If hating winter was a job, I’d be a millionaire. The way my fingers turn stiff while I wait for the bus? Hate it.

The cold wind, snow, and hail? Hate that too. That one friend who insists that “winter is so cozy” while I’m shivering like a chihuahua? Definitely hate it.

But I have to admit that despite my personal altercation with the cold, I willingly started plunging myself into freezing water. As it turns out, the cold is not always that awful. It is actually beneficial, especially when it comes to mental health and motivation.

So, what changed? How did I go from avoiding the cold like my math homework to implementing it in my everyday life? The answer is simple: I discovered the benefits of ice baths and cold showers.

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My Journey with Cold Showers

If someone had told me a month ago that they were taking ice baths or cold showers, I would probably have thought they were crazy—or crazy brave.

But life is stressful. College applications, exams, and figuring out the future are things we can’t really avoid, and most of us are seeking activities that could help us stay calm. For me, no matter how many self-help podcasts I listened to, nothing seemed to help.

Then, one day, while scrolling through a ton of wellness hacks, I started reading about the concept of cold exposure. Allegedly, people felt more energized, more resilient, and cold exposure had become part of their daily routine. Of course, I was apprehensive, but at the same time, these people kind of convinced me.

So, I finally tried it.

First Experience

I’m not gonna lie—for the first 10 seconds, it felt awful. My heart was beating so fast, I had goosebumps everywhere, and I was convinced it was a mistake.

But after those horrible 10 seconds, my body started adjusting, and so did my mind. Instead of panicking, I just started breathing. The stress and tiredness were gone.

I stepped out of that shower feeling more awake, more focused, and (against all logic) kind of…good?

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Why Cold Exposure Works

I’m not saying you should take an ice bath or freezing shower just because I did. Though, the science behind it is pretty convincing.

1. Instant Mood Boost

According to Czech research, cold exposure can increase dopamine, the “happy hormone” responsible for your motivation, by up to 250%— more than what a cup of coffee can. If you want to feel instantly more motivated and full of energy, a cold shower might be your new best friend.

2. Calming Effect

The National Institutes of Health claim that cold showers and ice baths lower cortisol levels, known as the stress hormone, which is responsible for anxiety and overthinking. Cold exposure helps your nervous system become better at handling stress, making you more resilient to your daily worries.

3. Mental Clarity

Your brain can’t overthink when it’s focused on something else—in this case, the temperature shock. It makes your body focus on the present moment, making cold water one of the fastest ways to clear your mind and stay more focused.

4. Resilience Training

We’ve all gone through awkward social situations, hard decisions, and overthinking phases—at least some of us. Ice baths train you to breathe through difficult situations instead of running from them. If you can sit in freezing water for just two minutes, you are more capable of handling that awkward situation or that one uncle who won’t stop asking about your future.

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How to Try It Without Giving Up

If the thought of cold water makes you skeptical, don’t worry—you can ease into it.

My Favorite Techniques:

1. The 30-Second Shower Method

- If you don't feel brave enough, finish your shower with 30 seconds of cold water.

- Each day, try adding a little more time.

2. Face Dunking

Fill a bowl with ice and cold water, then dunk your face in for 2 minutes with 20-second breaks.

- Great for stress relief and also for puffiness (fun fact: it’s part of Bella Hadid's routine).

3. The Ice Bath/Cold Shower (Final Step)

- Fill a tub with cold water and ice. If you don’t have ice, cold water alone will work.

- Sit in it for 2–5 minutes and take deep breaths.

- The first 10 seconds might be challenging, but after that, your body adjusts.

The 7-Day Cold Exposure Challenge

Let’s make this fun. For the next 7 days, I challenge you to:

- End your shower with 30 seconds of cold water.

- If you’re feeling brave, increase the time each day.

- Notice how it affects your mood, focus, and stress level.

- Comment below or tell a friend how you feel after.

And trust me, once you prove to yourself that you can sit through the discomfort, even that overwhelming to-do list won’t seem so scary anymore.

Image Credit: Mk.s from Unsplash

Final Thoughts

I will always hate winter and freezing wind, and I will always refuse to leave my house when it’s below 50°F.

But...ice baths are simply different. They helped me take control of stress, build resilience, and give my mind the reset it truly needed. So, the next time you feel like your brain is overwhelmed, don’t scroll looking for answers. Take a deep breath and turn the water to cold.

Good luck!