The Original Fear & Cold Therapy
Oct 3, 2023
The Original Fear
Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt encompassed by an environment so unfamiliar that it put you firmly out of your depth?
The feeling can be likened to our first experiences of the reality we find ourselves in as we come out of the safe and warm womb into the vast, spacious and bright world around us.
Thrust out into a cold and unfamiliar world.
This feeling is known as the "original fear", and it is something that we all experience the moment we take our first breath.
Unfamiliar Environments: a Week-Long Buddhist Retreat
During a week-long mindfulness retreat at a Buddhist monastery, I was reminded of this original fear and how it can be evoked through cold therapy.
The difference between my typical day-to-day environment, the retreat, and everything that came with it to be absorbed was vast.
This unique experience and unfamiliar environment connected me and sewed the seed of the original fear.
Cold exposure, like ice baths, can take us back to that first gasp of air and the feeling of being thrust into the unknown.
Particularly our first few times experiencing it.
Why Cold Therapy and Ice Baths
But why would anyone subject themselves to such a discomforting experience?
The answer lies in the benefits of cold therapy.
When our bodies are exposed to extreme cold, it activates our original survival instincts and forces us to be present in the moment.
This heightened state of awareness can help us achieve a greater sense of focus, clarity, and productivity.
In addition to its mental benefits, cold therapy has also been shown to have physical benefits.
It can reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and improve athletic performance.
Many professional athletes have incorporated cold therapy into their training routines.
When we are exposed to extreme cold, our bodies go into survival mode.
Blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and extremities and redirecting it to the vital organs.
This constriction helps to keep the core body temperature stable and prevent hypothermia.
Ground Yourself and Be Conscious of What You Are Experiencing
So, the next time you find yourself shivering in the cold, remember that some original benefits may be gained.
Experience these moments as a grounding event, reconnecting with your primitive, spiritual, human self.
And who knows, you may even feel like you can conquer the world.
The Original Fear
Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt encompassed by an environment so unfamiliar that it put you firmly out of your depth?
The feeling can be likened to our first experiences of the reality we find ourselves in as we come out of the safe and warm womb into the vast, spacious and bright world around us.
Thrust out into a cold and unfamiliar world.
This feeling is known as the "original fear", and it is something that we all experience the moment we take our first breath.
Unfamiliar Environments: a Week-Long Buddhist Retreat
During a week-long mindfulness retreat at a Buddhist monastery, I was reminded of this original fear and how it can be evoked through cold therapy.
The difference between my typical day-to-day environment, the retreat, and everything that came with it to be absorbed was vast.
This unique experience and unfamiliar environment connected me and sewed the seed of the original fear.
Cold exposure, like ice baths, can take us back to that first gasp of air and the feeling of being thrust into the unknown.
Particularly our first few times experiencing it.
Why Cold Therapy and Ice Baths
But why would anyone subject themselves to such a discomforting experience?
The answer lies in the benefits of cold therapy.
When our bodies are exposed to extreme cold, it activates our original survival instincts and forces us to be present in the moment.
This heightened state of awareness can help us achieve a greater sense of focus, clarity, and productivity.
In addition to its mental benefits, cold therapy has also been shown to have physical benefits.
It can reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and improve athletic performance.
Many professional athletes have incorporated cold therapy into their training routines.
When we are exposed to extreme cold, our bodies go into survival mode.
Blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and extremities and redirecting it to the vital organs.
This constriction helps to keep the core body temperature stable and prevent hypothermia.
Ground Yourself and Be Conscious of What You Are Experiencing
So, the next time you find yourself shivering in the cold, remember that some original benefits may be gained.
Experience these moments as a grounding event, reconnecting with your primitive, spiritual, human self.
And who knows, you may even feel like you can conquer the world.
The Original Fear
Have you ever experienced a moment where you felt encompassed by an environment so unfamiliar that it put you firmly out of your depth?
The feeling can be likened to our first experiences of the reality we find ourselves in as we come out of the safe and warm womb into the vast, spacious and bright world around us.
Thrust out into a cold and unfamiliar world.
This feeling is known as the "original fear", and it is something that we all experience the moment we take our first breath.
Unfamiliar Environments: a Week-Long Buddhist Retreat
During a week-long mindfulness retreat at a Buddhist monastery, I was reminded of this original fear and how it can be evoked through cold therapy.
The difference between my typical day-to-day environment, the retreat, and everything that came with it to be absorbed was vast.
This unique experience and unfamiliar environment connected me and sewed the seed of the original fear.
Cold exposure, like ice baths, can take us back to that first gasp of air and the feeling of being thrust into the unknown.
Particularly our first few times experiencing it.
Why Cold Therapy and Ice Baths
But why would anyone subject themselves to such a discomforting experience?
The answer lies in the benefits of cold therapy.
When our bodies are exposed to extreme cold, it activates our original survival instincts and forces us to be present in the moment.
This heightened state of awareness can help us achieve a greater sense of focus, clarity, and productivity.
In addition to its mental benefits, cold therapy has also been shown to have physical benefits.
It can reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and improve athletic performance.
Many professional athletes have incorporated cold therapy into their training routines.
When we are exposed to extreme cold, our bodies go into survival mode.
Blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and extremities and redirecting it to the vital organs.
This constriction helps to keep the core body temperature stable and prevent hypothermia.
Ground Yourself and Be Conscious of What You Are Experiencing
So, the next time you find yourself shivering in the cold, remember that some original benefits may be gained.
Experience these moments as a grounding event, reconnecting with your primitive, spiritual, human self.
And who knows, you may even feel like you can conquer the world.