Taking the plunge into discomfort

I never thought the day would come when I'd willingly submerge myself in a bath filled with ice, sit there for two minutes, and emerge with a grin on my face. But yes, I've hopped onto the Wim Hof train and embarked on the journey of exploring the "cold plunge." Similar to yoga, this physical practice is amazing for nervous system regulation and enhancing overall resilience and tolerance to discomfort.

Beyond the physical resetting effects, there are remarkable benefits for neuroplasticity—the brain's capacity to adapt through experience, by altering, reorganising, or expanding neural networks. I imagine this process is a bit like a segment of brain code by sending it signals from the body, as opposed to trying to mentally force a change in perspective.

Getting into an ice bath is choosing to willingly put oneself into a really unpleasant situation. Into a state that physically feels like the body is in danger and triggers the nervous system to respond. But through breathing and focus, the nervous system can be calmed and rewired to tolerate the discomfort. Similar to yoga practise, this exercise in a safe and controlled environment builds up mental resilience to cope with other situations in life.

As an eternal optimist, it’s been a long journey learning to accept that sometimes life is just really hard. It can be challenging (especially of late) and we are bombarded with information, stimulation and expectations. But practises like ice plunges or yoga teach us that while we can’t always change our environment, we can train ourselves to better endure whatever challenges may arise. From taking the plunge into the ice bath I’ve learn for myself that when necessary, I can push myself into an extremely uncomfortable situation, even if I don't particularly want to. I may find myself in a very uncomfortable environment, but I can alter how that situation affects me and how I respond to it.

This swift, physical approach doesn't leave much room for my brain to talk me out of confronting something frightening. I had tangible experience that I could and did survive a highly uncomfortable situation. It wasn't pleasant, but I made it through, and it gave me the confidence to believe I could handle other uncomfortable challenges as well. The second time I did an ice plunge I was able to lean further into the discomfort and push the boundaries on my tolerance levels. This made me reflect more deeply on why taking the plunge into discomfort can be intimidating.

Modern-day society has cultivated an expectation of a "perfect life," where the objective is to constantly ascend to a state of perpetual happiness. However, the ice plunge serves as a reminder that life naturally consists of ups and downs. There will be times when life just feels downright challenging, and there's no magic pill, device, or app that can ensure unending happiness. Those downs are what provide depth and colour to the ups, offering a broader perspective. Sometimes in the chase for the ups and good, I might avoid and hide away from challenges. Ultimately reducing my ability to cope with tough times and stay resilient.

This experience reminded me of Carol Dweck's theory of a growth versus fixed mindset. A growth mindset is based on the belief that abilities are developed and nurtured over time. For instance, something like grit— the capacity to be resilient and adapt to change, stress, or life's challenges—is not a fixed trait; it's something that must continually be worked on. It's like exercising a muscle, strengthening and maintaining it. We can train ourselves not only to endure higher levels of discomfort but also to remain focused and rational enough to take action when discomfort arises.

A cold plunge is like grit training on steroids. By physically confronting something that triggers your nervous system, your body teaches your mind and spirit to become stronger and more resilient. It demonstrates what we are capable of doing even in the most uncomfortable situations. Because if I can remain calm and survive a situation where my body is screaming danger, I learn to apply that resilience to other aspects of my life.

Taking the plunge doesn't mean I am now completely fearless, and all my problems are magically solved. Far from it—I still experience fear and often need to give myself pep talks to muster the courage to face challenges. However, taking the plunge has instilled a sense of belief in myself and the knowledge that I am capable of confronting discomfort. It has granted me a fresh perspective on how to approach life and discomfort.