22/04/2023
Swipe to see the phases our brains and bodies go through when entering the ice! This is from our last workshop in Aldsworth:
1st - Shock
2nd - Decision time. Do I allow the shock to become panic or choose to relax?
3rd - Peace.
But what is happening?
When we go into the ice a few things happen. Firstly our unconscious brain (that makes up 95% of our brain activity), goes “holy s**t this is cold”, it then signals our body to release hormones, change our chemistry, heat us up and protect our healthy cells. It does this because our brains are clever but stupid. It thinks we will be in the ice forever! Therefore it activates every evolutionary defence it can to save and prolong our healthy life and it is incredibly good at doing so. By going in for only a short time, 30 seconds, 90 seconds, 2 minutes, we benefit from these natural defences without risking the drawbacks of prolonged exposure to cold.
When our brain sends these unconscious signals, our conscious brain (that makes up only 5% of our neurological activity!), has a choice. Panic, allow that feeling to overwhelm us or choose to relax our breathing, start slow and long exhales and become “comfortable in the uncomfortable”. Our unconscious knows what to do, by following these steps we align the signals coming from our brain, detach from panic and come out happy! Self assured! And full of beneficial hormones to maximise our healthy life.
