Haha valid question indeed. You do get some benefits, sure! But the colder the water, the stronger the benefit, and in my neck of the woods, it comes out of the tap pretty warm. You're also technically supposed to end on cold and let your body warm up slowly, and for me at least, the temptation to do a hot shower blast at the end would be too great 😁
HI Jennie! Great writing as usual! I've been plunging for years now - but I only do it when I can't get out and actually swim in the cold. Also - I get a bit cross about that - faster metabolism = helps you lose wait stat. It's pretty flawed that one. In my part time job as a lifeguard I've seen so many young women taking up cold water immersion because they hope it will keep them thin - usually their BMI is already pretty low.... I worry that some people take that stat literally and think they don't have to do all the other things they need to maintain a healthy weight! happy plunging!
Thank you, Karen. I love that you can actually swim in nature. That is by far the best option! And I agree that statistic on its own can be misleading, but I figured that anyone willing to subject themselves to torture of this magnitude couldn't possibly be the same kind of person looking for a silver bullet for weight loss. Shows what I know! 🤣
I thoroughly enjoy your snarky take at something I would consider arduous. I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of an ice plunge but your story has pulled me further away from the desire to actually execute. Still, your doting attention to the details is endearing. Some people want it badly enough that they will make the 10,000 step journey to doing it. I am convinced you are obsessed, in a good way. Cheers to your health.
Haha I realize this would not remotely make you want to do it, and you're right, I'm obsessed. I figured if I was LOLing at my own ridiculousness, I had to write about it. Thank you for your kind words and may you find a much simpler health hack for yourself 🤣
Jennie! I didn't know we shared chronic pain. I'm sorry. It's a doozy.
This piece, though, it's a delight. As you must know, it has done very little by way of convincing me to take up cold plunging at home. ;) I do plunge into icy cold bodies of water in the great out of doors (almost) whenever the opportunity presents itself.
In all seriousness, I have considered cold plunging to fight inflammation, which is a huge part of my sitch. But since the associated pain is seriously exacerbated by cold, it seems intuitive not to. So I'm going to have to retract and say this post has actually done at least a smidgeon by way of me considering it again. Haha.
You know, I know it's not a contest, and I hate that I think in those terms, but I struggled with calling it "chronic." I have uterine fibroids, and for 10 days every month, I battle excruciating, nauseating pain that has caused me to faint in the past. But is it "chronic" if it's not every day? Point being, I believe what you are dealing with is worse, and my heart goes out to you. Now that that's out of the way . . .
Thank you for your kind words about this post. I love that you get to do this sort of thing in nature - that is the dream - but it's just not possible where I live. But it would certainly give me pause, too, if cold could make it worse. Perhaps you are one of the few for whom this is NOT a good idea. In which case, MAN have you dodged a bullet, because what I do at home is sheer, unadulterated lunacy 🤣
Of course it’s not a contest. And I feel you. I’m often “guilty” of reminding myself that others have it worse, etc. etc. And for sure that counts as chronic pain. I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. My heart goes out to you too!!
And also, I’m impressed that you do this ice bathing. ;)
Good for you for conquering your fear! And your recovery plan is excellent. Technically, we get way more out of cold exposure if we let ourselves warm up naturally, rather than doing a sauna or taking a hot shower. I sit in my house and shiver 🤣 but going for a run would be much more productive.
Thank you for saying that, Moorea! My pain is sooo much better, but unfortunately, I started cold plunging three months before I gave up alcohol, so I don't know which solution to attribute my healing to. I'm sure it's just the combo of both. I will say, I got cocky and reintroduced gluten (as that is another crazy healing journey I've been on for a decade+) and the pain came right back. But hey, at least I'm learning 🤷🏻♀️
Well, you're a researcher, too, so it makes perfect sense that, like me, you'd really enjoy deep-diving into what makes you tick when it comes to health.
I will say, I was just given a new protocol to deal with what remains of my pain and a few other issues, and I've kinda tried to stagger the treatments so I can see the effects of each one before adding another. I'm not sure a month/6 weeks is truly long enough to be "scientific" but it makes me feel a little better to collect data this way than to just throw everything at it at once and have no idea down the line if I truly need all of it.
