Strengthen the ability to stand in discomfort

Coping with unpleasant situations calmly can seem challenging for many. But did you know that ice baths can actually help you with just this?

Text: Tina Hage

Make friends with the stress response

In a world characterized by resistance, discomfort and emotional challenge, we are constantly searching for methods to cope with stress and feel better. The vagus nerve, which plays a central role in the body's relaxation mechanisms, has a unique ability to induce a sense of well-being.

During ice bathing, this neural pathway is activated to tame the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response. The initial seconds of discomfort initiate a positive response that lasts much longer than the ice bath itself.; By standing in this situation, you teach your body a better response to stress and discomfort. This not only results in a strong feeling of mastery, but also helps to create a resistant attitude towards challenging situations and gives the brain an opportunity to create a new pattern in the longer term.

Path of least resistance:

We humans naturally seek well-being and avoid discomfort – even when this discomfort can contribute to our personal strength. We want to feel good and enjoy life, and the brain's reward system rewards us for this. Nevertheless, we are often faced with demands and expectations that challenge our inner balance. This is where the role of the ice bath comes in - by teaching the body to deal with stress and discomfort in a more resilient way, we create a new mental recipe for facing challenges