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You are here: Home / Adventures / Cold Shower Therapy

Cold Shower Therapy

March 30, 2012 By Joel Runyon 226 Comments

Cold Shower Therapy is a strategy I’ve used a couple of times in the last year to help myself start doing the things I know I need to be doing (h/t to Nick Reese for getting me hooked). If you find yourself self-sabotaging with all the impossible things you want to be doing, with avoidance and procrastination, Cold Shower Therapy is the best tool I know of to help you start doing.

Update: There’s now an official Cold Shower Therapy App

Cold Shower Therapy

cold shower therapy

Sometimes you just have to dive in.

If you’re staring at a project and having trouble convincing yourself to start or find the beginning point and work your way through it, you might need to throw it out, start from scratch, and dive in headfirst. Planning be damned.

If you’ve been trying to lose weight with a workout here and a workout there, you need to go full throttle, lift heavy, sprint everywhere, and rid your entire kitchen of junk food.

If you’re working on your business and are overwhelmed, you might need to stop trying to plan every detail of your five-year plan and just dive in and focus every ounce of energy you have on making your first dollar.

Dive in.

Get after it.

Go so hard you stop thinking about anything else.

Go military on your goal. Be ruthless. Go a little bit crazy. Get a maniacal look in your eye that shows people your addiction and insanity. Make it an obsession. 

Changing Your Mentality

You have to be a little bit nuts to do this. The part about addiction and insanity? It’s not just hyperbole. You need to alter your mental approach to things. Instead of seeing if there’s a way that you could possibly do something, you decide you’re going to crush it. Not because someone said you can, not because you know you can, but simply because you’ve decided to.

You stop going into things scared. You don’t worry about fear anymore, not because it’s not there, but because you have the courage to do what you’re doing despite being scared out of your mind.

You’ll probably get some weird looks from your friends, but what are they doing anyway? Exactly.

Cold Shower Therapy

Take cold showers first thing in the morning. As soon as you get up. Jump in the shower. Close your eyes and turn the temperature to cold. Not just cold. Not ice cold. Try we-just-piped-this-water-in-from-Antarctica-because-the-penguins-won’t-swim-in-it-cold. Do this for thirty days in a row. I call it Cold Shower Therapy because it, quite literally, is therapy.

The first day you try Cold Shower Therapy (or CST)m it will suck. You’ll stare at the shower head for ten minutes and start crying just by thinking about it. Your heart will begin to beat fast. You might break out into a cold sweat. And, if you’re brave, you’ll turn it to cold for a whole five seconds before shrieking and quickly backing out of the challenge and turning the shower back to hot.

The second day, you might get the shower to run cold for a whole ten seconds, but it’ll still be too much, so you’ll turn it to hot and try to warm up again.

The third day (or however long it takes you), you’ll stare down the faucet of fear, grit your teeth, and just dive in with everything you have. You’ll turn the shower to a bone-chilling temperature and let out a few choice words involuntarily (you might want to warn any roommates that you’re planning on doing this, so they know you’re OK).

The big change happens after you decide to actually do it. As you immerse yourself in the water, you welcome the cold. You make sure it gets all over your arms, your legs, the back of your neck, and definitely your crotch. You might yell out a few Tarzan screams, but, once you decide to do it, you lean into it and you’re not afraid of it anymore. 

When you decide to turn the cold to blast, you realize one thing very, very quickly:

IT SUCKS

A LOT.

Like, really bad. The first thirty to sixty seconds are hell on earth. They’re every bit as terrible as you imagined they would be.

But once you hit that sixty second mark, you start to adapt. The water is as cold as ever, but you’ve already gotten as cold as you’re going to get and you’re not going to get any colder. You body does an awesome thing. It starts to adapt. Pretty soon, you realize that, as cold as the water is, it’s not *that* cold anymore. The trepidation that you had before the shower is gone. You don’t have to fear what it’s like anymore, because you know firsthand what it’s like. And it sucks, but it gets better because it makes you better.

Becoming Invincible

Cold Shower Therapy makes you invincible. No lie. After your first few five minute face-offs with the shower, nothing can stop you. Why?

CST shows you how weak an emotion fear really is.

When you’re staring at that faucet from hell, you’re only thinking one thing: this is going to suck, this is going to suck, this is going to suck. Why? Because it sucks and you’re afraid it’s going to suck. But something sucking doesn’t mean you can’t overcome it. Something being hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Being afraid of something doesn’t mean you have to stay afraid.

When you stare at the faucet, realize the suck is going to happen, and decide to lean into it, all of a sudden you embrace the suck. Instead of running from the fear, you challenge it. You dare it to beat you. If you’re crazy enough to do that, fear usually turns around and runs home pretty quickly when it sees you’ve decided that you won’t lose.

The same thing happens when you get to a project in the middle of the day and you hesitate for a moment instead of doing it. You can do this with a workout, a business task, or even that phone call you know you need to make but that you keep putting off because you know it might not be 100% fun and games. If you don’t want to do it, you put it off and move onto something else. That’s standard protocol.

But once you’ve gone through Cold Shower Therapy, things change. After you’ve stared at the shower head and conquered the cold in the shower that morning, you begin to recognize that hesitation. You realize the hesitation you have when it comes to the project/business/workout is the exact same fear you see in the shower. And you realize you’ve already beaten it once that day and that the only way it can actually hurt you is by stopping you from doing what you need to do.

That hesitation, that fear, that flinch? Over time it becomes familiar.

Slowly, you realize it’s just a big monster in your closet. Big, scary, and all in your imagination. You’re bigger than it. You’re better than it. And you’ve already beaten it. It has nothing on you. Cold Shower Therapy makes you invincible.

You realize that if you jump in, sometimes the first sixty seconds of your project/goal/milestone will absolutely suck (usually they really will), but after that, you move on, dominate, and grow stronger.

And absolutely nothing can stop you. You’re invincible.

How To Use Cold Shower Therapy

What is this form of modern torture good for? We have hot water for a reason! I use it to get stuff done. I pick one thing that I’m going to do for thirty days and I do it. I’ve done this two or three times now and I always end up better for doing it. This is how I frame it.

  1. Choose one project. One goal. One impossible thing.
  2. Find a date to start. Take your first cold shower. (The times you wuss out and back out don’t count. Start counting from the first time you get to five minutes.)
  3. Once you reach five minutes, start counting your showers.
  4. Take one five minute cold shower every morning for thirty days.
  5. Throw a ten minute shower in there just for fun.
  6. Finish your project. Do something impossible. Change your life.
  7. #BOOM

The Cold Shower Therapy Challenge

I’m tired of writing, so let’s do this.

Cold showers. Every day for the month of April. Pick one impossible thing. Do it and finish it.

I’m doing it. Are you?

Deal with your fear this weekend. It’s time to put up or shut up. Do something impossible or go home. Give CST a try.

(Let me know what you’re planning on doing in the comments below.)

The Official CST App

Get the official Cold Shower Therapy App

What Does Cold Shower Therapy Actually Do?

Photo credit: Éole cc

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Filed Under: Adventures, Hacks, The Impossible Tagged With: cold shower, cold shower benefits, cold shower therapy, cold showers

About Joel Runyon

I started IMPOSSIBLE to push myself to try to live a life worth writing about by pushing my limits, living an adventure & telling a great story by doing the impossible. You can get free updates in your inbox via your new favorite newsletter, free fitness training tutorials, and see all my businesses at Impossible X and our philanthropic efforts at Impossible.org

Comments

  1. Rob Jaques says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Run every morning, first thing upon waking! The cold shower after will actually be refreshing!

    Reply
    • Pete says

      March 30, 2012 at 10:27 am

      Rob beat me to it, but I’ll take this. Up early to run and then an ice cold shower? Thank you sir. I’ll have another!

      Reply
      • Josh Crocker says

        March 30, 2012 at 12:39 pm

        Agreed with both of you. Open up those pores for some nice cold water to get that lactic acid flushed out after the run. Mmmmm!

        Reply
        • Joanna says

          April 3, 2012 at 8:23 pm

          I was going to ask if post-workout is “cheating.” Apparently not happy to note. It is like combining shower and ice bath and surprisingly feels better than the sauna. Woot multitasking!

          Reply
          • Peter D. says

            December 8, 2012 at 4:01 pm

            If you are getting up every morning to run in the first place, you probably don’t even need the cold showers. It always helps, though!

        • Joanna says

          April 3, 2012 at 8:26 pm

          I gave myself a pass the first day for finishing my first tri but will make it up on the back end. 2/2 for 5 minutes and have felt great.
          Outside of the showers, I’ve committed to a body-fat-loss challenge and by the end of April will have my temp page down and content up on one of my side-project sites. Stay tuned sportsfans…

          Reply
      • Josh Crocker says

        March 30, 2012 at 12:41 pm

        Ah Joel you beat me to this post (you wrote it better though)…Been doing cold showers for the past 2 weeks as part of our Tough Mudder training.

