Embracing The Cold: My Journey with Cold Water Therapy

"The cold is an absolute doorway to the soul" - Wim Hoff

Those are the words of Wim Hof, who inspired countless people to journey with him into the healing powers of cold water therapy. In many ways, I found those words to be true in my life. I began taking cold showers about five years ago. Since then, it has become a routine part of my life. I also try to incorporate this practice in my travels whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Starting the Journey

At the beginning of COVID lockdowns, as the world was beginning to shift into the unknown, I decided to launch my inner exploratory journey to seek change within. One of the first inspirations I came across was Wim Hof. His personal life story, the science he shared, and his personal convictions about his cold exposure practice were truly captivating. I was immediately hooked after watching his interview and began taking cold showers the very next morning.

Understanding the Science

In my limited and amateur understanding of the science, I will make an attempt to share some facts that inspired me into this journey to the cold.

1. Stress Response: When exposed to cold water, the amygdala is activated. This part of the brain is responsible for the limbic system and is crucial for processing emotions, particularly fear and stress.

2. Dopamine Release: This is one of the few natural and healthy ways to release dopamine into your system. Unlike unhealthier counterparts, it is known to have a long and slow release of dopamine lasting for several hours after the cold water exposure.

3. Immune System Boost: By maintaining this activity regularly, it has been observed that there is a direct connection to an increase in white blood cells, helping boost immunity and fight illnesses.

4. Blood Circulation: The process of cooling the body along with the body's natural response to warm up has been seen to improve blood circulation.

5. Anti-Inflammatory: Cold water exposure is also known to reduce inflammation, assisting in healing and recovery.

Personal Benefits

In my experience, I have personally benefited from the stress response, dopamine release, and the boost in my health. The stress response goes beyond simply regulating stress but can also calm the effects of certain autoimmune disorders. I have personally seen a dramatic change in my skin condition, psoriasis, which is an autoimmune disorder. By regularly exposing myself to cold water via cold showers and cold plunges (when available), I have seen a dramatic decrease in symptoms, resulting in healthier skin.

I have also experienced the boost in dopamine levels, allowing me to regulate my mood and have a more productive day. This has played a significant role in getting my day started when I am having an off day and just find myself dragging my feet into the workday. I come out of the shower feeling alert and more alive than ever. As for the remaining benefits, I am confident in the science behind it, but I personally have no way to measure those effects in my own life. However, it's great to know that these benefits are working for me in the background.

The Challenge

I came to the cold not so much for the benefits but rather for the challenge. On the days I don't feel like doing it but know that I need it, I always ask myself, "Do you do hard things?" From there, I can smile, answer "yes," and jump right in. The idea behind it is that I am well aware that if I turn away from a challenge, it will slowly catch up to me and life will get much harder when facing future challenges. The reverse is also true: the more I expose myself to something difficult, the more capable I am of taking on new challenges.

Rewarding Travel Experiences

There is nothing more rewarding than taking a cold dip in a river or at the bottom of a waterfall just after a long hike. This was particularly true for me in Mashpi Cloud Forest, a Chapada in Brazil, and during a hike in Bali. I also had an incredible experience spending 10 minutes in Lake Titicaca on a particularly cold day. Another amazing healing spa experience I enjoyed was in Uyuni, at a hotel just outside of the salt flats made entirely of salt bricks. I started with a 15-minute cold plunge followed by being buried in over 100 pounds of local salt for half an hour. This practice, whether in a unique travel experience, at a cold plunge facility, or in the comfort of my own shower, has become a regular part of my life.

How You Can Get Started

1. Start by slowly lowering the temperature at the end of your shower for a week.

2. Next, you want to reach 2 minutes of full tap cold at the end of your showers.

3. Slowly increase that 2 minutes up to 5 minutes.

4. Now you'll be ready for a full cold shower.

5. From there, you can easily sign up for your first cold plunge.

I encourage you to check out Wim Hof, particularly on his breathing technique, as it could assist in both mental and physical preparation for the practice as you enter your first plunge.

Embrace the cold and good luck!

Much Love,

Jason