Back atcha and Exactly. Also, 4-6 weeks is pretty good. I’m currently conducting a long-term health experiment on myself, and it’s requiring ten times more patience than I normally have. 😆
I’m still cracking up at ”sodomized by Zeus’s lightning bolt.” That’s a LOT of work for a four-minute plunge. I used to do cryotherapy, which is a similar concept, sans water. That got me thinking, instead of loading up your freezer with ice and ice packs, maybe empty it and climb in for four minutes. What could go wrong?
You DO know I'm friends with Andrea Hoffman, right? Precisely because we are both "what are the chances" people to whom only the weirdest and most seemingly impossible things happen? So, I'm not saying I WON'T try this, just that if you haven't heard from me for a few hours, send help.
I did NOT know you and Andrea are friends. That’s amazing. The conversations you two must have….
“Naked Woman Found Dead in Freezer” isn’t a very merry holiday headline, so please let me know when you’re going into so I can have EMTs on standby. You know, just in case your freezer door is built with the same attention to detail as that shelf.
I am very lucky and my gym has it set up outside. It’s a cold plunge and hot sauna right next to each other. It does not let me add a pic here but it’s such a great system. I pay $60 a month for it but it’s so worth it to me
Thank the Lord I wasn't drinking anything when I read the line about coffee and perspiration. I cackled! OMG, girl. Let me count all the ways I love you. They're even more than the steps to prep a cold plunge. That's serious love.
You are so funny! But this post begs the question: can’t I just get the same benefit from taking an ice cold shower??
Haha valid question indeed. You do get some benefits, sure! But the colder the water, the stronger the benefit, and in my neck of the woods, it comes out of the tap pretty warm. You're also technically supposed to end on cold and let your body warm up slowly, and for me at least, the temptation to do a hot shower blast at the end would be too great 😁
HI Jennie! Great writing as usual! I've been plunging for years now - but I only do it when I can't get out and actually swim in the cold. Also - I get a bit cross about that - faster metabolism = helps you lose wait stat. It's pretty flawed that one. In my part time job as a lifeguard I've seen so many young women taking up cold water immersion because they hope it will keep them thin - usually their BMI is already pretty low.... I worry that some people take that stat literally and think they don't have to do all the other things they need to maintain a healthy weight! happy plunging!
Thank you, Karen. I love that you can actually swim in nature. That is by far the best option! And I agree that statistic on its own can be misleading, but I figured that anyone willing to subject themselves to torture of this magnitude couldn't possibly be the same kind of person looking for a silver bullet for weight loss. Shows what I know! 🤣
I thoroughly enjoy your snarky take at something I would consider arduous. I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of an ice plunge but your story has pulled me further away from the desire to actually execute. Still, your doting attention to the details is endearing. Some people want it badly enough that they will make the 10,000 step journey to doing it. I am convinced you are obsessed, in a good way. Cheers to your health.
Haha I realize this would not remotely make you want to do it, and you're right, I'm obsessed. I figured if I was LOLing at my own ridiculousness, I had to write about it. Thank you for your kind words and may you find a much simpler health hack for yourself 🤣
Jennie! I didn't know we shared chronic pain. I'm sorry. It's a doozy.
This piece, though, it's a delight. As you must know, it has done very little by way of convincing me to take up cold plunging at home. ;) I do plunge into icy cold bodies of water in the great out of doors (almost) whenever the opportunity presents itself.
In all seriousness, I have considered cold plunging to fight inflammation, which is a huge part of my sitch. But since the associated pain is seriously exacerbated by cold, it seems intuitive not to. So I'm going to have to retract and say this post has actually done at least a smidgeon by way of me considering it again. Haha.
Which is all to say, great post.
You know, I know it's not a contest, and I hate that I think in those terms, but I struggled with calling it "chronic." I have uterine fibroids, and for 10 days every month, I battle excruciating, nauseating pain that has caused me to faint in the past. But is it "chronic" if it's not every day? Point being, I believe what you are dealing with is worse, and my heart goes out to you. Now that that's out of the way . . .
Thank you for your kind words about this post. I love that you get to do this sort of thing in nature - that is the dream - but it's just not possible where I live. But it would certainly give me pause, too, if cold could make it worse. Perhaps you are one of the few for whom this is NOT a good idea. In which case, MAN have you dodged a bullet, because what I do at home is sheer, unadulterated lunacy 🤣
Sending you lots of love and healing vibes 💜
Of course it’s not a contest. And I feel you. I’m often “guilty” of reminding myself that others have it worse, etc. etc. And for sure that counts as chronic pain. I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. My heart goes out to you too!!