        And yes, it sucks significantly LESS after day 14 than it did on day 1. It’s a confidence booster, in a weird and crazy sort of way.

        Reply
        • Jason Rogers says

          January 17, 2013 at 5:40 pm

          What if getting up and exercising IS the impossible thing that you are trying tackle? So do I then shower, then run, then shower again? If so, are they BOTH cold?

          Reply
  2. David Moore says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:18 am

    OK Joel. So now you’re going into S & M? Haha. I can’t imagine cold showers sucking any less on day 30 than day 1. In Tim Ferriss 4HB book, he mentioned some cold shower therapy. Tried it and you got it, IT SUCKS. But 30 days? I don’t know man. I’m a night owl and a nice hot shower doesn’t get me out of bed. I may start to stink if I have to start with a cold shower.

    But I do see the point you are trying to make. It’s like shock therapy in your workouts to jump start muscle growth. We get in ruts both mentally and physically. You need some kind of KITA. But cold showers? Please no, say it ain’t so Joel.

    Reply
  3. Zdenek F says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:13 am

    I’m in.

    Reply
  4. Michael Day says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:29 am

    I’m in. Sounds like the perfect challenge to practice overcoming the flinch. Great article. Good analogy for any sort of daunting project, too.

    Reply
    • CoolRay says

      May 29, 2017 at 7:32 pm

      I’m a senior man (62yrs.). started this 30 days ago. Never did it before in my life. Definitely life changing. Wife thinks I’m a cool, manly and sexy angel now. I feel very masculine. must be a testosterone builder. Wish I’d done it as a young man!! Go for it guy…you can’t go wrong with this one

      Reply
  5. ashley a says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:55 am

    alright joel, if you’re crazy, i’m crazy. if you’re a bird, i’m a bird? eh, it works. i do 8am workouts, so i’ll do this right after my workouts (added benefits!)

    you going to make a thread in the league for those who are going to complete this?

    Reply
  6. Jarie Bolander says

    March 30, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Actually this technique is one that the author of Flinch, Julien Smith (published by the domino project), suggests people to do condition themselves to not be afraid of challenge or struggle (check out the Flinch link in Joels post).

    I think it’s still free and well worth the quick read.

    I remember after a Muddy Buddy the shower was a high pressure water hose and a bunch of garden faucets — that was really had to take.

    Reply
    • Leon says

      January 19, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      Oh cool thanks for that comment! I looked up Flinch and it’s free on Amazon! Just sent it to my kindle

      Reply
  7. Justin Miller says

    March 30, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    Ive been doing this every morning for a while ever since I read flinch. I liken it to having an IV of coffee hooked up to you. What a rush.

    It really comes in handy when taking a “shath” (when you’re taking a shower but are just to F-ing tired and say screw it and just lay down in the tub).

    Everyone needs to give this a whirl.

    Reply
  8. Sergio Felix says

    March 30, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    I always wake up lazy and I definitely want something to get me started rocking from the moment I open my eyes.

    However that cold shower ‘therapy’ sounds insane.

    I usually shower with hot water even on hot days so I know this is NOT going to be easy at all, I totally hate and can’t stand cold water.

    But a man has to do, what he has to do.

    Who knows… I may even record them. Should be fun to watch someone yelling insanely for the first showers although I agree with David.

    I don’t see how the last shower is going to suck any less than the first one, particularly on my case but I’ll see.

    Cheers!
    Sergio

    Reply
  9. Kyle says

    March 30, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Great timing, Joel! I’ve done a month-long challenge since January 1st and was thinking about what to do for April.

    This will also help toughen me up mentally for The Comrades Marathon, so it’s perfect.

    Run, cold shower, write my damn book!

    Reply
  10. Kurt Swann says

    March 30, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    Just did 42 seconds! . . .So I’m in but still need to come up with an Impossible thing. And get to 5 minutes. To be continued . . .

    Reply
    • Kurt Swann says

      April 1, 2012 at 10:32 pm

      Okay, did 5 minutes today. Only 29 days left 🙂

      And my impossible thing for April is to skydive from 30,000 feet. Normal jumps are from around 13,000 feet so the higher altitude makes it a little tricky. . . need to use oxygen and wear extra clothing cause of the low temperatures. So weather/equipment/scheduling has to all fit together. But will cross my fingers 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rita says

    March 31, 2012 at 12:08 am

    oh god. I feel nauseous.

    gulp

    cold shower you say?

    for girls too?

    oh man.

    okay. the month of april.

    *choke*

    I’m in.

    Reply
  12. Michelle DeSpain says

    March 31, 2012 at 1:05 am

    Hurrah for starting the Impossible on April 1! (And we’re not fooling!) I’ve always dreamed of writing a screenplay. So I’m doing it. Starting April 1st. Along with other frenetic screenpeeps at scriptfrenzy.org.

    As for the cold showers . . . .

    I’m far too hedonistic in my showers to ever consider this.

    I will continue to take my long and luxurious hot showers while the rest of you crazy kids freeze your tuckuses off. 😉

    Happy April, Everyone!

    Reply
  13. Guy Davoren says

    March 31, 2012 at 2:43 am

    Cool idea Joel.
    I can’t do it though, our water isn’t too cold out of the tap, it is a good temp.

    Reply
    • Claire says

      April 14, 2012 at 12:59 pm

      Get a plumber round to make it colder! 🙂

      Reply
      • Guy Davoren says

        April 18, 2012 at 3:29 am

        ha ha
        I wonder if a plumber has ever had that request? Joel might have opened up a new line of work for someone.

        Reply
        • Claire says

          April 19, 2012 at 8:16 am

          So here’s one for you. I was originally planning to start this in May. Figured this morning that there was no point in putting it off so after my (personal best) run this morning, I jumped right in. Lo and behold the water didn’t seem as cold as I’d imagined it would.

          Now, either I have a higher tolerance to cold water than I thought, or I have the same issue!

          However, this was at my office so will try again tomorrow morning at home and report back!!

          Reply
        • Claire says

          April 20, 2012 at 4:11 am

          Right, two for two. Timed myself this morning and hadn’t finished washing by 5 minutes so carried on! I found it pretty easy.

          I still don’t know if it’s because of the temperature or my tolerance. Tomorrow will be the hairwash so that’ll be the real test.

          Reply
          • Guy Davoren says

            April 6, 2013 at 7:25 am

            Ok, it is cooling down now. I have been having cold showers now for about 5 weeks (apart from 1 day when I woke up tired, forgot, and realised a few hours later) It gets colder each day (I can’t wait until the middle of winter) It does feel good. After a run, I either jump in the pool or in the surf and it feels great. I understand Joel’s “embrace the suck” theory. You don’t bother whinging or complaining, you just do stuff. Try it, it will do you good.

  14. TheDrunkardsTalk says

    March 31, 2012 at 7:22 am

    I’ll be doing this too.

    If you need some more incentive, I read in tim ferris’ book that taking cold shower might promote the growth of brown adipose tissue, the fat burning fat, as opposed to the energy storing fat. That nut talks about taking ice baths, so I think I can handle this…

    Reply
  15. Todd says

    March 31, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Oh God, not sure why I’m agreeing to this, but what the hay…
    I’m trying to get my real estate investing business going, so my goal is getting first property under contract by end of Apr. I’ve been slacking lately so this will be a good push. (I’m cold just thinking about it!)

    Reply
  16. Josh Crocker says

    March 31, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Like Rob and Pete mentioned above, getting a good workout in before hand helps.

    I just finished a 6 mile training mud run with my tough mudder teammates through the woods and multiple swamps/puddles, topped off with, gulp, a frozen pond swim. It was cold, but our bodies bounced back quickly due to being warm already.

    I think cold water carves a tough groove into your brain.

    Reply
  17. Matt says

    March 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    I tried this this morning. After I got my heart started again and could breath I have to admit I feel much more energized and focused. Normally I take showers that drain the hot water heater and blister my back so this was definitely the “polar” opposite. I’m doing this for April and will finish a project I’ve been working on forever. As a bonus it should reduce my utility bill as well.

    Reply
  18. Asia says

    March 31, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Eff yea! I’m freaking out about tomorrow morning! April, here we come!

    Reply
  19. Rita says

    April 1, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    OMG! I did it! I DID IT! Day 1 and I did a full 5 minutes. Washed my hair, lost my breath, washed my face, lost my breath..almost past out…then washed my girl parts. OMG! I still haven’t quite started breathing properly, and my heart may not quite be beating yet, but I DID IT! And I have to admit..I feel a little bit like I could take over the world.

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    April 1, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    Oh Lord! I’m not looking forward to this….but I am going to commit to it. I’m just starting today, so I haven’t had a chance to work up to the 5 minutes. We’ll see how I do!

    What I’m going to do for the 30 days is spend some time EVERY DAY in my studio.

