I love super hot showers and don’t have much body fat. I hate the cold ever since getting frost nip on a mountaintop in Colorado at 14,000 ft up and not being able to feel my fingertips for over a month. I never imagined I would ever want to get into a tub of ice water. But here I am, neck deep in it.

About two years ago, I came across a video about Wim Hof, the Iceman. I went down the rabbit hole, reading internet blogs, his book, and watching several videos. I followed his suggestion to start by ending my hot showers with a cool rinse. I slowly turned the temperature down a little each day but never got to the coolest setting, even after two years. Yes, I hate the cold. I could never bear the thought of jumping into a tub full of ice and water for two minutes.

I traveled to Casa Om on the Potomac in West Virginia to attend a Autumn Yoga Retreat with Hargobind to learn about the retreat business. A cold plunge was on the schedule. I thought, “This is something much easier to do as part of a class than trying to do it by yourself for the first time.”

It wasn’t exactly like the Wim Hof method, but it was very similar. Our instructor, Hargobind, gave a talk on focus. He said, You get more benefit in a shorter amount of time than from any other treatment or workout. Then he led a guided breathing meditation. I volunteered to go first, as I’ve found that going last is the worst. If someone before you has issues, they might model something you don’t want to do. I think waiting just adds more time to fear the challenge. I was hoping Hargobind would demonstrate it first, but that didn’t happen. I let my body go on autopilot, because if I stopped moving toward the cold water, I would let my mind take over and not plunge into the freezing water below.

So, there I was, standing above the huge metal tub, with 50 pounds of ice floating in the water. As I stepped in, I was aware of the crackle of the ice, the sound of my own shaky breaths, and the quiet guidance from Hargobind. The initial shock stole the breath from my lungs. My body began to shiver as I felt my skin burning and starting to go numb. Hargobind, the yoga instructor, guided me through the process and encouraged me to do my best. After about 60 seconds, I was ready to get out, but he had me move my arms and legs, then relax and go deeper, which I did. When I heard 1:55,”I relaxed, knowing it was almost over. I didn’t quite understand what he meant by “sticking my head in the water,” so I just rubbed ice on my face. I wasn’t cold after getting out. I felt great! After two years of wanting to do a cold plunge, I finally did it! Watch the video of my first cold plunge experience.

The Science Behind the Shivers

My post-plunge high wasn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s rooted in a powerful physiological response. I’ve since learned there’s real science behind that incredible rush. Cold exposure is a powerful tool for both the body and mind, offering benefits like:

• Boosted Mood and Focus: Cold water immersion triggers a release of endorphins and dopamine, the “feel-good” hormones. This can lead to a natural high and a lasting sense of mental clarity.
• Reduced Inflammation and Pain: A major reason athletes use cold plunges is for recovery. The cold constricts blood vessels, which helps flush metabolic waste and reduce swelling and inflammation in sore muscles.
• Strengthened Mental Resilience: The act of voluntarily enduring discomfort builds mental fortitude and discipline. You train your mind to stay calm under stress, a skill that translates to all areas of life.
• Improved Circulation and Immunity: Regular cold exposure stimulates your circulatory system and can increase the production of white blood cells, giving your immune system a natural boost.

That two-minute plunge didn’t just make me feel great in the moment; it proved to me that my body was capable of so much more than I thought. I want to bring this unique longevity enhancing technique to the Golden Mermaid Villa.

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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.