Kristine Joy, Writer

Mission:

end most of my showers with a blast of cold water

+

additional cold water therapy options

Wellness Why(s):

Primary: Physical

Subsidiary: Emotional

Not Applicable: Social 😂 (though my being in a better mood because of cold water therapy may improve my relationships), Intellectual (not sure this qualifies as a SMART goal?)

The Nuts & Bolts:

Self admittedly, I am a total pansy about cold water.**

e.g.

I am poolside and know that my swim workout will take me exactly 48 minutes to complete.

There remains 66 minutes of open lap swim.

I will sit on the edge of the pool for 24 full minutes* before forcing myself to reluctantly jump in and only do so because I now have 42 minutes to complete a 48 minute workout.

* And you should be warned that this fearful of cold water method of approach, ironically, may produce severe burn marks.

** I am less willing to admit that, on more than one occasion, I sat by the side of the pool for the duration of open lap swim before promptly leaving the pool bone dry at the conclusion of open lap swim.

If you need more evidence than 👆, I’ve given this answer to this question on the morning of an Ironman event 7x now:

Questioner: Aren’t you going to get in the water (Lake Michigan, Prairie Creek Reservoir, Boulder Reservoir, Gray’s Lake, Lake Monona) to warm up for the swim?

Me: No. No, I am not.

Despite my dislike of remotely cold water, I’ve been hearing and reading about the benefits of actual cold water therapy and I’m intrigued:

• ⬆️ Immunity
• ⬆️ Endorphins
• ⬆️ Circulation
• Combat Depression
• ⬆️ Metabolism
• ⬇️ Inflammation

A 2023 study noted that after a 5 minute cold bath, participants self-reported feeling increased alertness, feeling more inspired, active, attentive, and proud.

– healthline

And if you remember how this website started (finding myself in the middle of a supersonic perimenopausal, the sky is falling, mid-life sh!+show), I could use some help on the combatting of depressive thoughts front and who wouldn’t take a side helping of weight loss alongside that?!?

Plus, I’m thinking my emotional fortitude will strengthen given the fact that I’m confronting my fears head on instead of avoiding them or worse:

PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE FEARS

And thus, I aim to incorporate cold water therapy into my life.

From AI (“cold water therapy options”):

Cold water therapy options include cold showers, ice baths, cold water immersion, contrast baths, and cryotherapy, as well as cold water swimming and plunging. These methods involve using cold water to potentially improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and aid in muscle recovery. 

Detailed Options:

• Cold Showers:. A simple and accessible way to introduce cold exposure, involving gradually reducing the water temperature during a shower. 
• Ice Baths:. Involve immersing the body in cold water with ice, often at temperatures between 10-15°C (50-59°F). 
• Cold Water Immersion:. Similar to ice baths but may use natural bodies of water or specialized tubs, with temperatures typically below 15°C (59°F). 
• Contrast Baths:. Involve alternating between cold and hot water immersion, potentially offering a different kind of stimulus. 
• Cryotherapy:. Can involve whole-body exposure to extremely cold temperatures (below -100°C or -148°F), often in a specialized chamber. 
• Cold Water Swimming/Plunging:. Involves swimming or plunging into cold natural bodies of water, like lakes or oceans, and can range from a few degrees above freezing to around 15°C (59°F) or below. 

Who knows, maybe I can find a nearby option to give whole body cryotherapy a go (which would also serve as a bonus addition to my list of new crazy life experiences)?

Update On:

When / If Applicable