The benefits of cold plunges
Since moving to the Northern Territory, I have struggled with the heat and humidity. My body is just not built for the tropics! Then, I got an ice-bath… a chest freezer, converted to a cold plunge bath set at 15 degrees celsius (perfect for the female body to soak up all the benefits without messing up the delicate balance of hormonal cycle) and my life changed! Or, at least, my experience of the Territory shifted considerably. I did my research and here’s my take on what cold plunges can do for you!
Cold plunges are like nature’s version of tough love. They slap you awake, remind you that you’re alive, and leave you buzzing with energy and insight. Imagine stepping into an icy embrace that feels equal parts punishment and enlightenment. It's a humbling practice—both a test of your resilience and an invitation to connect with something bigger than yourself. Here’s the lowdown on the benefits you can expect from cold plunges… based on my experience and reasearch, sprinkled with a touch of humour and a dash of spirituality:
The Physical: Where Pain Meets Progress
Inflammation Be Gone
"Cold plunges are like firing your internal bouncers to kick out inflammation and puffiness." When you hit that icy water, your body’s like, "Okay, shut down the drama—time to heal!" It’s basically an SOS to your circulatory system, resulting in better recovery and a body that thanks you for it.Circulation Celebration
Cold water turns your blood flow into the Formula 1 of your body. It zips around, ensuring every nook and cranny gets a flush of vitality. Your cells are practically clinking glasses and saying, "Cheers to better circulation!"Fat Burning With Frosty Flair
Cold plunges awaken your inner fire—literally. Brown fat, your body’s thermogenic little powerhouse, kicks into gear, saying, "Let’s burn some calories to stay warm!" Who needs a sauna when the ice does the trick?
The Mental: A Chill Pill for the Soul
Stress? What Stress?
When you voluntarily dunk yourself in freezing water, everyday stressors like unanswered emails and the lack of fresh baby spinach at the supermarket lose their sting. It’s as if the cold water whispers, “If you can handle me, Karen’s passive-aggressive emails are nothing.”The Dopamine Hit
Cold plunges don’t just boost dopamine—they supercharge it. It’s like Mother Nature’s version of a pep talk: "Go on, conquer the day. You’ve earned this high." Suddenly, you’re out of the water, grinning like you’ve just cracked the code to happiness.Mental Toughness on Ice
Cold plunges teach you to sit with discomfort, and if that isn’t a spiritual metaphor for life, what is? It’s like the universe is handing you a lesson in resilience, gift-wrapped in ice. You emerge tougher, braver, and maybe slightly smug about your ability to endure.
The Spiritual: COLD Water, Warm Soul
A Cosmic Reset
Dunk yourself into cold water, and it’s as if the universe hits Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your mind. Cold plunges strip away the noise and bring you into the present moment, where all you can think is, “Holy icicles, I’m alive!”Surrender and Trust
The cold forces you to let go—of control, of resistance, of your dignity as you scream like a banshee. It’s a lesson in surrender. The more you relax into the experience, the more profound the connection with your higher self.The Yin and Yang of Chill
There’s something deeply symbolic about voluntarily stepping into discomfort for growth. It’s a microcosm of life: the duality of cold and warmth, pain and healing, chaos and calm. You’re aligning with the flow of the universe, one shiver at a time.
A Few Icy Truths to Warm Your Soul
You’ll Feel Ridiculous: Shuddering your way into cold water is humbling. But hey, spiritual growth isn’t always glamorous.
Your Inner Critic Takes a Backseat: That voice in your head telling you you’re not enough? It freezes too, leaving space for self-love to thaw through.
Nature Becomes Your Guru: The cold doesn’t discriminate—it’s raw, honest, and impartial. It’s like the Zen master of water temperatures.
15 degrees celsius is the Goldilocks zone for women: No old-man Hoff’ coaxing you into the ice- we want to respect our natural cycle and get the benefits without throwing our hormones out of whack.
Post-Plunge Zen
After you emerge, everything feels brighter. The air tastes fresher, your skin tingles with life, and you might even think, “I could take on a glacier right now.” It’s not just the physical benefits—it’s the unshakable knowing that you faced the cold and came out stronger, more present, and a little more attuned to the rhythm of existence.
So, yes, cold plunges might start as a literal slap in the face, but they end as a hug from the universe. Dive in—the cold awaits, and so does your inner badass.
Book a RESET session with me:
The cold plunge experience is (et at 15 degrees celsius, ideal for women as it provides all the benefits of a cold plunge without messing with your hormonal cycle! and followed with a 1:1 breathwork session with ceremonial cacao.