    Reply
  21. Emmet Buchanan says

    April 1, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    I will complete and send in my immigration paper work and make amends with my wife, and create a new future with her that inspires her and what she is out to have in her life, not what I want, and fulfill on my dreams too, with creating 4 sculptures to start my next series of work for a gallery show this summer!

    Reply
    • Emmet Buchanan says

      April 25, 2012 at 1:26 pm

      Well I lasted 11 days before skipping a day of even showering, just to avoid having a cold shower. I kept going thinking I could get away with it… and it just ate at me. It lacked integrity you could say, and there was an impact on me, who I am for myself and why I took on the cold shower. So on day 23… or however you wana call it, I started over at day 1 of 30! Whats at stake is knowing myself to honor my word, and that anything is possible for me! I’m still taking on my artwork, and I have started painting again! I’m a few steps away from starting my next series of sculptures, which I should be ready to complete next week!

      Reply
  22. Brian says

    April 1, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    I decided to give it a go and I just got out. For some reason I was smiling when the water hit me even though I wanted to yell… its a weird feeling.

    I started the timer on my phone to see how long it was and I thought I was only about 2-3 minutes in and it said 6:30!

    I was surprised and now I am addicted because I feel awesome.

    Everyday this month I am going to write a part of a new membership site I am working on.

    Reply
  23. Michelle says

    April 1, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    Last February I did the Polar Plunge (Wisconsin…air temp of 15 degrees) so this will be like 30 days of Polar Plunges!

    I commit to an hour walk everyday so I’ll finally start taking off that 25 pounds I’ve been whining about for the past year!!!

    Reply
  24. David says

    April 2, 2012 at 2:39 am

    Day 1! Check. Haven’t quite figured out what my goal is. Maybe it’s just the cold showers themselves. Maybe it’s to empower myself. Tell myself that I can do something for 30 days. This will take some serious will power, but I’m excited to embrace the fact that some things plain out suck. If I can face this, I will be very proud. 29 more days ahh!!!

    Reply
  25. Matt says

    April 2, 2012 at 6:29 am

    For quite a few months now I’ve been flicking my showers to maximum coldness after I’m done washing (hot water is much better at cleaning). When I started out, I sometimes wouldn’t shower because I was afraid (of water!) but now I can control my muscle reflexes and breathing so to an observer they wouldn’t know I was under an icy shower. What helped was reminding myself how, for example, people that are homeless can’t just turn off the cold and go get on with their life – but I can turn off the shower whenever I choose. We need to experience discomfort regularly to appreciate how good we have it.

    Reply
    • Sean says

      December 23, 2018 at 5:16 pm

      Excellent point with appreciating how well most people have it.

      Reply
  26. Andy says

    April 2, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    Very inspiring site Joel.

    I’m two for two with the icy, brain freezing showers.

    Loving it.

    Reply
  27. Jenna says

    April 2, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Reminds me of 5AM swim practices. You’re tired, you know the water is cold and you just don’t want to jump in. But you’ll know you’ll warm up, feel great the rest of the day and that you’ll get better. That is the point right? To get better.

    Do it.

    Reply
  28. Holly Lynn says

    April 3, 2012 at 4:58 am

    I need an impossible task! Once I have one, I’m definitely in for cold shower therapy.

    Reply
  29. Crystal says

    April 3, 2012 at 8:54 am

    I hate you. I truly do. Thank you for this post and kicking my butt into gear. I’m mad now, but when I’m in the best shape of my life (impossible goal) I’ll thank you for it.

    Reply
  30. Janet says

    April 3, 2012 at 9:20 am

    Interesting technique with the cold showers, considering this is how its done (with a bucket) in third world countries. Though to be fair, it’s a bit easier in the outdoor sun. But still suck. I take cold showers regularly. Never applied it to ‘impossible’ projects and git’r’done, though. I suppose I’ll add this new level of thinking to my cold showers now.

    Reply
  31. Katherine says

    April 4, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    I will: Run every morning, cold shower, and lose 7 pounds in 6 weeks!

    Reply
  32. Sergio Felix says

    April 5, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    I don’t know why are you guys counting seconds or minutes, either you take the bath or you don’t.

    I did mine on my latest post but it freaking SUCKED big time.

    I was productive as hell as well, heck, it’s only 3:50pm and I have done stuff that would normally take me days.

    Thanks Joel, looking forward to buy my shirt soon!

    Sergio

    Reply
  33. John @ Married (with Debt) says

    April 12, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    I’ve actually done this – it is torture. I was never able to do it more than a few days at a time. Might try again just to see if I can do it.

    Reply
  34. Rita says

    April 16, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    16 days in and holy moly! Okay one thing I noticed since I started, I was down 5+lbs last week and expect something in the same range this week. I think the whole theory about it kick starting the metabolism is true. It seems to be working for me. Not to mention, my hair is shinier, and my skin is softer. AND I just spoke at my first conference this past weekend and rocked it! AND shared the cold shower therapy secret too. Definitely am on to something here. Thanks Joel!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      April 17, 2012 at 4:42 pm

      AWESOME 🙂

      Reply
  35. michael vasko says

    April 19, 2012 at 3:31 am

    day 16: Ice baths 58 degree water with zip lock bags of ice on chest for 35min.
    Some results: The water actually feels warm for the first 20 min. No more shivering. Time to rewarm is now only about an hour. Much better skin, reducing pain from pinched nerves in each foot. Increased libido, welcome back 4am wood ( this is great at age 60), the most dramatic is an increase in the weight of my dead lifts, 25 lbs in one week, and increase of number of reps at that weight. 259 lbs 4 reps. Hey the ocean in NJ is 50 degrees, maybe time to change to a new bigger bath tub!

    Reply
  36. Alex R. says

    April 23, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    I’m late in the game here, but I just read this and absolutely loved the idea. I’m dedicating myself to the thirty day challenge. I wrote a blog about it this morning, citing you. Have a look, and thanks so much for the idea!

    Reply
  37. Nicholas Camp says

    April 24, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Hi! I tried the therapy yesterday, and I did it (just in the first time a tried)! I will try one week. Than, if I like, one month. I will be posting the result here! 🙂 Thanks.

    Reply
    • Rita says

      April 26, 2012 at 2:35 pm

      Hey Nicholas..I can guarantee you you aren’t likely to like it after only a week. I say commit to the 30 days and go for it. I am on day 26 and love it! So much so that I just recruited another friend simply by sharing about it. Do the 30 days. YOu’ll feel better for it. I love my morning cold showers now…and by love, i mean I scream and curse and whimper and then I rejoice.

      Reply
  38. Jo says

    April 25, 2012 at 4:38 am

    Hey,

    I’m all for this and want to start but have one (probably dumb) question.

    Once you get to 5 minutes, do you then just turn up the water to take your regular shower?

    Thanks
    Jo

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      April 25, 2012 at 11:56 am

      Do whatever you want. I usually try to finish my whole shower like that, then get out and go do something.

      Reply
  39. michael vasko says

    April 26, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Put 20 lbs ice in bath tub soaked 25 min.used thermometer water got to 50 degrees. Sat low enough to have water up to my neck. This is week 3 . It is great.

    Reply
    • Ish says

      June 7, 2012 at 7:25 pm

      Brilliant. 🙂

      Reply
  40. Rita says

    May 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    I think it’s safe to say this is quite possibly THE best thing I have ever taken on…thus far. Who knew that I’d look forward to the cold showers? Day 40 today for me..and I can’t imagine starting my day any other way. And it’s just as cold..it doesn’t get any warmer…it doesn’t get any easier..and damn do I feel good.

    Reply
  41. Leah says

    June 14, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    At the beginning of May I had my first cold shower, just to see what it was like. I’ve lost count of how many cold showers I’ve taken since then, but I can tell you how many warm showers I’ve taken since my first cold shower: Zero.

    My skin is softer and smoother, my eczema has cleared up, and I no longer have dry scalp. AND I start each day feeling brave and ready to take on the world. What’s not to love about that??

    Looking forward to the Challenge, the community and your emails!

    – Leah

    Reply
  42. Izzy says

    June 20, 2012 at 2:41 am

    I am going to take cold showers everyday for 30 days and develop a product on my site. I am not exactly sure what it will entail, but I am tired of thinking about it. I want to develop the product and see what happens.

    This is very inspiring.

    Reply
  43. Dave says

    July 15, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    Dudes and dudets, cold showers are the bomb…

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 18, 2012 at 12:56 pm

      This man speaks truth.

      Reply
  44. Jeremy says

    July 18, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    My fiance and just completed 30 days on our own. I wrote a bit about it on our blog. I’ll post the link for the sake of not rewriting the post here. http://welfarelovesection8.com/post/27405568364/cold-shower-therapy
    I will say it was really really great. We look forward to the next one and to attaching a project to the challenge too.
    Thanks Joel.

    Reply
  45. Elloa says

    August 4, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Stumbled upon Cold Shower Therapy via Zebra Sounds… and found myself laughing out loud at this article – brilliantly written and compelling.

