Playa Haters of Cold Exposure

Ice Baths, cold showers, and deliberate cold exposure, in general, are incredible for health and mood; if you are on social media, you know it’s trending right now in a colossal way. Alongside the hundreds of thousands of people embracing the challenging endeavor for self-betterment are hoards of haters, bothered by this fad and the excessive posting of the practice on social media. Dave Chappelle’s Silky Johnston would be proud because the internet has some of the most diabolical cold-exposure haters this side of the Mississippi, but why. Our species tend to compare ourselves to one another, followed by a neutral, positive, or negative emotional response. People all over social media are complaining about this trend and downplaying its heavily studied benefits. Our society chooses role models such as professional athletes, actors, and other celebrities and puts them on a pedestal, elevated beings that accomplish difficult goals and or overcome adversity. Many don’t view these individuals as equals or normal, so a comparison is less common. It’s easy to see Lebron James jump over five people, slam it down easily, and not compare ourselves to him; nobody else can do that. James’s work ethic and natural ability are unattainable to most, the question, “why can’t I do that?” Does not torment our psyche. When Joe, the forty-four-year-old accountant, uses cold showers and ice baths to fuel his newfound health journey, rejuvenating his mood, energy, and endurance, all while supporting a family and a standard 9-5, the question, “why can’t I do that?” seems a lot more logical. The emotional and physical benefits are at your fingertips, and the method is simple and attainable, the uncomfortable practice of cold therapy. Your mind comfortably accepts when celebrities and professional athletes conquer challenges; however, now Joe’s latest #Ice-Bath post is tormenting you, daring you to switch the faucet to cold, embrace the discomfort and enhance your life. Your emotions flow like water in your mind, following the neuropathways chiseled and carved out for years, but you can chisel new ones. The pathway of inspiration turning the faucet to cold or the path of the hater, convincing yourself of every excuse why you’re not except it’s difficult and you choose comfort.