I Thought Cold Showers' Benefits Were Overblown – Until I Was Forced To Try Them

After a week of unplanned cold water plunges, I've been surprised by the results.

Generally, I’m not a fan of any “self-optimisation” project that involves an excess of suffering.

For instance, I’m still not convinced the benefits of ice baths are worth the pain (science seems to be with me on that one). I’m profoundly at peace with my choice to avoid the Berkeley Marathon, too – especially considering that the health benefits of running seem to be about the same at 10km a week as at longer distances.

So, I hope you’ll forgive me for being sceptical about the benefits of cold showers. For a while, it felt like unnecessary discomfort, be it from fasting or freezing plunges, was being pushed as the only way to boost our mood, health, and lifespan. And frankly, I have enough friction in my life already.

But recently, our boiler broke down, meaning I had no choice but to endure cold showers for several mornings in a row........

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