[bitsinthesky]

Wearing only underwear and socks, I had the opportunity last year to do a guided ice plunge following breathing exercises. One curious piece is we were instructed to keep our hands above the water, supposedly it helps your body something with hypothermia regulation.

It was stressful until I put my head under. The experience became amazing, I felt fantastic, and the entire event became a blast. I told everyone I'd start doing it weekly, which of course never happened. But I recommend more people give it a try.

A fun side fact for those knowing University of Wisconsin Madison -- the established outdoor activities club is called Hoofer's, but my friend named his ice plunge club "Hoffer's", appropriately named after Wim Hof. Hoofer's gave him a laughably hard time over affront, but he hasn't backed down.

[number6]

> It was stressful until I put my head under.

I a similar experience: If I start a cold shower by splashing cold water in my face it is totally doable. If I start with any other body part it is extremely stressfull

[RHSman2]

When I cold shower I do the initial grunt and then desperately want to get my head under. Every time. And then it is more manageable.