Cold exposure has a hugely positive impact on mental performance, as the skills, practices and mindset required to calm the body and mind under the physical and mental stress of the cold, effectively carries over into other physical and mental stressors that we face day to day, whether that’s a work, environmental, exercise, or other stress.
Some of the processes and mechanisms that are developed through cold exposure include:
- Lowering your heart rate to a calm level utilising your breath;
- Testing and developing discipline and fortitude by following through with a commitment to regular cold exposure;
- Making the strong mental choice to do what’s difficult in getting in and staying in the cold;
- Shutting out external thoughts and voices saying you can’t do something or that it’s too hard;
- Having a readily available tool to totally recharge and refresh when you’re not feeling 100% or needing to be super alert.
