Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

had fastened in a passive and non-growing state.</p><h1 id="ac9f">A Change in Perspective</h1><p id="a921">Her asking me about having an ice bath was the eye-opener I needed. Suddenly, I knew I could cope with the cold water. There was no legit reason not to embrace this challenge.</p><p id="c24b">And you know what? This shift in mindset was all I needed. I no longer focused on the torture of the freezing water. Her words pushed me out of my lazy comfort zone.</p><p id="7876">The positive effects spread to other areas of life. I became ready to challenge myself in other areas as well, like this project of writing on Medium.</p><blockquote id="3481"><p>“If you’re not getting outside of your comfort zone, then you’re not growing” ― Chad E. Foster</p></blockquote><p id="c88b">The hard job was to decide to take the first step. Isn’t it always? That winter day we took our first ice bath. Was it cold? You bet. However, that feeling was secondary to the satisfaction we felt. The feeling of being invincible.</p><p id="482e">Since then, we have taken ice baths every week. The new habit has led me to some life-changing conclusions.</p><figure id="7caf"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*lhIMRCqL4AFQqLwxEgtc4Q.jpeg"><figcaption>The image was taken by the author’s daughter. The author swims toward the edge of the ice.</figcaption></figure><h1 id="7c4e">7 Lessons Learned From Having Regular Ice Baths</h1><h2 id="1189">1. Mindset</h2><p id="b120">Mindset is everything. Once you decide, there is no turning back. Don’t think, just do it. Willpower is amazing. The secret to success truly lies in the mindset.</p><p id="152c">Stop focusing on the limitations and insecurity. Start seeing the possibilities and your strength. This change is life-changing for your mental and physical health.</p><h2 id="32d4">2. Breathing</h2><p id="9233">Calm breathing is essential. At first, it is immensely hard. Imagine panic-breathing. By always focusing on the breath, you will improve. I have extended the awareness of mindful breathing to my everyday life. Breath control <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response">lowers stress</a>.</p><h2 id="80f5">3. Trust</h2><p id="5c06">Since we started, neither of us has been the slightest bit sick. We now firmly believe ice baths strengthen the immune response. This idea is supported in the article “<a href=

Options

"https://www.tonyrobbins.com/health-vitality/the-power-of-cold-water/">9 BENEFITS OF TAKING COLD SHOWERS</a>” on Tony Robbins’ web page.</p><p id="6c55">It is amazing how fast the body warms up after bathing in ice-cold water. I trust my body, in its ability to keep me healthy.</p><h2 id="c44d">4. Endure</h2><p id="0482">Is it delightful to be in freezing water? Of course not. However, we endure the uncomfortable and get rewarded with the feeling of pride when we succeed. You have every opportunity to achieve your goals, as long as you make a real effort.</p><h2 id="08ba">5. Enjoy nature</h2><p id="7f9b">I have learned to appreciate nature even more. Season changes are miraculous and introduce new opportunities.</p><h2 id="901e">6. Try something new</h2><p id="e729">From now on, I don’t hesitate in trying new things. Learning and experience promote growth. I am setting new goals and have faith in success.</p><h2 id="f9ac">7. Be proud</h2><p id="8082">I am proud of both of us, for our personal growth these last months. We decided to do something and did it.</p><p id="2e87">Maybe ice baths are not so absurd after all.</p><p id="4e7b">Truth be told, you get addicted to this kind of torture. It is painful. And it is fantastic.</p><p id="eeda">If ice bathing can be your thing too, it’s great. If the water outdoors isn’t cold enough, try an indoor alternative. Cold showers will do the job. When summer ends, keep going to your lake or ocean and become an ice swimmer who has good control of the breath.</p><p id="7729">No matter what you want to achieve, make sure that you don’t get stuck in a non-growing state. Be ready for new challenges. If you value your strengths and possibilities, hard work and a positive mindset will take you anywhere you want.</p> <figure id="4f2b"> <div> <div> <img class="ratio" src="http://placehold.it/16x9"> <iframe class="" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2F3EEJhmXPgSY%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D3EEJhmXPgSY&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F3EEJhmXPgSY%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="854"> </div> </div> </figure></iframe></div></div></figure></article></body>

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone to Promote Personal Growth

7 lessons learned from throwing myself into freezing water

“Challenge yourself; it’s the only path which leads to growth.” ― Morgan Freeman

“I’m stuck in a lazy comfort zone and I no longer challenge myself.”

