Icy cold water, who likes to jump into a body of water that is icy cold? I'm guessing that's not appealing to most of you. But what if I said the benefits are amazing to your immune system, your mental health, and your overall well-being? Would that change your mind at all or would you still hesitate at the thought of diving into icy cold water?
One of the many benefits of cold water immersion is it creates new brain cells .The body requires shock ( the gasp as you dive in and feel your lungs constrict) to create new brain cells.
The three ways to new brain cells are:
1.Cold water immersion
2.Intermittent fasting
3. High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.T.T)
I know many badass people who have been doing this for a long time. My dear friend Bec has dived into the Ocean everyday for years! My mentor JP has been doing it for a year and a half. Another friend Tanya has just finished her first year in Rockingham. All inspiring stories of joy, happiness and a great addiction. A local Toodyayian Cherie, has done a year too, which to me is next level awesome, as in winter here the temp can be as low as -4 degrees, and she’s diving in her pool, boom!!💥💥
Here’s how my journey began: I was on a trip to New Zealand last year in August. Probably the worst month to start getting used to regular, daily cold water immersion, but I was on holidays, I was there by the ocean; I just felt the need to do it. To immerse myself in something for me, that I was in control of, that I could be proud of myself for doing. And for me, it was mainly about being in control, having something that was totally at my will as to whether it happened or not. A way to take control when I felt things were spiralling out of control in matters which I had no ability to change the outcome.
So, there I was in New Zealand in the middle of winter, and I was going to throw myself in to my cold water challenge. As I walked into the water it was absolutely freezing and my Hubby said to me, you're just going to have to dive in. If you wait for the water to become a little bit warmer, you'll get hypothermia… so with that in mind, I just dived in. And yes, it took my breath away but it was exhilarating, it was refreshing! I can't even describe how wonderful it made every cell in my body feel. I just stayed in the water, diving in and out, for five or so minutes and then hopping out feeling renewed, refreshed and in control. Also addicted!!
Every morning no matter where we were in NZ, I took my bathers, and I was going to be diving into that icy cold water. We visited Seal Island and that was the coldest water I have ever experienced in my life. It was so cold that after I come out of my first dive, I had brain freeze!! You know, just like when you eat ice cream you get brain freeze. I worked out that the water was so cold that I could only just do a little swim and not put my head under again because I was not ready for that level of brain freeze. Still exhilarating, still exciting and still made me want to keep going each day.
Back home in Toodyay, I have quietly continued with this routine at. Our local swimming pool has beautiful chilly water and I've been going there daily. I'm really enjoying having a swim and just diving into that beautiful crisp clear water. I've really developed a love of the blue line. Every time I'm below the water I love looking around the expanse of the huge pool and feeling privileged and lucky to have such a great facility in our town. On the days that I can't make it to the local pool I’m fortunate enough to have my own pool at home, that I dive into on a regular basis.
I've become so addicted to the cold water that sometimes I dive into our pool at home multiple times throughout the day because I just need that hit, ha ha!🤣🤣🥶
I've totally given up on blow drying my hair and making it look lovely, as there really is not much point, I'm in the water so often.
I invite you to try your own little cold-water immersion. You may not have a pool of your own and you may not be able to get to your local swimming pool each day or the ocean, which is also amazing. So why not start small and work your way up by first using the last 30 seconds of your shower with cold water and then work your way up to 2 minutes.
Cold water immersion has altered so many lives, and I’m happy to now include myself in that!
Bring on winter haha…