My Cold Shower Challenge

Ending your shower with cold water… supposedly, it’s the secret to instant alertness, laser-sharp clarity, and the kind of energy that could power a small city. Plus, there’s talk of increased blood flow (thanks to your heart going into overdrive when the icy deluge hits) and healthier skin and hair. As someone borderline obsessed with peak performance, how could I not dive headfirst into this challenge? And really, who doesn’t want to emerge from the bathroom glowing like a skincare commercial?

Then there’s the science-y stuff. Studies suggest cold exposure might just be your immune system’s bestie, reduce inflammation, prevent muscle soreness, rev up your metabolism and even help with pain relief by short-circuiting your brain’s pain perception. Sounds almost magical, right? Oh, and let’s not forget the brain boost: apparently, it’s a workout for your anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) — the part of your brain responsible for accountability, motivation, decision-making, and resisting the siren call of that second cookie.

How do you grow your aMCC, you ask? By doing things you’d rather not do, like gruelling workouts, public speaking, tough conversations, competitive sports, learning tricky new skills, resisting cravings, and, yep, braving cold showers. The more you flex your “I’d-really-rather-not” muscle, the stronger it gets.

So here I am, eight days into this cold shower challenge. Do you have any idea how long 30 seconds is when you have cold water running over your body? (Thanks a lot, Wim Hof. I see you, Iceman.) Just kidding — I actually admire the guy. But seriously, if aMCC growth is a thing, mine must now rival a bodybuilder’s biceps. Because here’s the truth: I still hate cold water. I suspect I always will. Benefits? Miracles? Nada. Not yet, anyway. But if there’s one thing I’ve gained, it’s an expanded vocabulary — mostly in the category of words you shouldn’t say in polite company.

Am I going to quit? Absolutely not. Quitting isn’t in my DNA. As an ultra-distance runner, I’ve learned to push through pain, adversity, and the occasional existential crisis. That ability to just keep going has its own kind of payoff: a euphoric high that comes from doing something you thought was impossible. That’s exactly how I’m approaching this cold shower thing. Sure, it’s a major challenge. But if nothing else, it’s adding another notch to my peak-performance belt. And who knows? Maybe someday, I’ll step out of a freezing shower feeling like Superman. For now, I’ll settle for the satisfaction of sticking it out. Cold water and all.

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