Ice Water Dunking for Calm: Does It Really Work?
- this text details a week-long experiment where the author subjected themselves to daily ice facials (dunking their face in ice water) and documented the experience.
- * Inspired by: A video of someone holding their breath for over 3 minutes (the author could barely manage 5 seconds!).
- Felt grounded and present, perhaps a placebo effect or shock response.
Summary of the ice Facial Experiment
this text details a week-long experiment where the author subjected themselves to daily ice facials (dunking their face in ice water) and documented the experience. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
The Experiment:
* Inspired by: A video of someone holding their breath for over 3 minutes (the author could barely manage 5 seconds!).
* Method: Dunking face in ice water frist thing in the morning. Initially, the author learned after the first attempt that direct ice contact can be harmful and some prefer pre-freezing the water.
* Duration: 7 days.
daily Experience:
* Days 1-3: Surprisingly energizing, even before coffee. Felt grounded and present, perhaps a placebo effect or shock response.
* Days 4-6: Novelty wore off, becoming increasingly arduous and annoying.The author started procrastinating the ice facial. Used mindfulness techniques (focusing on bodily sensations learned from yoga/meditation) to stay calm and prevent abandoning the practice. Felt a sense of accomplishment after each dunk.
* Day 7: Increased the ice,resulting in a more intense (and unpleasant) experience.
Results & Reflections:
* Increased Productivity: The author reported being more productive at work, tackling difficult tasks earlier.
* Reduced Distraction: Less mindless scrolling on Instagram.
* Positive Ripple Effect: The new mindfulness practice reinforced existing self-care routines like daily walks.
* Overall: While unpleasant, the ice facial seemed to have a positive impact on focus, productivity, and overall well-being. The author suggests starting the day with a “hard thing” can make other tasks feel more manageable.
In essence, the author found that despite the initial discomfort and waning enthusiasm, the ice facial experiment yielded surprisingly positive results, highlighting the potential benefits of intentional discomfort and mindfulness practices.