    Will I do it? Hell yeah! Just what I need in my life right now, and your comments on business and health also slapped me round the face. WAKE UP WOMAN! You’ve got ONE LIFE! LIVE IT!!!

    So, off for my first cold shower… in a few minutes anyway, after I’ve had a face off with the shower head from hell.

    Loving your philosophy already and we’ve only just met!
    Elloa

    Reply
  46. Christopher says

    August 9, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    I love this, from now on for the next 30 days its a 5 minute beastly cold shower, with a blog post pronto! Thanks for the tip 🙂

    Reply
  47. Cate says

    August 15, 2012 at 12:08 am

    Hmmmmm – Icy cold shower every day you say??? Why does this appeal to me? I’m sure it will only last for about the first 10 seconds of actuality.

    I know a little about Tim Ferris’s cold showers/ice baths for weight loss so this would be helpful on more than one front.

    I also hate getting up in the mornings, but this would be one hell of a wake up call.

    I’m going to go jump in the shower now, because it’s hot and sweaty and I’m procrastinating right this minute…

    Reply
  48. Peter D. says

    September 7, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Well, the showers at my house don’t get very cold, and they’re all standing showers, so I can’t fill them with ice. However, I do live by the ocean, which I imagine is cold at 6 am no matter what season it is. So I’m going to start my 30 days of 6 am ocean baths. Lets see how it goes, shall we?

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      September 7, 2012 at 8:16 pm

      Love this idea :).

      Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
      • Peter D. says

        September 7, 2012 at 10:49 pm

        I don’t think I’ve ever been excited to wake up in the morning before. Well, anxious, really. Just that fact alone is enough to convince me. Hahaha.

        Reply
      • Peter D. says

        September 25, 2012 at 6:50 pm

        I ended up getting scared off from the ocean, then taking cold showers anyway (though not every day because I don’t shower daily haha). That said, I’d still jump in if I got up early enough, so that’s been more of a problem than the showers themselves! That said, I hit the 5k milestone for running last week, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

        Reply
        • Peter D. says

          September 25, 2012 at 6:50 pm

          Oh, and the shower water got noticeably colder as the outside temperatures dropped, so that’s a plus.

          Reply
  49. MileHighRob says

    September 7, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    I began easing into cold shower therapy over the week to ten days. I have not been able to completely turn off all of the hot water until today.

    While driving home from work this afternoon someone rear ended me as I watched from my rear view mirror. I recognized the other driver was distracted and not aware we were driving through a school zone and knew impact was inevitable.

    The force was so strong I was certain I would require towing away from the scene of the accident. Much to my surprise my car held up and suffered only minor injury. Only visible damage was two small tail lights which illuminate the license plate at nighttime.

    I jumped out of the car extremely angry with the distracted driver. Granted, this was the 4th accident I’ve been involved in over the past 2 years, none of which were my fault and all caused by distracted drivers.

    While writing down the other drivers’ personal and insurance info I was trembling. There was so much adrenaline rushing through me I couldn’t even think clearly.

    Once I got home I immediately jumped into the shower. Within 1 minute I was at full cold water on a 69° day in Colorado. Needless to say the water was ice cold.

    I cannot believe the results. Upon exiting the shower I felt the same accomplishment I felt years ago when I ran my first 5k without requiring any walking to recover.

    I suddenly realized the accident was a non issue. We all survived including his little dog whom he was reaching over to pet when he rammed into the back of my car.

    Yes, I did ache. Oddly some old injuries reappeared as soon as the adrenaline wore off.

    Once I did the CST those aches and pains were, once again, distant memories.

    Reply
  50. StARR says

    October 26, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I came across this website today and decided that I want to give it a try. The reason why is because I want to join the Marine Corps but I am not in the best shape. Some days I feel lazy and do not want to work out, and my grades have been dropping (I need a 3.0 GPA), but this has always been my dream so therefore tomorrow will be my first day with the cold shower therapy. Wish me luck, and if there is anyone out there going through something similar remember you can do anything if you believe in yourself because its all in your mind.

    Reply
  51. Hmmm says

    November 25, 2012 at 8:17 am

    Seriously, I hate you. Challenge accepted.

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      November 25, 2012 at 6:01 pm

      These are my favorite comments 🙂

      Reply
  52. Wouter says

    December 13, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Dear god my friend, I stumbled across your blog, TBH, I have no clue how I found it.

    But then I stumbled against cold showers.
    And then I readed it.

    Kinda got abit excited by your writing style.

    And then I was like. Screw that, I can do that stuff, that’s not impossible. What the hell is a cold shower?

    And then, hell erupted in my bathroom.
    That was THE-WORST-WAKE-UP-CALL ever.
    Day 1, check. 20 seconds.

    I’ll beat it, and I sincerely hate you for even daring people to do this.

    Keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      December 13, 2012 at 6:48 pm

      Haha, get after it :).

      Reply
  53. joshua says

    December 14, 2012 at 7:46 am

    ” If you’re crazy enough to do that, fear usually turns around and runs home pretty quickly when sees you’ve decided that you won’t lose.”

    Reply
  54. Lee says

    January 2, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    First day. 16 degrees outside, shower was close. bring it on! 6 minutes!

    Reply
  55. Sophia says

    January 6, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    I tried this. Had my first cold shower today but I’m not sure if I did it right – it didn’t bother me at all. I actually really enjoyed it and it was on the coldest setting.

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      January 6, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      Make it colder. Get some ice 🙂

      Reply
  56. Henry says

    January 9, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Alright Joel, you’ve convinced me. Cold shower, first thing tomorrow. And afterward, I’m gonna take care of two, scary big things I’ve been dragging my feet on for weeks.

    Done.

    Reply
  57. Leon says

    January 15, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    HAHAHA, I LOVE this post!

    Ugh, it’s 32 degrees right now in Dallas, but I’m doing this tomorrow!

    And I love how you explain what kind of cold showers too, the ones that make Penguins cry lol…

    I’ve been getting up at 5am (last 3 months 6) however even though I get up 3 hours earlier then I use too, I still haven’t gotten myself to the gym in the mornings (my goal).

    This may be the answer.

    Reply
    • Leon says

      January 19, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      I’ve done 3 days in a row so far, still lasting only about 30-40 secs, but the 3rd time, starting to really like it hahahah… it’s harsh, kinda feel a bit more manly afterwards.

      Going for a full minute tomorrow

      Reply
  58. Bronwynne says

    January 22, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    I’m probably going to hate myself and you for doing this but hey it’s worth a shot. Don’t have a shower so a cold bath is the next best thing, might even switch it up for an early morning swim once I get into the habit…did I mention that I really dislike the cold… I am up for the challenge!

    Reply
  59. Brion says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:11 am

    Hey Joel,

    I’ve been taking cold showers for a while now, but never an ice shower… I am excited to try this challenge during April 2013; the month of my 18th birthday. It’s actually on the 27th too, become a man in two ways haha. But I only have one question: do you wash your hair & body with warm water (open pores) then just sit under the ice cold water? I just thought about this… I feel as though warm showers get you cleaner but cold showers make your hair look better… So I’m confused on how to make this the most beneficial/not be dirtier & manlier during the challenge. So glad I happened to stumble upon the challenge!

    Thanks for your time,
    Brion

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      February 20, 2013 at 6:56 am

      Ideally: All cold. All the time.

      If you have to, soap up with hot water and then freeze out the rest of the way.

      Reply
  60. Thomas says

    February 27, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Haha! And they say the Dutch are crazy… Well, I guess this lazy ass Dutchman finally met his match! I’m in! See you in a month 🙂

    Reply
    • Thomas says

      February 28, 2013 at 7:14 am

      Ok, just had my first cold shower after killing myself in the woods with 20 of your 30 second dashes. One question though: do i get a day of rest after a workout day? Cause I don’t think I’m able to walk tomorrow… I’m thinking about doing a day of sprinting followed by a day of core excersizes, followed by a day of sprinting, followed by… Well, you get the idea. Do you think it’s a good plan, or just a lame excuse to sprint less?

      Reply
  61. Rob says

    February 28, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    I’ve done the hot shower and finish with coldmforma long time. Did my first all cold this morning after a 40 minute snowshoe. Did I mention I’m in Canada? Our cold water in February is really cold. Piped in from the arctic cold. Shower in a stall so no place to go to avoid the water – it’s all in or nothing. Made it to 4 minutes so hopefully tomorrow will be the official day 1. Only thing I noticed is soap doesn’t lather well in cold water but who needs lather. Maybe I’ll just scrub myself with a handful of sand.

    Reply
  62. Leon says

    March 1, 2013 at 9:59 am

    I took another cold shower this morning! I had been a wus this last week… taking a hot shower and ending up half a sleep on my tub floor lol…

    Then getting up and cheating by only doing a cold shower on my head at the end.

