Ace Mindset Journey | Appalachian Travel, Festivals, Food & Faith

Person stepping into a homemade cold plunge filled with water, illustrating DIY cold exposure, mental toughness, and discipline

Cold Moon, Cold Plunge: Benefits to Ice Bath.

December 27, 2023

— Home & Life Reset, Mindset & Intentional Growth

DIY Cold Plunge: Cold Moon, Cold Mindset

What Is a DIY Cold Plunge?

Easy At-Home Setup Options

DIY Cold Plunge Tub: 55 gallon barrel drum. (6 Week Update Review)

The cold moon is full tonight. Christmas has came, and the new year is upon us! This week between Christmas and New years; what day is it? It’s hard to keep track!

For Christmas, I was gifted a “cold plunge”. No.. I didn’t ask for one. And yes! I absolutely love it!

My sister who is also a life-long West Virginian. Clever, frugal, and resourceful. All kind words for the “redneck” stereotype. Some of us self-sufficient folks get a special label!

It was the biggest gift under the tree! Not under, but “beside”. I unwrapped it and it was a blue 55 gallon barrel! The lid was wrapped too. So smoothly cut off. She did good!

Shortly thereafter; I went outside and got the garden hose. It filled up about 2/3rds the way in less than 20 minutes. I set up a lawn chair next to it, to climb in. I checked the temperature; 48°! The outdoor temperature was 40°. Now. It’s ready!

Changed into my swim suit. Now. I’m ready!

Whoooo! It’s mighty chilly at first. I was breathing in and out. Like, being in labor. After about 30 seconds.. The wave of calm hits. This feeling of numbness throughout the whole body. No pain!

Oooh! Eee! Ooh! Eee!

Keep breathing!

Oooh! Eee!

I did about 2 minutes in the water. Then got out. I stood in the yard for 5 minutes, and let the sun “warm me up”. It was really nice.

Through controlled breathing and mindfulness; cold plunging isn’t as “horrible” as it may seem. My biggest complaint is the cold toes. There are far more pros on my list than cons!

Pros

I feel awake and energized
It minimizes my back pain
The breathing process is soothing
Fat burning, skin toning, metabolism, and many other health benefits
I feel like a legendary beast afterwards

Cons

My toes are pretty cold for about an hour or so after

I’m one of those “always cold” people. Layers, upon layers in the winter. And I think this is helping with that. After doing an ice bath in the morning; you’re pretty much invincible for the rest of the day!

Now, let me tell ya..I had to work up to this point. My whole life I’d say; how do people do these polar plunges on New Years? They’re crazy nuts!

Then last year; I was thinking.. “Man, I kind of want to do the Deep Creek Dunk”. (The Deep Creek Dunk is a great support cause for the Special Olympics; more information here. https://support.somd.org/event/2024-community-dunk/e535413)

Now I’ve dunked three days in a row! Yesterday morning, I brought my yoga mat outside. Did some stretches and flow work. It’s such a nice way to reconnect and feel that peace only God can give us. Our bodies are capable of doing amazing things. Our minds are amazingly capable as well.

It’s something I’ve found myself looking forward to. Tomorrow will be a break day.

Give it a try! All ya need is a 55 gallon barrel, Winter weather, and some crazy nuts!