Take the Plunge!

Eat, Play, Laugh with Debbie Messenger

Hello, hello friends! Brrrrr, today we’re going to talk about a technique called polar plunging aka ice bath or cold exposure therapy.

With all the different stressors that have been thrown at us within the last year or 2, I thought it would benefit us to talk about the benefits of ice baths or the Wim Hoff technique known as cold exposure therapy.

Inspired by a recent IG video of Mel Robbins having an ice bath. I wanted to talk about the benefits of ice bathing which include: easing sore muscles and joints. It also helps your central nervous system (by helping you to sleep better, typically you fall asleep faster and have deeper, I believe REM sleep, where we dream and our creativity flows.) Helps limit inflammation. And it trains your vagus nerve (our parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and levels our emotions.

I first learned about this technique about a year ago while watching a documentary on Tony Robbins’ UPW conference. If you’ve been listening for a while, you know this podcast is all about finding methods and best practices for joyful living.

In the documentary, Tony spoke about starting the day by changing our primal state. That would include breath work, meditating with a focus on gratitude, and then he suggested taking a hot shower and at the end of the shower, just before getting out, we should close our eyes and flip the water from hot to cold and stand in that cold water for up to a minute.

I have been doing this for about a month and I can tell you, there’s something about it that just makes me have a great start to my day. I’m happier, more relaxed, and feel excited and renewed. I always end up giggling, maybe it’s because my body is freaking out from the intense change in temperature. I’m not a doctor, but I did confirm the benefits. And others who have actually done the full-on ice bath, have said that they feel more in control. Have less stress and anxiety, and they feel more balanced. So what do you think listeners? Are you going to try polar plunging??? Before you do, check with your doctor to see if it’s ok, or do like I’ve been doing and start with ending your shower with cold water. Start out slowly, and then be sure to comment or DM with your results!

In addition to cold exposure therapy, we have a wonderful counselor in Jesus, 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. "

The encumbrances of life can threaten our peace but it is so good to know that we can cast all our cares on God – health cares, relationship cares, etc.; Paul reminds us that God still cares. You can give to God every burden that seeks to depress or make you anxious, God is waiting to relieve you and grant you His love, joy, and peace.

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