COLD PLUNGE THERAPY

In Mexico during the winter there was times we still had to take cold showers.

I got into cold plunge therapy back in 2020. Here is a pic of me getting in the cold waters of mintonka. Haha jp. This was up in NorCal, at Convict Lake, Eastern Sierra Nevada Mtns. Right before I moved out here to ABQ, NM.

I remember telling myself since I will be living close by El Rio Grande; "every winter I am going to go in the river right before the sun comes up or as the sun comes up," I began the journey. Every winter I will go 2-3 times out of the week and go in the waters of El Rio Grande . The first 2 weeks are the toughest. After a while breathing becomes easier and slower.

I now do a small fire right next to the water so when I get out I heat up.

This has become a lovely ceremony for me introducing the fire. I get to meditate and pray before I go in the river. Set an intention and gratitude with the fire, acknowledging the cleansing of the water and cold. Then I enter. When I return to the fire from the river. I get to alchemize with the land, river, fire, and all the ancestors around me.

Aside from the spiritual and existential connection this ceremony/therapy brings. As well as the breathing techniques one acquires here are:

The many health benefits to cold plunges:

• decrease inflammation

• offer a huge rush of endorphins,

• spike dopamine

• improve sleep and mood

• reduce stress

• help remedy aches and pains

• boost injury recovery

• reduce swelling

• potentially increase testosterone

• promote lymphatic drainage

• regulate hormones

• accelerate metabolism

I have experienced all these benefits and most importantly since I have done this during the winter I have seen an extreme decrease in getting sick from a cold or fever.

I am looking forward to doing them again this winter it is always a great way to acclimate to the weather.