Good morning my friend!
As you may remember, I started Cold Plunging back in the fall. I used my backyard pool starting when the water was in the 60s. As it cooled off and we got into winter, I kept at it, and as you might remember from this picture, “swam” all the way down to water that was 32 degrees!
Once the temperature started warming up (here in Texas, that happened sooner than I would have wanted) the pool started warming up, and by March, it was back up into the 60s.
Well, one funny thing that happened as I was plunging, was I enjoyed it more and more. So when I saw the “plunge season” was over, I started bugging my husband about putting in a cold plunge here at the house.
Side note: I did purchase a small blow-up plunge product last year, but the amount of ice it took to cool it off into the low 50s ended up being about $15-$20 a plunge! So that was a no-go.
Being the frugal type, my sweet husband found a local business, “SweatHouz” that offers both cold plunge and sauna. Bingo. So just 10 minutes in the car, and I can have both.
And I love it!
But yesterday, sitting in that 47-degree water, I really didn’t want to be there!
In fact, every cell in my body was screaming “GET OUT!!!!” Tingling legs and toes, labored breathing, spinning head. I didn’t want to be there.
But I knew something.
There’s a magic point that happens in cold plunging. Usually between 60-90 seconds in, as you’ve been breathing to control the shock, everything starts to calm down, tingling recedes, breathing calms, head clears. And then you are able to stay in as desired.
But you have to get through the tough part.
I tell myself to breathe, sink lower in the water, just stick with it a few more seconds.
And I do.
I stayed in a little less than 7 minutes yesterday. And when I got out I felt AMAZING!
And I knew my body was already reaping the benefits of sticking it out.
–Lowered inflammation.
–Strengthened immune system.
–More easily moving joints…and so much more.
So that got me to thinking…
Why is it I can stay in that water?
What are the simple steps I’ve taken that allow me to do something that many, many people tell me they can’t?
And even more importantly, how can I take that willingness to go through the discomfort and apply it to other things in my life? ie., not eating the cookie, or the ice cream, (or purchasing them in the first place) the moment I have the urge.
OK, so here’s what I’ve come up with:
–Notice the feeling.
That sounds really simple, but so often I’ll feel the discomfort but won’t I acknowledge it. I’ll either just act on it without thinking, or I’ll shove it away.
I’ve been doing a lot of work on noticing my emotions. In fact, I was so proud of myself because a few weeks ago when we had a window salesman in our house, he started putting the pressure on us to buy immediately.
I started feeling a lot of pressure in my chest area, so instead of just being uncomfortable, I actually put my hands to my heart and said out loud, “I’m feeling really uncomfortable right now with your pressure to make a decision. This is a big decision, and we’re not going to decide right now.”
Thankfully, he backed off, (and we certainly didn’t buy his windows!) but I noticed that just in saying it out loud, I had a lot of relief from that difficult feeling.
But back to the point at hand. When I have the urge, I think the first step is to notice it.
–Physically respond
For me, that’s breathing intentionally. As a singer, I have a lot of practice breathing well and with my whole body. But I’ve never used that skill outside when singing. But in the cold plunge, I have to physically breathe to calm my para-sympathetic system down.
So I’m trying to use that same calming technique in response to unhelpful urges. The next time I want to grab a cookie, I’m going to notice, then stop and breathe.
–Stick with my decision
I know that unless something really dramatic happens, I’m pretty much going to stay in for my 5-7-minute plunge. That’s the amount of time I’ve set for myself, and I know that those minutes will go by quickly if I just stick with it.
And sure enough, they do!
So maybe next time I get an urge, I can notice, breathe while moving away from the temptation, and just stick with that until the urge passes.
And then, hopefully, my habit of sticking with it will start imprinting, and soon, rather than the habit of “giving in” to the urge, the habit of noticing, then not giving in, will take hold.
I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
This life is definitely a work in progress!
What are you working on? What has worked for you in these situations?
Just hit reply and let me know.
Because, as always, I’m Cheering You On!
xo
Christy 🙂
P.S. If you want to learn more about the world of Cold Plunging, I highly recommend this book. It’s a GREAT look at the science behind it (by THE Expert in the field), plus, it’s a really beautiful book too. 🙂