I recently stumbled upon a video of a monk meditating in freezing temperatures somewhere in the Himalayas, and what struck me was how unfazed and composed he was despite the harsh conditions.
This discipline is known as tummo meditation, an ancient Tibetan practice centered on summoning one’s “inner fire” through specific breathing techniques and visualizations.
Science has taken a keen interest in the practice to understand its effects on the human body.
One particularly striking phenomenon observed during a frigid Himalayan ceremony was the ability of tummo meditators to dry wet sheets wrapped around their naked bodies.
Studies show that there are notable increases in body temperature, metabolism, and thermal power keeping the meditators warm.
This ancient practice has garnered mainstream attention in recent years, partly thanks to individuals like Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman,” who incorporates Tummo meditation into his regimen.
He has an outstanding ability to withstand low temperatures, having several feats under his name:
- Running the fastest half marathon barefoot on ice and snow
- Swimming underneath ice for 66 meters
- Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in shorts
- Standing in a container covered in ice cubes for almost 2 hours
He credits his remarkable accomplishments to the Wim Hof Method, a regimen that combines regular cold exposure, specialized breathing techniques, and meditation practices.
Through his website and various events, including expeditions, he educates individuals on how to implement the Wim Hof Method in their own lives, sharing the principles and techniques behind its effectiveness.
Cold Exposure
The Wim Hof Method and Tummo meditations (depending on the intent), fall under the umbrella of cold exposure techniques.
Cold exposure is intentionally subjecting oneself to cold temperatures to achieve physiological or psychological benefits.
Some of the common forms of cold exposure include:
- Cold showers
- Ice baths
- Could outdoor exposure
- Cryotherapy (exposing the body to subzero temperatures for several minutes)
- Cold plunges
Out of all cold exposure techniques, cold showers are the most popular.
Cold Showers
I can’t wait for a refreshing ice-cold shower when I get home!
Said no one, ever.
When picturing a shower, most envision warm, soothing water caressing the skin, and the euphoric steam filling the air.
The idea of stepping into chilling water hardly crosses anyone’s mind. The mere thought of it is enough to send shivers down one’s spine.
Despite cold showers being a practice as old as humanity itself, they have been overshadowed by hot showers, especially with the advent of industrialization and societal changes over time.
Shower Shenanigans
I went to a male public boarding high school which gave me a unique set of experiences that I have fond memories about. One of these experiences revolves around taking showers.
My high school is situated in an area that is relatively cold throughout the year. Hot showers were highly sought after.
Naturally, there were only a limited number of hot shower bathrooms available for the entire student body, leading to long queues.
They were always bustling with activity; there was never a moment when they weren’t occupied. If the hot water ran out, you were out of luck.
Underclassmen had it pretty rough. You could have been the next in line, but an upperclassman could swoop in and cut you due to “seniority privileges”.
I knew someone who would wake up as early as 3 am just to secure a hot shower. For most students, the only remaining option was either braving a cold shower or, well, skipping the shower altogether.
I vividly remember this hilarious occasion when one of our teachers walked into the classroom and immediately began complaining about the stench emanating from the room.
We always looked forward to the holidays or the end of high school, anticipating the day when we wouldn’t have to be burdened with the inconvenience of cold showers anymore.
My Experience
Dealing with a runny nose can be quite an annoying ordeal.
Sneezing, congestion, dull taste buds, red watery eyes, and a sore throat are some of the things you have to put up with when you catch a cold.
Worst of all is the constant and unpredictable flow of mucus from your nose. It’s as if your nasal floodgates have been burst open.
This was a huge aspect of my reality growing up. I always caught a cold for reasons which are still unclear to me today.
I suspect that perhaps it was genetic, as my father also suffered the same predicament. The only difference is he caught a cold less frequently than I did.
Whenever I woke up in the morning with a slightly stuffy and itchy nose, I knew it was going to be one of those days.
Even if I woke up fine, I still wouldn’t rejoice as the cold could ambush me at any point during the day.
Catching a cold was such a common occurrence during my childhood that I made it a habit to take precautions against it, even when it was unnecessary.
Whether preparing for school or a trip, I always made sure to have a supply of handkerchiefs, tissues, and common flu medications like Piriton or Cetirizine.
Sometimes, even if my nose felt a bit itchy for reasons unrelated to illness, I’d take a couple of these pills preemptively, fearing the onset of symptoms. Looking back, I realize that I was extremely paranoid.
Another Hyped Trend?
When I began weightlifting, looking for strategies on how I could maximize my gains became part of my lifestyle.
Much of the tips I got came from YouTube, and during one search, I came across a video from Gravity Transformations discussing the potential benefits of cold showers.
