Some really incredible things happen to our brains when we cold plunge. -- the dopamine hit, the norepinephrine hit, and our brain's default mode network is suppressed. We come online in a different way. This is why people often feel “clear-headed” and deeply focused during and after cold immersion. In these moments we let go of rumination, overthinking, and mind wandering. It gets us out of our heads and into our bodies.
In these moments we can receive more clarity because we're not stuck in our known experience. We get out of autopilot.
For some reason, I always associated cold plunge with vacation -- I thought maybe it was because it reminded me of the ocean and of feeling alive. While that also may be true, I now understand its because it was getting me out of my known experience even if just for 2 minutes. That sensation lasted outside of the cold plunge and made me more creative and gave me more clarity.
What parts of your life are on autopilot right now? Where are you just going through the motions without being focused or clear or intentional? Is there an area where you can create more intention?
Here are the 8 areas of life that will be helpful in this reflection:
- Physical / Health
- Financial
- Vocation
- Passion / Hobby
- Family / Romantic
- Social
- Spiritual
- Mental (learning / thoughts)
Try visitng this question during a cold plunge or breathwork practice.