DM #373: Cold shower, cold tub, cold air, cold whatever, causes an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, aka your flight or fight system. Voluntarily exposing yourself to these “artificial” environments (being in a kiddie pool filled with ice in Southern California) allows for an underlying feeling of safety and thus an effective way of training your sympathetic response.
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Just like with any kind of physical training, providing a safety net or sorts allows one to go farther and try things that they otherwise would not. The same goes for cold exposure. Using a cold shower or the like creates an underlying sense of safety as you know that you could step out or walk away at any instance. This in theory allows you to more easily work towards calming your nervous system and not freaking the F out as soon as that cold water hits your face.
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As for the main message of this DM, cold exposure serves as a way to train your sympathetic nervous system and the response that you have to stressful situations. Notice I simply said ‘stressful’ situations. That could be ANY kind of stress. Physical, mental, emotional, whatever. Your body doesn’t know the difference. Stress is stress.
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So, what I’m trying to say is that cold exposure training can potentially help you be less of a hot-head (total pun intended). For real though. This stuff is legit. Check out @iaumunscared, @powerspeedendurance, @iceman_hof, and @preparetoperform for more info.
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