About This Practice
Your first ice bath: 10-15°C water for 2 minutes. Focus on slow breathing. Exit calmly without rushing.
How to Practice
Prepare a tub at 10-15°C — genuinely cold but not ice-water temperatures. Enter feet first, sit down slowly, then submerge to chest or shoulder level. The initial cold shock response will last 30-45 seconds. Breathe slowly through your nose. Do not fight the urge to gasp — watch it rise and fall without acting on it. Once breathing settles, notice the sensation without narrative ("this is cold" is enough; "I can't do this" is not). Stay for 2 minutes the first time. Exit slowly, dry off, dress in warm layers. Move your body — walk around, make a warm drink. Full rewarming takes 15-30 minutes.
Tips
Start at 15°C. You will adapt to colder temperatures over weeks.
Nose breathing, slow and steady. This is the single most important skill.
Two minutes is plenty for your first session. Consistency beats duration.
Exit feeling strong, not desperate. Build tolerance gradually.
Morning cold exposure has the strongest mood and energy effects.
Precautions
Consult a doctor first if you have any cardiovascular condition, high blood pressure, or are pregnant.
Do not practice alone for your first several sessions.
If the cold shock response does not settle after 90 seconds, exit — this is your body signalling overload.