Day 3

I got cold feet

The Advent Cal(m)endar contains habits to increase clarity, focus and calmness. Every second day, I open a door and post about my experiences.

Good evening (or whatever part of the day it is where you are)! Today, it was time to open the next door. Reading the words was like a cold slap in the face (sorry, I’ll stop this now) – the new habit is

Let me clarify: I have to end my showers with cold water. The habit does not mean avoiding warm water completely! This habit will be a challenge on cold days, as I try to heat my apartment as little as possible, but it’s luckily again not one of the habits I am most nervous about.

Why cold showers?

Maybe a cold shower isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about calming habits, but in fact most people who have tried will probably confirm that cold water makes you feel great – there is that first stress response and adrenaline, but afterwards, you are extra-calm. I guess that’s part of the reason there are fans of winter swimming and ice baths. There is some evidence for health benefits, e.g. positive effects on the immune system, but much more research is needed. (Also, of course, it makes sense not to overdo it and to check with a doctor first in case of any health issues.)

I only have great memories of cold showers. I went swimming regularly for some years and usually took a cold shower first to make the pool feel more comfortable. Getting up early, cycling to the pool in the dark, taking a cold shower, swimming for 40 minutes and then arriving at university on time – this makes you feel so balanced, as if you have your life under control, I can tell you. But for some reason, that habit disappeared. (Maybe because I don’t have my life under control after all?)

The other nice memory of cold “showers” is a long off-grid camping trip where an icy waterfall nearby was the only chance to get somewhat clean. We were in the mountains, the days were grey, the ground was slippery, and the feeling of physical wellbeing after the waterfall shower was amazing. I don’t have many memories of feeling that calm and that alive at the same time.

Maybe a cold shower in an unheated apartment bathroom isn’t quite as appealing as standing in a mountain waterfall, but when planning the set of new habits, I was still sure this one would increase my wellbeing.

So, how was today?

I worked from home today and had an online meeting first thing in the morning, and I could not bring myself to have a cold shower before I was somewhat awake. But you bet that after the meeting I jumped into the shower! And yes, it was cold; yes, I briefly thought this was a stupid idea; yes, I felt balanced and brave afterwards - and that feeling lasted well into the afternoon (the cold shower itself took only 30 seconds). Success!

I also meditated for 20 minutes today. I have a suspicion that I am still in a phase of initial enthusiasm that will wear off eventually, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. To make sure I don’t forget any of my habits when their number increases, I made a tracker.

I hope you have had a nice day too! Do you take cold showers? Anyone here with ice bath experience??

Hannah