    Today BOOM 30 sec shower, fast as hell soap application, wash off… boom out the door. Life : Optimized.

    Reply
  63. Jeff says

    March 13, 2013 at 6:27 am

    I’m doing it. Five minute showers, ice cold. They suck. Every day they suck. They never stop sucking as much as the first time. Today was day 13, after two days of wuss-outs that don’t count. Almost half way to thirty cold 5-minute showers now. I’ve got goals that go along with the showers. As an actor fairly new to the craft, I intend to land a great gig. A jump-to-the-next-level kind of role. I had my first shot at such a part last Thursday, after cold shower number seven. Went to the audition and knocked it out of the park. Absolutely killed it. But will I fit their master plan? Or will they change their master plan to fit me? I know for a fact I did it the best I could’ve and I’m pretty damned sure it was the best they had seen so far, based on the looks on their faces when I was done. So now it’s beyond my control. Except in so far as I can keep taking my cold showers and keep going on other auditions as I wait for word that I got the part. It’ll be interesting to see how this level of commitment and fearlessness collides with those elements that are out of my direct control.

    Reply
    • Jeff says

      March 17, 2013 at 6:42 pm

      18th cold shower today. went ELEVEN minutes, just to remind myself there’s no quitting in me. I feel fantastic.

      Reply
      • Jeff says

        April 2, 2013 at 3:20 am

        34 cold showers in 30 days, then took a hot one. Didn’t feel right, and gave me bad hair. Back to the cold ones. Besides, the gears are turning. Good things happening.

        Reply
        • Rita says

          April 5, 2013 at 12:49 pm

          JefF! YOU ARE AWESOME! And I get to say so. Cause I’ve done 365+ days of cold showers and LOVE ’em! Hot showers are a thing of the past. WAY TO GO!

          Reply
  64. Lizzie says

    March 15, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    Now this might sound stupid, but do you seriously shower for 5minutes? I mean, whatever temperature it is – you get in there, get water over yourself, then soap, then rinse. Why….

    Reply
  65. Rob says

    March 17, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Got ten days in then stopped due to a nasty respiratory infection although maybe it would have helped to keep going but felt miserable enough already. Starting again tomorrow.

    Just wondering about how cold cold showers actually are as I imagine there would be differences in cold water temperture from region to region. My instant read thermometer says the cold water coming out of my shower head is 41F. Just wondering how that compares to others?

    Reply
  66. Christoph Dollis says

    April 4, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I’m in.

    But.

    I’m aiming for a long-term practice.

    I will allow myself two exceptions a month plus one exception a week, after I complete my interval sprints and strength-training workouts respectively.

    Reply
  67. Christoph Dollis says

    April 5, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Quit.

    Reply
    • Rita says

      April 5, 2013 at 12:50 pm

      Really? Just like that?

      Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      April 5, 2013 at 11:58 pm

      Already?

      Reply
  68. Roisin says

    April 10, 2013 at 7:49 am

    I did my first full 5 min on full cold today! The last two days have been on and off and adding bits of warm water. What helped was washing my hair. My head hurt so much that just having the cold water on the rest of my body afterwards wasn’t so bad. And shouting ‘It’s not f***ing cold, it’s f***ing warm, it’s f***ing warm, light work, light work’, and doing a kind of marching dance at the same time. You clearly need to be crazy to do this!

    Reply
  69. Alexander Kinnunen says

    April 11, 2013 at 4:47 am

    In my opinion and personal experience, the secret to enjoying cold showers (and in many ways life as a whole, as well) is to simply relax and let in the pain.

    Once you accept the pain it becomes exponentially less powerful – just like fear.

    Cold showers can be a great tool in any kind of self-discovery and I am so glad, Joel, that you recommend it so dearly!

    Even though it doesn’t seem like a big deal at first glance, I am sure that a blog post like this has changed a lot of lives for the better.

    In short: keep up the good work!

    Alex

    Reply
  70. Rebecca Tracey says

    April 26, 2013 at 5:21 pm

    I’ve been reading these posts for a while and kept ignoring them (ha). Then I up and moved to the Dominican and i ONLY have cold water in my house. So there you have it – the universe clearly wants me to do this.

    Reply
  71. Bill says

    May 25, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    YIKES! Took my first cold shower. It is as brutal as everyone posted. What made it a bit easier was to stand there and let the water hit your feet. Put some water in your hands and start to rub it all over yourself. Keep repeating. Then, while facing the shower, bend in a little and let it hit your head. Then get in. Now the 5 minutes starts! It sucks REALLY bad but once you’re done, you DO feel like you can do anything.

    Reply
  72. Amy says

    July 13, 2013 at 6:31 am

    I met Rita at WDS and she convinced me I had to try this. Day 1 done! Though part of me thinks my shower doesn’t get quite cold enough, as it was uncomfortable and made my back feel numb but wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. And I’m kind of wimpy when it comes to cold. But I went in head first like you showed! On with the rest of my day…

    Reply
  73. Gene Foster says

    July 16, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    I take a shower and then a cold shower at night every day and it does not suck that much after working all day the heat I going to start taking a cooolllldddd shower in the morning… after milking

    Reply
  74. Rita says

    August 14, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Officially…as of today…501 days of cold shower therapy under my belt.

    BOOM! (I’ve earned it!)

    Reply
  75. khan says

    September 2, 2013 at 6:18 am

    It definitely helps man.

    When its winter and i do it. I feel so great. The feeling of doing it is just great(after). Those quick breaths you take due to cold water are just awesome. However someone told me that one might get a stroke. But i dont think its true.

    thanks

    Reply
  76. Ninja says

    November 26, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Day one, 3 cold showers, 1st one a wimped out, second one I did the five minutes, third time, which I just finished, 12 minutes! Man! I feel amazing!

    Reply
  77. Dave K says

    January 14, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    Have been taking cold showers every single day since March 2013. Sometimes 2 times a day. Besides Joel’s call to action about cold shower therapy, also read the same thing in book called “100s of ways to live to be 100”. I am 54, chronologically. Unless I find out that there is a negative to doing this every single day, I will continue. I hate it every time I stand before a cold shower. Takes me 10 to 15 seconds to dive in, with a yell. After 1 to 2 minutes I exercise right there in the shower, free-hand or with a hand grip. Come out feeling very strong. So, about 300 days of cold showers and going strong. Woo hoo!

    Reply
  78. Tessa says

    January 20, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    I stumbled on an article about cold showers (I think Art of Manliness) a year ago or so, and’ve tried it off and on since. It is pretty exhilarating and it does make me feel like I’m conquering my fear in a small way. There are times when I do it for fun and times when I force myself to do it despite all my deepest wishes (which I suppose is when I need to most).
    I have a few questions for the ladies who have participated in the challenge. I always do a few minutes at the end of a warm shower and I’m interested to try full-on cold showers. My concerns are shaving and washing my face. I believe warm water softens the hair follicle and opens up your pores, making showering the best time to shave your legs/pits and wash your face (as long as you wash after conditioning your hair). So, will I get razor bumps from shaving in cold water? Or did you guys start shaving outside of the shower? It wouldn’t be a big deal to start washing my face outside of the shower, but I’m worried it won’t get as clean. Let me know your thoughts!

    Reply
  79. Salem says

    January 24, 2014 at 1:45 am

    Man oh man oh man.

    So I’m on day 3 of the cold shower challenge. I even successfully stayed in for the whole five minutes the 2 times but Jesus Christ that s*** is crazy. After that first shower though, I felt like I could take on an entire herd of buffalo with my bare hands, screaming, wet and naked.

    I see it clearly. Everything that these showers can do for anyone and everyone. I’ve talked about it to everyone at my job and they KNOW I’m crazy. But that’s fine.

    To any doubters, just do it. Seriously. You will hate your life for the first three minutes but screw that. Do it. I have been staring at the bathroom for 4 hours today, finding anything and everything to do before I get in there…I still have three hours before I head to work (night job) but I’m gonna get in there. I’m gonna whimper like a child, but I’m gonna get in there.

    You know what…f*** it. I’m getting in there. Right now.

    (after I stare at the shower head for ten more minutes)

    Reply
  80. Daniel Tyler says

    January 31, 2014 at 9:25 am

    I’m very late to this party. Just got linked to this article and am going to start this in the morning. I’m going to quit smoking. I’ve tried and tried. Smoking not only gets in the way of work, but it gets in the way of saving money.

    Reply
  81. Naazim says

    December 9, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    Hi
    Joel i h ave been taking cold showers for about 6 months now and I have seen a massive increase in productivity. However it is now winter in the UK and the water is extremely cold. I dont mind that at all but when the water goes on my head my whole scalp would go really numb. At that point I got a little worried as this has never happened before.

    I am just curious has this ever happened to you?

    thanks

    Reply
  82. Lauren says

    April 10, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    I’m on day 2 and the cold shower is amazing. My challenge is to go on a run every morning! I’m so glad that I came across this article. It has really jumpstarted me into this new rhythm that I’m creating for myself!

