cold water we don't feel inspired when we see we don't feel inspired when we see we don't feel inspired when we see people doing painful things that have no people doing painful things that have no people doing painful things that have no benefit nor do we feel admiration when benefit nor do we feel admiration when benefit nor do we feel admiration when we see do people doing Pleasant things we see do people doing Pleasant things we see do people doing Pleasant things that are beneficial but don't require that are beneficial but don't require that are beneficial but don't require effort effort effort but somehow it seems that many people
saw me get into icy and snowy water and saw me get into icy and snowy water and bad weather and think I'm going to bad weather and think I'm going to bad weather and think I'm going to finally do blank referring to something finally do blank referring to something finally do blank referring to something important but hard whether they important but hard whether they important but hard whether they consciously connected that to seeing me consciously connected that to seeing me consciously connected that to seeing me doing something hard or not doing something hard or not doing something hard or not I've questioned whether or not my cold I've questioned whether or not my cold I've questioned whether or not my cold plunges are worth seeing by others I plunges are worth seeing by others I plunges are worth seeing by others I know there are many people who routinely know there are many people who routinely know there are many people who routinely do far more uncomfortable and do far more uncomfortable and do far more uncomfortable and challenging practices than this and
a steady burn of energy and access to a steady burn of energy and access to Primal functionality of the incredible Primal functionality of the incredible Primal functionality of the incredible machine that is the body machine that is the body machine that is the body and when all of that is paired with a and when all of that is paired with a and when all of that is paired with a peaceful beautiful and sacred natural peaceful beautiful and sacred natural peaceful beautiful and sacred natural environment like a trail in the forest environment like a trail in the forest environment like a trail in the forest there's little need for the past or the there's little need for the past or the there's little need for the past or the future for personal narratives or future for personal narratives or future for personal narratives or worries at least for a Time worries at least for a Time worries at least for a Time the practice of continuing to stay the practice of continuing to stay the practice of continuing to stay present through a physical challenge is