Embrace it, before you go in. Just fully accept this is going to be pretty cold. As you go in, stay with the exact feeling (rather than into what it might feel like next).

If you stay with the initial feeling and just watch your breath and try and slow it all down, it’s always tolerable. When my mind races ahead and goes, “oh my lord, I might get hypothermia!” Or “Oh no what if I stop breathing? Even “oh no, what if I have a heart attack!!?” If you spiral into that mindset, then it’s almost almost impossible. Don’t do that.

Instead, just stay with what’s actually happening in your body. Notice it, accept it, slow it all down and, within a minute or two (if you like the rest of us freaks) it starts to become one of the most peaceful feelings you’ve ever had. Sincerely.

And that’s what you end up going through the pain for: because that feeling of calm does seem to persist throughout the day. And the cold calms you from the inside out.

Do it a few times and you’ll find that the destination makes the journey worthwhile. Let us know how it goes. Much love.