And also, I’m impressed that you do this ice bathing. ;)
You are very brave to do that but then again the possibility of healing your pain is worth the risk.
I began practicing cold plunges a few years ago, it took 120 days to Conquer my fear.
When everything in the mind shuts down is when the body is free to heal
The only catch is how to recover from the plunge, I usually run to warm my joints.
I agree, Yannis; it's totally worth it!
Good for you for conquering your fear! And your recovery plan is excellent. Technically, we get way more out of cold exposure if we let ourselves warm up naturally, rather than doing a sauna or taking a hot shower. I sit in my house and shiver 🤣 but going for a run would be much more productive.
Thanks for sharing this. I feel as if you could write about the most boring topic and still make it entertaining. 😆 Has it helped your pain so far?
Thank you for saying that, Moorea! My pain is sooo much better, but unfortunately, I started cold plunging three months before I gave up alcohol, so I don't know which solution to attribute my healing to. I'm sure it's just the combo of both. I will say, I got cocky and reintroduced gluten (as that is another crazy healing journey I've been on for a decade+) and the pain came right back. But hey, at least I'm learning 🤷🏻♀️
Ha ha, you sound just like me in my health journey. And yeah, it's hard to know what to attribute improvement to when there's multiple variables. 🩵
Well, you're a researcher, too, so it makes perfect sense that, like me, you'd really enjoy deep-diving into what makes you tick when it comes to health.
I will say, I was just given a new protocol to deal with what remains of my pain and a few other issues, and I've kinda tried to stagger the treatments so I can see the effects of each one before adding another. I'm not sure a month/6 weeks is truly long enough to be "scientific" but it makes me feel a little better to collect data this way than to just throw everything at it at once and have no idea down the line if I truly need all of it.
Have a beautiful week, Moorea!
Back atcha and Exactly. Also, 4-6 weeks is pretty good. I’m currently conducting a long-term health experiment on myself, and it’s requiring ten times more patience than I normally have. 😆
I’m still cracking up at ”sodomized by Zeus’s lightning bolt.” That’s a LOT of work for a four-minute plunge. I used to do cryotherapy, which is a similar concept, sans water. That got me thinking, instead of loading up your freezer with ice and ice packs, maybe empty it and climb in for four minutes. What could go wrong?
You DO know I'm friends with Andrea Hoffman, right? Precisely because we are both "what are the chances" people to whom only the weirdest and most seemingly impossible things happen? So, I'm not saying I WON'T try this, just that if you haven't heard from me for a few hours, send help.
I did NOT know you and Andrea are friends. That’s amazing. The conversations you two must have….
“Naked Woman Found Dead in Freezer” isn’t a very merry holiday headline, so please let me know when you’re going into so I can have EMTs on standby. You know, just in case your freezer door is built with the same attention to detail as that shelf.
Haha that is precisely my concern!
How fun would it be to get you, me, Andrea and a few hilarious others in a room together?
Also, how fun would it be to actually be able to tag one another in comments? #GetYourShitTogetherSubstack
I’m in. Name the time and place.
That would be a blast. Mayhem would ensue!
🤣🤣crying. The shelf!
I want to hacksaw the front of that shelf to make it fit! What could go wrong?
I think we have to stop asking that question in regards to this situation. It invites the universe to rub its hands together in maniacal glee.
I just did my cold plunge and hot sauna therapy. I love it!
Do you go somewhere to do it? Or is it at-home?
I am very lucky and my gym has it set up outside. It’s a cold plunge and hot sauna right next to each other. It does not let me add a pic here but it’s such a great system. I pay $60 a month for it but it’s so worth it to me
OMG I would 1000% pay for that. What a gift! 💜
It is a gift!
Thank the Lord I wasn't drinking anything when I read the line about coffee and perspiration. I cackled! OMG, girl. Let me count all the ways I love you. They're even more than the steps to prep a cold plunge. That's serious love.
That IS serious love!! I’ll take it. I’m so glad we can be the ones to make each other cackle. 🥰
But seriously, what is going on with my armpits should be physically impossible 🤣
Um…