Have you ever gained this unpleasant insight? This happened to me at the beginning of this year. An unexpected comment from my daughter gave me a much-needed kick in the butt. My perspective changed from limitations to opportunities.

With a little shift in mindset, I was ready to set new and exciting goals. The first one became to start ice bathing. My second, ongoing goal is to be a writer.

Why Ice Bathing?

I have always admired people who throw themselves into freezing water. In the winter, I can barely keep myself warm. Still, someone chooses to take an ice bath. Outstanding behavior. I couldn’t bear the thought of the torture.

Have you heard about the Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof, aka The Iceman? He is known for his capacity to tolerate low temperatures. Wim Hof has created a method built on three pillars: cold therapy, breathing, and commitment. According to his website, this practice can unlock some great health benefits like

Increased energy
Better sleep
Reduced stress levels
Heightened focus & determination
Increased willpower
Stronger immune system

This aroused my curiosity. The possibility of health benefits from an absurd action like an ice bath.

My Turning Point

Despite beneficial health effects, I couldn’t imagine swimming in freezing water. Not until this January, when my 10-year-old daughter tells me that she wants to take an ice bath. She didn’t think she was allowed to give it a try.

Her comment ignited a spark in me. My mindset shifted. I went from seeing only the limitations to be aware of my opportunities and strength. The pandemic limits our lives. I realized that I had fastened in a passive and non-growing state.

A Change in Perspective

Her asking me about having an ice bath was the eye-opener I needed. Suddenly, I knew I could cope with the cold water. There was no legit reason not to embrace this challenge.

And you know what? This shift in mindset was all I needed. I no longer focused on the torture of the freezing water. Her words pushed me out of my lazy comfort zone.

The positive effects spread to other areas of life. I became ready to challenge myself in other areas as well, like this project of writing on Medium.

“If you’re not getting outside of your comfort zone, then you’re not growing” ― Chad E. Foster

The hard job was to decide to take the first step. Isn’t it always? That winter day we took our first ice bath. Was it cold? You bet. However, that feeling was secondary to the satisfaction we felt. The feeling of being invincible.

Since then, we have taken ice baths every week. The new habit has led me to some life-changing conclusions.

The image was taken by the author’s daughter. The author swims toward the edge of the ice.

7 Lessons Learned From Having Regular Ice Baths

1. Mindset

Mindset is everything. Once you decide, there is no turning back. Don’t think, just do it. Willpower is amazing. The secret to success truly lies in the mindset.

Stop focusing on the limitations and insecurity. Start seeing the possibilities and your strength. This change is life-changing for your mental and physical health.

2. Breathing

Calm breathing is essential. At first, it is immensely hard. Imagine panic-breathing. By always focusing on the breath, you will improve. I have extended the awareness of mindful breathing to my everyday life. Breath control lowers stress.

3. Trust

Since we started, neither of us has been the slightest bit sick. We now firmly believe ice baths strengthen the immune response. This idea is supported in the article “9 BENEFITS OF TAKING COLD SHOWERS” on Tony Robbins’ web page.

It is amazing how fast the body warms up after bathing in ice-cold water. I trust my body, in its ability to keep me healthy.

4. Endure

Is it delightful to be in freezing water? Of course not. However, we endure the uncomfortable and get rewarded with the feeling of pride when we succeed. You have every opportunity to achieve your goals, as long as you make a real effort.

5. Enjoy nature

I have learned to appreciate nature even more. Season changes are miraculous and introduce new opportunities.

6. Try something new

From now on, I don’t hesitate in trying new things. Learning and experience promote growth. I am setting new goals and have faith in success.

7. Be proud

I am proud of both of us, for our personal growth these last months. We decided to do something and did it.

Maybe ice baths are not so absurd after all.

Truth be told, you get addicted to this kind of torture. It is painful. And it is fantastic.

If ice bathing can be your thing too, it’s great. If the water outdoors isn’t cold enough, try an indoor alternative. Cold showers will do the job. When summer ends, keep going to your lake or ocean and become an ice swimmer who has good control of the breath.

No matter what you want to achieve, make sure that you don’t get stuck in a non-growing state. Be ready for new challenges. If you value your strengths and possibilities, hard work and a positive mindset will take you anywhere you want.