    Reply
  83. esraa shaker says

    October 3, 2015 at 1:57 am

    i did it my first day it was 7 mins i’d like suggest while you are under cold water you can do some exercise move walk in your place to forget your coldness improve your circulation act like fighter :)))

    Reply
  84. BuffyD says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    I did it for the environmental concerns – and now I quite like it! http://www.calgary.isgreen.ca inspired me – and you helped – to love the impossible!

    Reply
  85. charlie says

    April 23, 2016 at 9:27 am

    I think I’ll be in…

    Reply
  86. Taylor Hayes says

    June 3, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    I had my first cold shower today. I went for a whopping 7 minutes and I thought I was going insane. I felt like I was going to freeze to death, I never would have taken such a cold shower – even after a hot and humid day. I had no clue that the shower could be so cold! I got to the point where I was screaming “cold” and then I broke the barrier and embraced the chill – I felt like I was going insane! But in the end I felt super aware and like I had accomplished something great; it’s motivated me throughout the entire day! I will definitely keep doing this, thank you.

    Reply
  87. Kris says

    November 14, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    Wow, sounds pretty crazy! Wish I found this over the summer, when a cold shower is actually a good thing. Cold showers in the late fall in New England don’t sound appealing. But I get the idea. Hope I can get up the courage to try it!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      November 14, 2016 at 9:35 pm

      Do it anyways.

      Reply
  88. Jim says

    February 17, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    Into the 3rd week. I can’t say it any easier other th uan I know what to expect. I will do it for five minutes but i do not get used to the cold like others say. As I need to rotate my body to get it all under the water it is like a continuous shock as it goes from freezing to not freezing and back to freezing again. If I let the water hit one spot the cold goes “away”.

    I am thinking a total immersion in an ice bath would be easier and have better benefits.

    Thoughts?

    Reply
  89. Shawn Marsh says

    December 11, 2017 at 1:04 am

    Humming for my third cold shower! What a surge it is the point at which you battle to breath under the cold water! I say to every one of the fellows out there, GO HAVE A TRY FOR IT!

    Reply
  90. Dax says

    January 5, 2018 at 5:35 am

    I take the coldest possible shower every day, summer or winter and it is something normal to me. However, I do this every evening before I go to sleep as I am always in a hurry in the morning. My regular baths I also do with the cold water, I wash my hair with cold water too. I never use warm or hot water for anything else but for coffee, tea and cooking. After the cold shower I sleep like a baby and I don’t need more than 6-7 hours, although I work very hard and exercise a lot (2-3 hour every day except Sunday). I can also swim in freezing water without problems. I didn’t do that in January or February but I was swimming in a very cold sea water in April for example. People on the beach were in sweaters and jackets… I believe cold showers do amazing thing for us especially in our mind. Sometimes I am exhausted after hectic day, nervous and even angry, but after cold shower, honestly, I feel 20 years younger, strong but relaxed and happy!

    Reply
  91. Raj says

    January 12, 2018 at 4:26 am

    You are crazy Joel! I have been reading your blog for a while and yesterday was the day…..

    Got home from work and took my first cold shower.. wow that first minute, the shock, then the breathing eases and at five minutes it was almost fun..1 done, 29 to go. Legend.

    Reply
  92. Craig Lambie says

    January 30, 2019 at 4:33 am

    I am doing the Whim Hoff Method, and in week 4 the CST gets up to 10 Minutes, as per your post here.
    I rarely shower over 4 minutes, even hot….. so what do I do for the rest of the time?
    Just standing there, watching all that water disappear doesn’t seem like a good use of the water or my time?
    Thoughts?

    Reply

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  11. Six Pack Abs ≠ Impossible | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    July 23, 2012 at 11:02 am

    […] first putting it on my list. To make sure I was committed, I kickstarted it with my own edition of cold shower therapy, got a killer fitness coach and focused on this goal solely for the next 8 […]

    Reply
  12. Cold shower therapy: Day 10 | All Fives says:
    July 24, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    […] It triggered my memory of The Flinch and I was intrigued. So I searched Joel’s blog and found this post that explains the whole thing.  He calls it “therapy” because he’s talking about 28 days of […]

    Reply
  13. What I Learned from a Shower Curtain | kendrakinnison.com says:
    August 2, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    […] One of my friends advocates taking cold showers for a month. […]

    Reply
  14. Your Morning Routine For More Energy And Productivity | Vic Magary says:
    September 21, 2012 at 8:15 am

    […] My alarm is set for 7:00am. This is more of a “back up” alarm as I usually wake up naturally around 6:30am. The alarm is on my phone (set on air plane mode before going to sleep) which is plugged into my stereo in my living room. If the alarm does go off, it plays music that makes me feel energetic and excited.  While the music is playing (I keep a remote control to the stereo to turn on music in the event I wake up without the alarm) it’s time for the “key” to my morning ritual – cold shower therapy. […]

    Reply
  15. 77 Specific Daily Habits That Can Change Your Life | A Boundless World says:
    November 9, 2012 at 11:34 am

    […] Put on your running shoes at 5PM every day. Stretch for 5 minutes in the morning. Take a cold shower. Go for a 15 minute walk Go for a 15 minute run Do 50 jumping Jacks Do 50 pushups everyday […]

    Reply
  16. Blackmail Yourself: How To Set & Accomplish Goals More Effectively | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    December 27, 2012 at 6:00 am

    […] call this strategy blackmailing yourself and I’ve used it extensively along with cold shower therapy when I need a kick in the butt and the extra push to get something done. Here’s how it […]

    Reply
  17. Stop Asking The Wrong Question | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    January 8, 2013 at 10:30 am

    […] you decide to do cold shower therapy and keep asking about what the definition of “cold” is, you’re completely missing […]

    Reply
  18. 31 Easy Tips to Sporting Excellence: #6 Take a Cold Shower « The Holistic Triathlete says:
    January 11, 2013 at 11:36 am

    […] a good account and rallying call for cold showers, from Joel Runyon at the Blog of Impossible […]

    Reply
  19. 3….2…..1….Cold Shower Therapy! | Efficient Fitness says:
    January 24, 2013 at 12:03 am

    […] on day 2 of this thing.  I’m not gona lie, I was quite apprehensive yesterday about diving into the arctic-like […]

    Reply
  20. Living in an igloo on wheels | Life:Awesome says:
    February 1, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    […] At night we have the heat set at 55 or 57F.  Andrei has an electric blanket and Brent and I share one, plus we all have multiple fluffy quilts keeping us cozy.  Brent and I have our bedroom door shut and there is only one tiny vent going to our room so it gets pretty chilly in there.  There is literally frost in the corners of the room.  This morning, one of my pillows was frozen to the wall.   But with the million blankets and dehumidifier, it is tolerable.  Sometimes our noses get a little chilled, but that’s it.  Getting up, however, is a different story.  If one of us gets up to use the bathroom before the alarm goes off, it’s their job to turn up the house heat (66-68ish).  Otherwise it’s usually my job.  My alarm goes off at 6AM but it might take me up to an hour to have the guts to climb out of bed and make the mad dash out of the room.  We call our version of ‘Cold Shower Therapy‘. […]

    Reply
  21. Cold Showers. Buying Tickets. Going Live. : Simply Unbound says:
    February 10, 2013 at 11:18 am

    […] it as an opportunity to mentally prepare myself for the next day. I stumbled upon a blog post about cold shower therapy, and I decided that tomorrow, I’d put my nerves to the test: cold shower in the morning, […]

    Reply
  22. "All-In" 31 Pounds In 8 Weeks – Toyah's Story | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    February 19, 2013 at 11:30 am

    […] you’re having trouble kickstarting a new habit or getting out of a rut, give Cold Shower Therapy a trial run. 30 days of cold showers and you can do […]

    Reply
  23. This is going to suck. This is going to suck. This is going to suck. | James Candan says:
    February 22, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    […] That’s what just went through my mind as I read through Joel Runyon’s Shower Therapy. In just the last day or so, I’ve been contemplating re-tackling DesignEscape.net — a […]

    Reply
  24. 50 Ways To Be AWESOME says:
    February 23, 2013 at 7:35 am

    […] Take a cold shower after you workout: You will hate it (and me) for the first 5 seconds… and then you will feel incredible! […]

    Reply
  25. 141 Ways To Build More Endurance Starting Today | Endurance Leader says:
    February 25, 2013 at 8:02 am

    […] Take a Cold Shower […]

    Reply
  26. 7 Habits of Highly Effective Quitters | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    March 7, 2013 at 6:00 am

    […] Or…you could suck it up, decide that what you want is worthwhile, realize your excuses suck and that it’s not all about you, decide to do the hard stuff anyways, put your head down, persevere and go for it….but that sounds way too hard. […]

    Reply
  27. GMI Biomed Insights » 50 Ways To Be AWESOME says:
    March 7, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    […] Take a cold shower after you workout: You will hate it (and me) for the first 5 seconds… and then you will feel incredible! […]

