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Over a year ago during Livehard Phase 1 I HAD to implement cold showers or a cold plunge into my routine. It was a part of the challenge and I had no choice if I wanted to complete it.
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Little did I know how much it would improve my life.
Cold plunging can be daunting. When you talk about this to most people they will immediately say you’re crazy and that they could never do it. That’s why most people never change or grow, they like being comfortable. Comfort is where dreams die. It doesn’t matter how small or big of goals you have but you should always have multiple in front of you that you are working on to achieve. Think, a carrot on a stick dangling, it works the same way. They have no idea the benefit of the cold plunge that is waiting for them.
Ways to get through it
There are a couple of things I did to help me get through it and maybe they will help you too!
•Listen to music – This was the first one I tried and do in the shower. I put on something really upbeat and motivational to get me through. Everyone has those songs on their phone. (Omg I almost just wrote iPod 😂 iykyk) Figure out what songs hit right and go for it.
•Pray – This is probably one that doesn’t get talked about enough. I started doing this during Phase 3 of Livehard when I was cold plunging. I feel like it would be harder to do in a cold shower. In the cold plunge everything is calm. It became a way for me to settle my mind, pray and be grateful for the life I’m living. I started looking forward to this time of day for that reason.
•Make up a song to a tune you already know – this is by far the silliest but gets me through the days when I really don’t want to do it. I just take a tune of a song and sing about being in cold water instead. My teeth are chattering and I’m laughing and it takes my mind away from being cold and it works!
Benefits of the Cold Plunge
- Boosts Circulation: Cold plunging can improve circulation, as the body constricts blood vessels in response to the cold, then opens them up again once warm, promoting healthy blood flow.
- Reduces Muscle Inflammation: The cold temperature can help reduce muscle inflammation and soreness, making it a popular recovery method for athletes.
- Increases Alertness: Cold immersion has been shown to increase alertness and energy levels by stimulating the release of endorphins.
- Enhances Immune Function: Exposure to cold may stimulate the production of white blood cells, which can help strengthen the immune system.
- Mental Resilience: Regular exposure to cold can lead to increased mental resilience and tolerance to stress.
- Improves Skin and Hair: Cold plunging can promote healthier skin and hair by closing pores, potentially leading to clearer, more vibrant complexion.
Those are enough to get me excited about cold plunging. It’s so tough but getting through it makes you feel amazing afterwards. Physically and mentally.
There’s something else when you immerse your body into cold water for 3-5 minutes. Your liver releases Cold Shock Proteins that flood your body in order to save your life. In doing this, they help get rid of free radicals and other harmful things going on in your body. Cool right?!
After doing it 30 days straight, I could clearly see the benefits. My anxiety was gone, my mood was better, and I actually looked forward to it. The downfall of the cold plunge I bought was cleaning it. Even if it was covered it needed to be pressure washed at least every 5 days. If you have the money invest in the real one that filters so you don’t have to worry about it. One day I will have one of those.