/media/4a1c987eae19b694348c2ae73e1592feCredits to Gravity Transformations
At first, I was perplexed. Why would someone shower with cold water anyway? It’s absurd — you’re literally subjecting yourself to unnecessary discomfort and misery.
However, the mention of “Improved Immunity” piqued my interest, and I decided that I might as well take a peek.
Beyond the potential for muscle gains, I learned that cold showers could be beneficial in boosting one’s immunity against common ailments such as flu and colds.
I decided to delve deeper into this topic and do further research. I discovered that many people utilized cold showers for various purposes, all of which contributed to their overall health.
These benefits include:
- Improved Blood Circulation: Cold showers help improve blood circulation throughout the body. The cold causes blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, which helps pump blood through the body to maintain ideal body temperature.
- Boosted Immunity: Cold exposure activates the immune system, causing it to release more white blood cells and antibodies. This could help fight common illnesses, like colds or flu, and reduce inflammation in the body.
- Improved Metabolism: Cold exposure causes the body to burn more calories to keep the body warm boosting metabolism. This could also promote weight loss although not to a significant extent.
- Skin and Hair Health: The cold closes pores to prevent the absorption of impurities. It may increase collagen production for smoother skin.
- Increased Willpower: Overcoming the initial discomfort of cold showers helps fortify your mind. The mental strength and discipline you build from the temporary discomfort of a cold shower could be leveraged in other aspects of life.
- Improved Mood & Reduced Depression: Exposure to cold is thought to release feel-good endorphins specifically noradrenaline and beta-endorphins. These hormones enhance attention, focus, and mood and studies suggest that cold water exposure could help reduce depression and anxiety.
As I read through the numerous testimonials of individuals who had found relief from colds through cold showers, I began envisioning a life free from the constant need to hoard tissues or rely on antibiotic pills.
More importantly, I pondered how much smoother my days could be without the inconvenience of dealing with a cold.
As much as I had gotten used to dealing with colds by this point, the possibility of living without constant caution of an impending cold intrigued me.
I decided that it was worth a shot trying to make it a reality.
Easier Said Than Done
I decided to embark on a 30-day experiment with cold showers to see how it would go. Here was my strategy:
Week 1: Finishing my showers with 2 cold minutes.
Week 2: Equal split between hot and cold.
From week 3 onwards, my goal was to exclusively take cold showers without any warm-ups.
It’s truly amusing how you get a surge of motivation when setting goals but when it comes to putting them into action, that motivation is almost non-existent.
I struggled to follow the plan I had laid out. During the first 2 weeks, I would find myself lingering longer under warm water, delaying the switch to cold.
When it finally came to switch, I would manage to spend a minute or even less, a far cry from the minutes I had initially intended.
Why put myself through unnecessary discomfort, you ask?
I asked myself the same when week 3 began.
A cold shower right off the bat felt like being zapped by lightning. There were numerous moments when I instinctively switched to warm water, and resisting the temptation took considerable effort.
What added to my frustration was that despite my efforts, I still caught colds from time to time. This led me to question whether it was all worth it. However, I reminded myself to be patient.
My body needed time to adapt, and the transformation wasn’t going to be instant.
Outcome
I have been doing cold showers for over a year now, and I have experienced a significant improvement in my overall well-being.
In this period, I’ve caught a cold fewer than five times. Considering how frequently I used to struggle with them in the past, this is a massive W for me.
Even on the occasions when I did fall ill, the colds were notably milder than before.
Additionally, the invigorating sensation I experience after a cold shower provides me with the mental clarity and alertness necessary to tackle the day ahead.
This gives me a sense of confidence that I can take on whatever challenges that come my way.
More than anything, making cold showers part of my routine has granted me a sense of freedom. I used to think that colds would be an inevitable aspect of my life and that I just had to live with that.
Now, I go about my day not having to think about having a stockpile of tissues or antibiotics in the event I catch a cold.
While medicine does have its place, I believe that the human body wasn’t built to thrive on drugs. Cold showers relieved me of the need to rely on antibiotics preemptively in anticipation that a cold could strike at any time.
This newfound freedom is something I am incredibly grateful for.
Closing Thoughts
So should you immediately start arctic showers to “unleash your inner warrior”, “completely transform your life” or some other cliché?
Nah, that’s not the point.
The main point here is to encourage you to embrace new experiences. If there’s something you’ve been hesitant to try that could potentially improve your life, why not give it a chance?
You never know what positive outcomes might arise. At the end of the day, you have nothing to lose.
However, if you are sold on the idea of cold showers, I recommend reading this article.
Cheers!