    Reply
  28. 5 Things I Learned From Cold Shower Therapy | Searching For Truth says:
    March 20, 2013 at 11:58 am

    […] I fought Joel Runyon a lot over this. He is the one that introduced me, and got me hooked on CST.  I told Joel 100 different times, 100 different ways, why I didn’t need to take cold showers. I explained how I already have accountability set up in my life. I explained how I already am disciplined. I explained to him how CST is not going to help my life. I explained to him why it just might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.  […]

    Reply
  29. The Skills of Alex Mason » Be a Game Character says:
    March 21, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    […] through hardships is something that gets better with practice.  It can be something like Cold Shower Therapy, exercise, or even something as simple as working your way off a bad habit.  Every time you have […]

    Reply
  30. Cold Showers, Discipline and Some Other Really Awesome Stuff | Life Rising says:
    April 2, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    […] 30th of last year, (2012), Joel Runyon wrote a post called Cold Shower Therapy, over at the Blog of Impossible Things. I have been an avid BIT reader for quite some time, so of […]

    Reply
  31. The Domino Effect | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    April 3, 2013 at 3:30 am

    […] I’m not going to tell you to stay comfortable & make the easy choice. […]

    Reply
  32. 5 Things I Learned From Cold Shower Therapy - Truth Work says:
    April 3, 2013 at 11:44 am

    […] I fought Joel Runyon a lot over this. He is the one that introduced me, and got me hooked on CST.  I told Joel 100 different times, 100 different ways, why I didn’t need to take cold showers. I explained how I already have accountability set up in my life. I explained how I already am disciplined. I explained to him how CST is not going to help my life. I explained to him why it just might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard of.  […]

    Reply
  33. Hurdling Cold Shower Therapy says:
    April 7, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    […] the promoting of Joel Runyon, I started my very own voyage of Cold Shower Therapy. If you aren’t familiar with this concept, check out Joel’s blog post by clicking the […]

    Reply
  34. 36 ONLINE GURUS REVEAL THEIR FEARS AND HOW THEY OVERCOME THEM says:
    April 17, 2013 at 7:34 am

    […] 2. Take a deep breath. Jump in and figure it out on the way. It’s harder to be scared when you’re moving forward. Also, cold showers. […]

    Reply
  35. My TEDxLUC Cold Shower Therapy Talk | Impossible HQ says:
    May 17, 2013 at 5:52 am

    […] things going on and wasn’t quite sure if I could pull it off in time. But, sure enough, I was taking a cold shower one day – and I suddenly knew exactly what I had to talk […]

    Reply
  36. I am *not* a wussy-pants! | Life:Awesome says:
    May 19, 2013 at 7:47 am

    […] the Cold Shower Challenge.  Oh yeah!  Here’s the […]

    Reply
  37. 5 Challenges When Returning to the Homeland [Portland --> Philippines] says:
    May 20, 2013 at 12:31 am

    […] Runyon, who runs the popular Impossible HQ, thought it would be weird and crazy to take cold showers for a month just because he […]

    Reply
  38. Why self-discipline, not motivation, is the ultimate life skill | My Epic Life says:
    June 1, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    […] but even more effective physical challenge you can try is Cold Shower Therapy. Read about it here, and in the book The Flinch. I’ve only tried it a few times, because I’m a wuss, but holy shit […]

    Reply
  39. El desafío de la ducha fría | TECNOlogías del YO says:
    June 3, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    […] suelen ser buenos días para acometer nuevos retos. Ayer, en mi revisión semanal inspirado por Imposible HQ, decidí que me vendría bien un […]

    Reply
  40. 7 Reasons to Take Cold Showers and 1 That Really Matters – The Hacked Mind says:
    June 17, 2013 at 10:16 am

    […] first experience with cold showers was excited but short lived. Joel Runyon had a blog post and YouTube video discussing cold showers and how to begin. I was pumped and I gave it a try. I […]

    Reply
  41. Cold Shower Therapy (Brrr!) - Diary of the Benefits of Cold ShowersArchitecting Life says:
    June 26, 2013 at 1:47 am

    […] when I heard about Joel Runyon’s, “Cold Shower Therapy” I realized that Cold Shower Therapy is a more accessible form of what those crazy cool Polar […]

    Reply
  42. Joe Elvin | Five fantastic psychology blogs says:
    August 16, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    […] Favourite post: Cold Shower Therapy […]

    Reply
  43. Joe Elvin says:
    August 16, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    […] Favourite post: Cold Shower Therapy […]

    Reply
  44. How To Get Motivated To Workout | IMPOSSIBLE says:
    October 18, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    […] If you think working out is “too hard”, start taking a cold shower every day. […]

    Reply
  45. Moderation Is Overrated | IMPOSSIBLE says:
    October 18, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    […] happens whenever you run a ultra, take cold showers or lose a bunch of weight. Your physical change is one small aspect of the mental & emotional […]

    Reply
  46. A Crash Course Intro To Impossible HQ | IMPOSSIBLE says:
    October 18, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    […] a small group of us that like to take cold showers (but for a much different reason than you’re probably thinking of). We also say #boom a lot. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to […]

    Reply
  47. Stuck in a Rut says:
    October 29, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    […] workout COLD SHOWER THERAPY. Every day for 30 days (at […]

    Reply
  48. Een koude douche | Hardlopen op blote voeten says:
    November 16, 2013 at 5:00 am

    […] verdiepen leidde naar de site van Joel Runyun die een paar jaar geleden bedacht dat het nemen van koude douches een metafoor kan zijn voor het […]

    Reply
  49. I’m The Bada** Who’s Been Taking Cold Showers for 600 Days | Life Rising says:
    November 22, 2013 at 10:57 am

    […] Today is also Day #600 for me and Cold Shower Therapy. […]

    Reply
  50. How to Get Unstuck and Launch a Business in a Month | Bootstrapped - How 75 Entrepreneurs Successfully Bootstrapped Their Startups says:
    November 27, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    […] I also like Joel Runyon’s philosophy of his cold water strategy.  […]

    Reply
  51. How To Use The Holidays To Your Advantage | Sense Your Energy says:
    December 18, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    […] or eating healthier (something that doesn’t normally happen over the holidays), or even that “Cold Showers” thing I tweeted about a while ago. Honestly I would try that if it wasn’t already cold enough […]

    Reply
  52. Cold Shower Therapy | Blog of Impossible Things | diogenisonsales says:
    January 6, 2014 at 3:40 am

    […] Cold Shower Therapy | Blog of Impossible Things. […]

    Reply
  53. If Life Seems Hard – It's Time To Get Stronger | IMPOSSIBLE says:
    January 14, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    […] took a cold shower less […]

    Reply
  54. Day One: 30 day Cold Shower Challenge | The Positivity Project says:
    February 9, 2014 at 1:59 am

    […] what took place: as per Joel’s instructions, I turned the water in my shower all the way down to freezing, and I started my timer. Five […]

    Reply
  55. Forcing A Change On Myself | Stealing Shade says:
    February 16, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    […] up after reading The Positivity Project‘s re-caps, which also sent me to Impossible HQ, I was ready to throw aside my aversion to the cold, especially cold showers (my showers are […]

    Reply
  56. How 5 Cold Showers Can Change Your Mindset | Triple Quotes says:
    February 24, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    […] week, I started the Cold Shower Therapy (#CST) challenge.  When you accept the #CST challenge, you agree to spend the next 30 showers without hot water.  […]

    Reply
  57. Good Habit: Cold Shower Therapy says:
    March 17, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    […] introduced me to cold shower therapy just yesterday, but immediately I knew it was a worthwhile idea. Cold showers carry many health […]

    Reply
  58. Day One: 30 day Cold Shower Challenge Creative Life Blog says:
    March 29, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    […] what took place: as per Joel’s instructions, I turned the water in my shower all the way down to freezing, and I started my timer. Five […]

    Reply
  59. Build Will Power in Just Five Minutes a Day — Towards Dhyana says:
    May 6, 2014 at 12:14 am

    […] do you get when you lump all three of those in together with something called Cold Water Therapy?  A suddenly effective person, it turns […]

    Reply
  60. Be Better Than A Lab Rat / IMPOSSIBLE says:
    May 15, 2014 at 10:03 am

    […] think motivation is crap. Discipline is where it’s at. You should do things you hate, become comfortable with the uncomfortable through doing things like taking cold showers & pushing your body physically to the […]

    Reply
  61. Impossible FM #002: Cold Shower Therapy with Nick Reese / IMPOSSIBLE says:
    May 19, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    […] Cold Shower Therapy […]

    Reply
  62. Fearlessness in creativity is a myth | PixelShaping says:
    June 21, 2014 at 6:23 am

    […] Cold shower therapy […]

