Ice Swimming

Documenting cold exposure: Cold water plunge update. My 129th consecutive day of cold exposure work.

As part of this experiment, I am recording the water temperature and duration of the plunge. The lake here is not frozen and the water is clear. As seen above, the local temperature is quite cold. At this point in the season, about two minutes of immersion is all I can manage.

What’s It like to Experience the cold on Day 129

The Experience

There is no snow or ice, so it is easier to get into the water. It is useful to wear shoes until the last minute before wading in, as feet and hands seem to cool down immediately. Fingers get cold rapidly and begin to move more slowly when in cold water.

As usual carrying out the process of submersion is difficult to begin and requires me to mentally prepare by reminding myself that I challenged myself to do this daily and need to be accountable. With the exception of the face and head which many cold water enthusiasts do not submerge. A good idea, especially for beginners, my hands feel different after about a minute. My hands begin to hurt in the cold water at this temperature. Breathing becomes quick and shallow.

After submerging completely, things change. The shock wears off in an instant and there is the experience of a flow state where it is difficult to worry or think about anything but feeling the flood of sensory input.

Important Reminder: It is recommended that you listen to your body at this point. 37 degree water can be deadly. Please don’t do this alone or without supervision.

After submersion, the feeling that gets my attention is the gentle pain in hands and feet and that feeling of slowness to move mentioned above that creates a sense of urgency. The discomfort reminds me to find my way out of the water.

I consciously try to slow down once I know I am warming up. As the cold exposure legend, The Ice Man, Wim Hof recommends, “let the body do what the body needs to do”. My body will bring itself back to the right temperature. I feel refreshed, left with less anxiety I remind myself of the astonishing temporary nature of existence. The experience has an impact on how I will go through the rest of the day. Even if things are difficult, they are more bearable as I have completed what has become an important ritual.

Note to Reader: Feel free to let me know about your experience and if you have thoughts or advice about how to make this experiment more effective. Feel free to suggest topics or practices to investigate.