Journal
We have become creatures of comfort. We wear shoes to feel more comfortable walking and padded shoes to feel more comfort when running. Central heating, air conditioning, even heated steering wheels not to mention the actual cars for a quicker and easier journey. It’s about time we searched for comfort in discomfort.
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?
It’s essential to control your breath when doing any form of cold water immersion, but in an ice bath as cold as ours, it’s absolutely vital. Discover three breathing techniques you can use to control your breath and prepare for the cold.
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.
Brass Monkey exists to help people build stronger minds and bodies, to inspire everyone to get their cold on in any way that they can. As humans we are plagued by inflammation, but what is inflammaging and how can you reduce it?
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.
Zack George (aka ‘Silverback’) is one of the world’s top CrossFit athletes, a fitness influencer and officially the UK’s Fittest Man 2020. Born and raised in Leicester UK, Zack George’s story is one of dramatic change, resilience and hard work.
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”…
It was in the freezer in November 2020 where the idea for Brass Monkey came to me. I got out of the freezer and noticed it leaking, I was so disappointed but not surprised - after all I’d filled a chest freezer with water.
