Ice Baths: The Morning Routine Of Winners

The Morning Routine Of Winners

Do you ever wake up feeling groggy, sluggish, and just full to the brim with dread? Staying in bed until the very last minute before rolling out and dragging yourself into the outside world is not the way to start any day. Trust me, we've all been there. But what if I told you there's a simple, invigorating solution that can transform your mornings from dreary to dynamic? Enter the world of ice baths.

Now, before you start picturing yourself submerged in a freezing tub of water, hear me out. Ice baths may sound intimidating at first, but once you experience the incredible benefits they offer, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Picture this: you roll out of bed, still half-asleep, struggling to shake off the remnants of sleepiness. But instead of reaching for that third cup of coffee to jolt yourself awake, you head straight for your trusty ice bath. As you lower yourself into the icy water, an immediate rush of sensations floods over you. Your heart races, your breath catches, and every cell in your body feels electrified. It's invigorating, it's exhilarating, and most importantly, it's energising.

The cold water works its magic, sending signals to your brain to wake up and get moving. Your circulation improves, flooding your muscles with oxygen-rich blood and flushing out toxins. As you soak, you can feel the tension melting away, replaced by a sense of calm and clarity.

But the benefits don't stop there. Research has shown that regular exposure to cold water (11 minutes per week in total) can help reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leaving you feeling more balanced and resilient in the face of daily challenges. So not only are you starting your day with a burst of energy, but you're also arming yourself with the tools to tackle whatever comes your way with grace and composure. Science also shows that cold water exposure can boost your dopamine - the ‘happy hormone’ - by up to 250%. That’s a 2.5X in happiness before your day begins. What’s better, doom scrolling social media or giving yourself a natural high before the work day begins?

If you are an avid gym-goer or fitness enthusiast,  you're also going to feel the benefits of less muscle aches and faster recovery. No more walking like John Wayne round the office or taking 3X as long to get up the stairs..

Jumping into that cold water is going to shake the cobwebs off for sure. There is no cup of coffee quite like that ice-cold water to kickstart your day. How unstoppable are you gonna feel the rest of the day, after starting your day off with some die-hard self improvement?

Now, I won't lie to you—taking the plunge into icy waters takes some getting used to. But like any worthwhile habit, the more you practice, the easier it becomes. And once you experience the incredible impact it has on your mornings, you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner.