I see myself as an adventurer – always exploring and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. But even for me, the adventure can become routine. For example, while the icebath is challenging for most people, I do it daily with my clients for anywhere from 6-10 minutes. It has become routine.
I believe that challenging oneself moving out of our comfort zone is the best way to get to know yourself, which has many positive benefits from mindset and therefore life. So when I had the opportunity last week to take a solo icebath – I gave myself a challenge.
It was not until I finish my 30 minutes of breathwork and came down to the beach to the ice bath that I decided what the challenge would be. Twenty minutes in a colder than usual ice bath. This is the longest I had ever tried and in colder water than I was used to. I would be out of my comfort zone. I did not tell anyone, I was alone on the beach. I set the timer and went into the pool. I focused on my breath. When a thought came, I brought my attention back to my breath. And there were thoughts!
- “This is easy.”
- “I am cold.”
- “I am not sure I can do this.”
- “I wish I brought someone here to record me.”
At 18 minutes my partner walked up. I asked him to make a video so I could share the experience with others. So the last two minutes I am no longer focusing on my breath. I am excited because the end is near. I can feel that I will have a successful challenge.
Completed ✔
