My own ice bath experience: what I learned about my body and mind

When I first began my personal ice bath experience, I expected it to be physically challenging—and it was. The cold was sharp, almost shocking, and every cell in my body screamed to get out. But what truly caught me off guard was how much of the experience was mental.

In those first seconds, my thoughts ran wild: "This is unbearable," "What am I doing?" "Get out, now!" It was a pure fight-or-flight response, and I quickly realized: the discomfort wasn’t just in my body—it was rooted in my mind.

Mind over matter: the power of controlling your thoughts in ice baths

Over time, and with more practice, I discovered something powerful. I wasn’t just training my body to handle the cold—I was training my nervous system and learning to master my mind. The moment I shifted my focus from panic to breath, everything changed.

Instead of resisting the cold, I told myself: “I choose where my mind goes. I focus on my breath.”

With that simple intention, the experience became not only more bearable, but surprisingly peaceful. My breath became my anchor, and that mental shift turned the ice bath from a struggle into a moment of clarity and strength.

Nervous system training through cold exposure

What I didn’t realize when I started this cold exposure journey was how much it would support me beyond the ice bath itself. Sitting in freezing water taught me how to stay calm under pressure, how to stay present in discomfort, and how to reset my nervous system through breath.

Now, when life gets overwhelming or emotions run high, I return to what the ice taught me: breathe, stay, and trust that this too will pass. Ice baths became more than a practice—they became a tool for building emotional resilience and mental clarity.

picture source: Stan From The Sea X Soma Studio

picture source: Ocean Breath Barcelona X Jill Kusters

Curious to explore ice baths in a gentle, supportive setting?

join beginner workshop

Learning to get comfortable with discomfort

One of my biggest takeaways from this personal ice bath experience is this: discomfort isn’t the enemy. So often in life, we try to avoid uncomfortable feelings. But through cold exposure, I’ve learned to sit with discomfort—and even find peace in it.

If I can stay calm in freezing water, I know I can face emotional, physical, or mental discomfort with the same mindset. This practice helps me move through life with more presence, less fear, and a greater ability to stay grounded, no matter what’s happening around me.

picture source: Stan From The Sea X Soma Studio

Breathwork: the anchor in every situation

For me, breathwork makes all the difference. Without it, the ice bath is a fight. With it, it's a deep, calming experience. 

Breath has become my most powerful tool—not just in cold water, but in everyday life. It helps me enjoy the good moments more deeply and move through tough moments more gracefully.

That’s why I now teach breathwork myself. The ice bath showed me the incredible power of the breath to regulate the nervous system, calm the mind, and bring presence to any situation. As I often say: your breath is your anchor.

picture source: Stan From The Sea X Soma Studio

Final thoughts: your mind is stronger than you think

This journey into cold exposure has been about more than just cold. It’s about mindset, presence, and resilience. 

The cold didn’t change—but I did. I chose to meet it differently, and through that, I unlocked a strength I didn’t know I had.

You don’t have to do it alone.

Join a safe, supportive session where you’ll be guided by me through breath and cold exposure to meet discomfort with calm.

check upcoming workshops here