“And, go!” the specialist exclaimed. Suddenly I was in the tub. My breathing quickened, and I sat frozen with the water up to my ribs. I tried to focus on something, anything, to pass the time and not embrace every single second. I suddenly appreciated our song choices, and the encouraging words of the specialist. Unlike my high school days, I made the decision to stay in the water.
The first 90 seconds are the hardest, as your body becomes acclimated to the temperature. But after that, I felt my muscles relax and I was slowly able to ease more into the water. Remedy Place recommends getting in up to your chest for the full benefit.
Faster than anticipated, the first song was over and the familiar hum of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough sang over the speakers. I smiled to myself—halfway there. To pass the time, I sang the words softly, already eager to call my mom and tell her what I’ve done. One minute left. Then 30 seconds, 15 seconds…five, four, three, two, one.
I arose from the water, sat on the bed, and quickly grabbed my towel. My legs, visibly red, felt cold to the touch. No matter what sensations my body felt, nothing could shake the smile on my face.
There are many reasons why someone might appreciate a cold plunge: the easing of sore muscles, the circulation boost; but for me, it was about feeling proud of myself. For actively choosing to push my body past limitations I placed on myself. For showing up for myself and not giving up.
And to me, that meant everything. I did four more cold plunges through Remedy Places’s cold plunge challenge in January; and honestly, I would’ve done more if I lived closer to its flagship. (A new, lower-Manhattan location is reportedly in the works.) With each session, the plunges got easier.
But no matter what, I always left with that same accomplished feeling—more motivated than ever to keep moving. Who knew six minutes could leave such a lasting impression?