I first heard about ice baths during my yoga teacher training. To say I was skeptical that the benefits of ice baths outweighed the pain was a gross understatement. I was in County Clare, Ireland, and one of the few participants at the training who wasn’t used to plunging into the blustery Atlantic Ocean in December. I tried a few quick dips but wasn’t convinced of their worth at the time, and I swore I would never willingly subject myself to that level of torture again. 

Fast forward a few years, add in a few random aches and pains from aging and a general sense of low motivation, and suddenly, the idea of cold water immersion didn’t seem quite so ridiculous. I embarked on a month-long journey of twice-weekly ice baths to test their benefits. Surprisingly, the experience was invigorating and filled with valuable lessons. Here are 10 things I learned after a month of plunging into icy waters.

Mind Over Matter

The first and most crucial lesson I learned was the power of the mind. Stepping into a tub filled with ice-cold water requires serious mental strength and drive. I could endure the initial shock and embrace the cold by focusing on my breath, adopting a positive mindset, and remembering that nothing lasts forever (the yoga concept of impermanence). This bi-weekly reminder of the power of my attitude lasted well beyond my few moments of cold exposure.

Resilience Takes Practice

Just like any other skill, resilience can be cultivated through consistent practice. The ritual of facing the discomfort of the ice bath gradually made me more resilient not only in the cold but also in other aspects of life. This learning process helped me become more self-aware and develop a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses.

Like any other skill, resilience can be cultivated through consistent practice.

Increased Energy Levels

Contrary to my expectations, ice baths didn’t leave me feeling drained. Instead, I experienced a surge in energy post-immersion. I felt like I could tackle almost any problem or challenge my life threw at me. The cold exposure stimulated my nervous system, providing a natural boost throughout the day, and often overflowed into the next.

Enhanced Mental Clarity

The shock of the cold water seemed to jolt my brain into a state of heightened alertness. I found myself more focused and clear-headed after each ice bath. I was able to complete subsequent tasks with more focus and ease. I began to see the ice baths as a reset for my mental state.

Building Discipline

Committing to an ice bath routine required discipline. There were many days when the effort to gather the ice and prepare the bath seemed daunting. But, I had made a promise to myself and saw my cold plunges as an opportunity to build discipline. This newfound discipline extended beyond the ice bath and influenced other areas of my life. It served as a reminder that consistent habits breed discipline.

Ice baths served as a reminder that consistent habits breed discipline.

Discovering the Power of Breath

Controlling my breath was the key to enduring the extreme cold, and learning to breathe deeply and stay calm in the face of discomfort translated into a valuable life skill. Even though I practice breathwork regularly as part of my yoga practice, trying to find a slow and steady breath when sitting in icy waters proved challenging yet rewarding. My newfound focus on the calming power of intentional breathing applied to various situations outside the ice bath.

The Beauty of Embracing Discomfort

Ice baths taught me that growth often occurs outside of our comfort zones. Embracing discomfort, whether physical or mental, can lead to personal development and a greater appreciation for the strength we possess. It’s only when we make it past the discomfort that we can look back and see how much we’ve grown.

Gratitude for the Simple Joys

My ritual of subjecting myself to cold water made me appreciate the simple joys of warmth, comfort, and a delicious cup of coffee. It served as a not-so-gentle reminder to be grateful for the little luxuries I often take for granted.

Ready to take the plunge? Read my tips to help you survive your first ice bath. 

Inflammation Let Down

Decreased inflammation is one of the most touted benefits of ice baths. Most of my exercise comes from yoga or chasing my dogs around the backyard, so I probably experience less inflammation than other athletes. I do suffer from chronic allergies and inflamed sinuses, and I was hopeful that my new ritual would help. Sadly, I didn’t notice any difference in my sinuses or inflammation in my body. 

It’s An Expensive Ritual

I live in the Deep South, and even in November, when I did this challenge, the tap water came out pretty warm. It took 80 lbs of ice to cool the water off enough to count as cold water exposure (I considered anything below 50 degrees acceptable). Hauling that much ice was expensive and time-consuming. I resorted to freezing blocks of ice in storage containers, plastic baggies, and water bottles in my deep freeze. I could also pop these back in the freezer when finished with my bath to reuse them next time. Floating next to frozen water bottles wasn’t as nice as using ice alone, but the time and financial savings were worth it for me.  

As my month of ice baths ends, I find myself contemplating how to incorporate them into my regular wellness routine. I plan to continue my ice bath ritual, although with less regularity. I’m switching to weekly ice baths rather than biweekly and will increase the frequency as needed if I feel short on self-motivation, resilience, or focus.

While ice baths may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or, rather, cup of ice), my month-long experiment taught me valuable lessons about mental strength, resilience, and the surprising benefits of embracing the cold. My cold plunges turned out to be more than a temporary experiment; they reminded me that growth and strength often thrive in the face of the unexpected.