Journal
Most of us don’t breathe right! Have a quick check – put one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Which is expanding furthest?
Deliberate cold exposure, also known as DCE for short, is the intentional practice of cold water immersion (CWI). CWI is a form of cold water therapy where people immerse themselves in water at cold temperatures, for example, cold showers, ice baths or swimming in the cold sea.
Around the world, people have been using cold water therapy for centuries. Nowadays, cold showers are the most accessible way for many to experience cold water exposure and the advantages it brings.
The cold also takes you places, mentally and physically, that you don’t expect, and I already know it will forever more.
The cold is simply an acute stressor, Wim Hof calls it a teacher that’s merciless and righteous. It teaches us through the stress it imposes onto the body and onto the mind. That stress triggers a cascade of biochemical responses inside of us that literally builds us back stronger. How so?
Whether your reason for exploring cold water therapy is to conquer your mind or for the health benefits, there are a few things you’ll need to know first to make sure the experience is an enjoyable one.
The conversation with my wife Gemma went something like this… “I need to empty the freezer to turn it into an ice bath”…
