Tips and tricks for taking cold showers, and the benefits which result
In the video below I discuss why I have been experimenting with cold showers and the tips and tricks I have developed for "handling it" as someone who has never been a fan of the cold and especially cold water. Regardless of what you think of yourself I am positive that you can take cold showers, enjoy them, and enjoy the benefits of them. As I am writing this (maybe 30 minutes after the shower) I feel much more refreshed and alert, and am very happy with my decision to take it.
Tips
- TAKE DEEP BREATHS. This is the most important lesson. A lot of the negative effects of cold water stem from our tendency to react by taking quick, short breaths which can lead to hyperventilation. I find that with each deep breath the water gets noticeably warmer. It's like the breaths signal to my body that it's time to adapt to this new reality.
- Remember: IT WILL BE OVER SOON. The water feels the coldest at the very beginning. From there on out it continue to feel warmer until after about a minute you become used to it
- USE YOUR HEAD: I use the top of my head to take the initial burst of cold, it seems like the part of my body best suited for handling the cold
Productivity-Boosting
I've been working non-stop with laser-sharp focus which has enabled me to edit the video below, upload it to youtube, create a thumbnail for it, write this text, and probably a few other things too. Of course, that isn't a very long time, but I feel like I've gotten potentially hours worth of work done in this short time and have enjoyed doing it. For those who have experimented with modafinil, the feeling is somewhat similar (ketogenic diet + ketosis + bulletproof coffee + cold shower), though it feels more natural and sustainable (modafinil gives me the chills and the focus often feels "unnatural").
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After seeing a special on Wim Hof, I am convinced we should only be taking cold showers. I haven't made the switch yet. Below is the special, it is really good, by Vice
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Climbing Everest in nothing but a pair of shorts? Pssh too easy ;)
But seriously, that's insane!
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Yup, and he says anyone can do it!
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"this isn't that kind of channel... I'll show you... the knob."
haha... I almost had to switch off at that point. Thankfully you were referring to the knob of the shower!
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HAHAHA
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Is anyone else afraid to click "play" on that video?
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I tried to keep the frame limited to the top of my chest and up ;) Fair concern though
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Glad I am not the only one who does this XD
I personally start with cool water, and then ramp it up to cold.
Awesome post though
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Good addition. I prefer to just get it over with, the old band-aid method :)
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In Iceland, every community pool has a plunge tank that is kept at 5 degrees. It amazed me that people could slowly lower themselves in, sit there for 5 minutes, then casually get out.
I started to whimper as soon as I put my arm in.
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Wow, I didn't know that. And I've been to Iceland three times! Going back on November 13th, I'll have to check those out! Thanks!
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Here's what to look for. https://steemit.com/travel/@gikitiki/my-visit-to-iceland-community-pools The Community pools rock.
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Great post! I'm a big fan of ice baths and jumping in my pool when it is cold.
If you want to feel one of the best feelings then go to Lake Tahoe during the summer and jump in that water and cool off and then let the sun heat you back up. I love it! Here is a picture of me in Iceberg lake in Montanta. It was a 10 on the shrinkter scale!
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Aren't cold showers only for those who take it after everyone else or before getting into a public pool? ;-P
Is it me or you look tired in your videos since you started your ketogenic diet?
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I think I have more energy on average being on the diet, but I had pretty recently woken up when I shot the video. I think that's just regular morning grogginess you're seeing. But thanks for looking out!
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That explains it. I hadn't look for any eye booger. ;-)
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hahaha
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It would be far easier in warmer weather methinks... I did it two days in a row inthe past, but did not continue. After reading the book "The Mighty Atom"
Joseph Greenstien, The Mighty Atom- 1930's strong man
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I used to brave the cold like to the point of loving it. But lately I've become a little bitch. I like sleeping in a cool room but I warm it up in the morning. A cold shower in the winter might take some soul searching...
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I love cold showers and it's very soothing for your hair as well, it keeps it shiny and also healthy and it won't create frizzyness. Cheers !
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I'm a fan of a hot shower with freezing cold at the end- it's good for the skin. And a plunge pool after a sauna too.
N.B. I had to change tabs and only listen to that video when I realised you were actually getting into the shower.
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Good to know. BTW I only show from the top of my chest up.
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I actually said out loud 'My goodness man' and quickly clicked onto the other tab I had open. Maybe it's my British reserve, I'll put this one in the same category as the pee stick video ;D
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I've got a recommendation that's worked for me. I've often been plagued by brain fog as well, and it used to be a lot worse. You may already know about this stuff because you mentioned the whole caveman coffee thing, but I'll let you know anyway in the hopes that it will help.
I experimented with the coffee thing, but I didn't find it was any better than regular old black coffee. In fact, the best thing I ever did to my coffee was remove the sugar and milk. Not a whole lot of difference though, other than that I don't crash as hard in the afternoon (I cut out soda and other sweet drinks/foods too, which helps a LOT with the afternoon crash, just water when I finish my morning coffee).
I started napping when I did feel tired in the afternoon. I sleep about the same at night as I used to, which is not enough according to experts, but I feel much better overall, day and night, when I get a nap in at least every couple days.
I take a couple of supplements that seem to help me as well. The first is creatine. I noticed a huge bump in both physical and mental energy with creatine. I only take about 1/5 the amount suggested on the bottle in my coffee every morning (because it's hot and dissolves the creatine powder well), because I'm not a body builder, I'm just trying to maintain the creatine levels of a younger person. If I go off of it for a week or two, I start to notice a dip in energy level and my brain fog tends to rear its ugly head more.
Finally, I take phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the form of sunflower lecithin tablets. This was at the recommendation of Ray Kurzweil in his book Transcend (it's a book about life extension). PC is the main component of cell membranes, and is also a precursor for acetylcholine, essential for proper brain function. This one took longer to take effect for me, but I've noticed a lot of general positive health effects, from digestive health to increased energy, in addition to less mental fatigue.
Both supplements contain biochemicals that your body normally produces and both are contained in foods that most people eat, so that makes me feel better about consuming them. I just go back to normal, which means not quite as sharp, if I stop taking them. There are no withdrawal effects that I've noticed. These biochemicals are abundant in young people, but starting around 25 the body's ability to produce them diminishes over time, and this becomes significant by the time you're in your 30s. Eating them as supplements is a good way to replenish their supply, and this may help stave off cognitive decline as well as physical decline.
Bear in mind that I am not a medical expert, and my anecdotal evidence above is determined by my subjective experience. That said, I would highly recommend reading Kurzweil's book Transcend (cowritten with MD Terry Grossman) if you haven't already. It's got a lot of amazing health information in there that you may not find elsewhere, and it's backed up by real science.
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Great video! Have you looked further in the breathing technique of Wim Hof. There's a London Real interview with him in which he explains. I tried it the other day and after this I was all of a sudden holding my breath for at least 3 1/5 minutes! The human body, such a great thing to explore :D
Looking forward to follow ups in this direction!
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Absolutely, I love the breathing technique. I usually do it on the way to the gym and then during the workout.
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