    Reply
  63. Introducing Cold Shower Therapy: The Challenge / IMPOSSIBLE says:
    July 21, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    […] (If you don’t know what cold shower therapy is, you can read up on it here). […]

    Reply
  64. 10 Resources For Living Your Best Life Ever - Healthy Crush says:
    August 15, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    […] a good start. If you REALLY want to get out of your comfort zone and test your limits, try taking cold showers. My sister recently finished a 30-day cold shower challenge and she said it helped her feel more […]

    Reply
  65. Step Out of your Comfort Zone with Cold Shower Therapy says:
    September 2, 2014 at 10:10 am

    […] It’s the start of a new month & I am ohhh so ready for fall season to begin! For me, a new month means setting new goals & working towards them. I’ve made a lot of changes this past year and have really tried to step out of my comfort zone as much as possible (for an introvert that’s not the easiest thing to do). One of the strategies I’ve used to push myself is Cold Shower Therapy. […]

    Reply
  66. In Search of Discomfort — Kendra Kinnison's HabitChef.com says:
    September 9, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    […] you’re scared of the dentist or the doctor, take cold showers. If you have trouble with conversations or feedback, try boxing or martial arts. If you have […]

    Reply
  67. Why I take Cold Showers | Hello, Flecks! says:
    September 29, 2014 at 5:38 am

    […] I ended up coming across a man named Joel Runyon. Joel has a business centered around doing the impossible, and he even has a whole system built around taking cold showers, check it out here. […]

    Reply
  68. The difference between motivation and discipline: how to avoid being tripped up by milestones | The Human Adventure says:
    October 10, 2014 at 9:38 am

    […] from using them to rationalise negative behaviours. But the best way to avoid tripping up is to train and maintain your self-discipline, and consciously call upon it when you feel your motivation beginning to […]

    Reply
  69. CST Challenge - The Original Cold Shower Therapy Challenge - Top App for iPhone, IPad - IOS App Store says:
    October 29, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    […] iPadThirdGen4G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod Touch, Main Menu Develop By Visit Site Impossible Ventures […]

    Reply
  70. CST Challenge - The Original Cold Shower Therapy Challenge - Top App for iPhone, IPad - IOS App Store says:
    October 29, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    […] iPadThirdGen4G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPod Touch, Main Menu Develop By Visit Site Impossible Ventures […]

    Reply
  71. HHP 013: Conquer Your Fears! Angel's Landing Hike | hikehealthy.com says:
    November 6, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    […] Here’s a link to “Cold Shower Therapy”  […]

    Reply
  72. How 5 Cold Showers Can Change Your Mindset | Travel. Learn. Live. says:
    November 7, 2014 at 9:48 am

    […] week, I started the Cold Shower Therapy (#CST) challenge.  When you accept the #CST challenge, you agree to spend the next 30 showers without hot water.  […]

    Reply
  73. 40 Amazing Personal Development Bloggers to Watch In 2015 (plus my number 1 blog of the year) says:
    January 5, 2015 at 6:13 am

    […] articles – Cold shower therapy – How bad do you want it? – An unexpected ass […]

    Reply
  74. Challenge accepted! | Asli Style says:
    January 11, 2015 at 5:49 am

    […] is waiting for us.  Life is a good journey to whom wants to learn what it really means. Cold shower therapy was only 30 days but I am going to continue it until I feel comfortable. If I start to feel […]

    Reply
  75. How the "30-Day Cold Shower Challenge" Changed My Life says:
    February 22, 2015 at 2:47 am

    […] of my 30-Day Cold Shower Challenge. I got the idea from Joel Runyon over at IMPOSSIBLE. He calls it Cold Shower Therapy, and it goes something like […]

    Reply
  76. 30 Days of Discipline - Hacking Harris says:
    March 30, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    […] 3. Take a cold shower […]

    Reply
  77. Day 1 - Hacking Harris says:
    March 31, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    […] I took a 5 minute cold shower. (I have been taking cold showers daily for 2 weeks now so it’s not too much of a problem at this point. If you are interested in implementing cold showers as a tool for personal growth in your life, check out this article on ImpossibleHQ.) […]

    Reply
  78. How Cold Shower Therapy could change your life - The Fuss says:
    April 30, 2015 at 6:17 am

    […] it is actually a self-made ‘litmus test’ created by the people at Impossible HQ, designed to push you to your limits, help you become comfortable with the uncomfortable, and […]

    Reply
  79. Like a Shock to the System - A Cold One! - Nate Bowser says:
    December 17, 2016 at 3:02 am

    […] a blog that I follow.  At ImpossibleHQ, there was a post written about starting your day with an ice cold shower.  Joel Runyon identifies many health benefits associated with this approach, and I recommend that […]

    Reply
  80. Cold Shower Therapyaversary – 5 Years Strong – Life Rising says:
    March 28, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    […] Scratch that. I did something I never thought I would do. I got myself uncomfortable. I took on the original cold shower therapy challenge and have never looked back. Half way through the first challenge, I knew I was onto something. […]

    Reply
  81. Write From The Scar, Not The Wound - Healthy Crush says:
    September 30, 2017 at 1:37 am

    […] Joel. And ironically, the reason he is even in my life at all is because of this blog post.  So he doesn’t usually let me get away with excuses very easily. Especially when he knows […]

    Reply
  82. Some Blabbing About Cold Shower Therapy says:
    October 4, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    […] is to help you achieve goals and take on things you find challenging or impossible to complete. The challenge is to take an ice cold shower every day for 30 days. The idea is that you are embracing being uncomfortable, feeling the fear and pushing through. At […]

    Reply
  83. Morning Routines and SuccessFinancial Globe says:
    December 20, 2017 at 8:24 am

    […] by Joel Runyon’s TEDx talk and writings on cold showers in his inspired and inspiring ImpossibleHQ blog, I coined sidcha during 30 days of cold showers, […]

    Reply
  84. I Stopped Using Shampoo, and No One Can Tell the Difference says:
    February 2, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    […] for at least half of the shower, if not all) may be a requirement for making this work. Thankfully, taking cold showers feels amazing, and is really good for […]

    Reply
  85. Cold Showers Aren't Hard Showers. They're Easy Workouts. | ViewTuber says:
    April 22, 2018 at 10:54 pm

    […] taken hundreds of cold showers (credit to Joel Runyon for starting my habit), I’ve found that they […]

    Reply
  86. Cold Showers Aren't Hard Showers. They're Easy Workouts. by Inc.com - Serebral 360º says:
    April 22, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    […] taken hundreds of cold showers (credit to Joel Runyon for starting my habit), I’ve found that they […]

    Reply
  87. How Cold Showers Help You Overcome Fear says:
    May 14, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    […] Runyon, of The Impossible Blog, tells people to take a five minute cold shower every day for 30 days. Now I’m telling you to do it […]

    Reply
  88. 7 Reasons to Take Cold Showers and 1 That Really Matters – thehackedmind.com says:
    January 21, 2019 at 2:42 pm

    […] first experience with cold showers was excited but short lived. Joel Runyon had a blog post and YouTube video discussing cold showers and how to begin. I was pumped and I gave it a try. I […]

    Reply
  89. My Cur ➤ IMPOSSIBLE ® says:
    February 28, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    […] => All about Cold Showers […]

    Reply
  90. Hard Mode ➤ IMPOSSIBLE ® says:
    June 4, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    […] Cold Showers + Ice Baths every day (okay maybe this isn’t that far out of the norm anymore). […]

    Reply
  91. Joel from Impossible HQ’s Cold Shower Therapy CHALLENGE (DAY 1) – The Contemporary Renaissance says:
    August 29, 2019 at 3:41 pm

    […] I’m doing cold showers for 28 days. I just signed up for Joel Runyon‘s email list and immediately got pushed into doing it so here goes […]

    Reply
  92. Manufacturing Your Own Momentum | IMPOSSIBLE ® says:
    October 9, 2019 at 5:49 pm

    […] the first thing you do is take a cold shower and knock out 100 pushups, it’s easier to take that initiative to everything […]

    Reply
  93. Fear Based Prioritization | IMPOSSIBLE ® says:
    November 6, 2020 at 8:00 pm

    […] lot of people talk about eating the frog – it’s like cold showers (aka do the hardest thing first). This is that concept up-leveled. You can call it eating the […]

    Reply
  94. User Stories: Interview with Joel Runyon | Flow Blog says:
    February 16, 2021 at 7:31 am

    […] I pick two? I would say cold showers and workout every day. Cold showers help wake me up, focus and get me uncomfortable every day. […]

    Reply
  95. My SEO Journey with Joel Runyon from IMPOSSIBLE - Episode #20 says:
    June 27, 2021 at 11:47 pm

    […] example – “cold shower therapy” wasn’t even a term until we created the concept – there were things like […]

    Reply
  96. The Art of the Side Hustle with Nick Loper - WorkMojo says:
    September 29, 2021 at 1:05 am

    […] Cold Shower Therapy™ | Joel Runyon […]

    Reply

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