“The Iceman” Wim Hof has become a very popular and iconic figure in modern times due to his incredible feats of strength and willpower in enduring freezing temperatures and his ability to directly tap into his immune system.
He’s figured out a way to get ‘under the hood’ of the human energy system to modulate systems that are usually under automatic control. He has literally redefined the scope of what is humanly possible and therefore, what it means to be Human.
Best of all he’s systematized his technique so that all of us can learn to take control of our breathing patterns to bear the intense cold which has enormous benefits for our bodies on every level.
I like to take ice-cold baths with a gallon jug whenever possible. For me, it’s a lot easier psychologically to know that I only need to get through a half-gallon of cold water to succeed with my goal; this makes the dreaded task so much easier. I always feel better after ice-cold water stimulates all of my skin cells and shocks me into deeper levels of communion with my nervous system.
After I drench my skull with ice-cold water the painful feeling triggers a strong passing desire to punch somebody in the face, luckily nobody is every right in front of me.
After this momentary ‘pain’ (which is not harming me in any way) the cold water now feels as pleasurable to me as hot water once did and I feel like a stronger man after each session I endure.
It’s easy to chill a gallon jug in the freezer until it’s very cold or is straight up ice water and use this for your reinvigoration session.
Cold water has lasting health benefits on every level whereas hot showers, though delicious and soothing, often leave me feeling drained of my vital energy, probably because I can’t get myself to turn off the tap and face the cold again…hot water is addictive!
I recently experimented with ice-cold baths at night while camping in my van in freezing temperatures without a heater. I found that meditating afterwards in a cocoon of blankets led to deep clarity and even beautiful visionary states, but I was soo cold that night that I couldn’t sleep! Meditating through the night can be more restful than sleeping anyway. I suspect that the Human body doesn’t feel like it can fully let go into sleep when it’s surrounded by a life-threatening element.
There is however something to be said for homeostasis. The body is a frail being in many ways and I’ve found my mind to be much stronger than my body; mind over matter works, but the body keeps the score and remembers what caused it pain, so now I finish with a thermos full of very warm water and immediately cuddle up with a hot meal or a blanket cocoon to quickly get back to a comfortable temperature.
I find that the cold inoculates me against feeling cold. My first ever experience of this was hiking to Laguna 69 in Peru where we came upon a glacier fed lake. The Icelanders were quick to dip and inspired me to brave the gorgeous crystal clear waters. Even though I was cold and had been for much of the hike, I stripped and dived in. I immediately became euphoric and giggly while every cell in my body seemed to light up; thankfully the Icelanders cautioned me to exit, warning me that I could go into shock and then be unable to exit, so I did. My body felt way warmer than it had that whole day and I couldn’t even put all of my clothes back on because I was too hot! This revelation proved to be as powerful a healing method as the subsequent Ayahuasca journeys I undertook (differently, of course).
If the cold seems like too much for you, drink Ayahuasca, then everything in your life will forever be way easier by contrast.
It can take some time but eventually the good feelings (better than drugs) brought on by cold immersion can turn cold baths into a practice that you absolutely love, this is a great place to be!
The book “The Iceman” is a great inspirational and motivational resource for learning how to practice the Wim Hof method and why it’s so valuable.
There’s also a great Vice documentary about him:
Inside the Superhuman World of the Iceman
I know how scary facing the cold can be, but please don’t feel as if you have to go all out and do ten minute ice baths to receive benefits. I find that short cold rinses are often enough to refresh and reawaken me so that I can continue to slowly climb the mountain of self actualization without being too harsh with myself. It’s especially helpful if I’m in a physical or mental funk and since my willpower isn’t as strong in these times I just tolerate the level of cold that I can manage.
You can start slow by soaking just a hand or foot in ice water or very cold water for as long as you can stand it.
This is a very intense practice and as such should be undertaken with great caution; cold can kill! So please, don’t be harsh with yourself or push yourself too far past your limits. One more second in freezing water would probably strengthen you whereas ten more seconds could cause your body to recoil and learn to dread the practice altogether leaving you further behind in your evolution than if you accept and honor your ever-changing limits.
You can find a Wim Hof Method Instructor like Rob Lenfestey at Mandala Springs (MandalaSprings.com) to empower you to take on one of lifes biggest challenges, the cold.
https://www.wimhofmethod.com/wim-hof-method-instructors-north-america
The Facebook group “EMF Warriors” has some great info though it can be terrifying to scroll through; using the search function can yield some relevant information.
Unfortunately they don’t seem to consider BioGeometry very seriously which is why information synthesizers like myself are so important.
They instead focus mostly on how to boost your mitochondrial health through cold exposure therapy, diet, exercise, sunbathing and avoiding junk light (blue light).
Dr. Jack Kruse is active on EMF Warriors and has some very informative posts regarding all of these subjects; I’m sure you can easily find videos and blogs from him.
Cryo Therapy could be a valuable ally for you; I don’t know much about it but have heard anecdotal reports of the same benefits I’ve described herein except people achieve this in a supportive controlled environment.