Extremes/Cold Plunge
(click on images to view them full size)
All or nothing mentality.
All or nothing mentality gets me up at 4 am to catch the sunrise at Frank Lake (45min drive). (EXIF data f5.6, 1/100s, 600mm, ISO12800 - LR noise reduction used in processing).
I’ve often said that I have a tendency to an all or nothing mentality and by that I mean that I’ve got to give 100% or I’m not doing it - that perfectionist approach that has the potential to be so limiting. That all or nothing mentality is also what causes me to grin and bear it - power through - whatever way you want to say it - I can ignore pretty much anything going on inside of me and just focus on the end goal. Needless to say there are occasions when that results in a total breakdown of some part of me (getting sick is a big one, back spasms or other sundry aches and pains). I think it’s my body’s way of saying - you should have listened to us in the first place, but since you didn’t we’re letting you know that we’re on strike for the foreseeable future.
I must say that the older I get I’m starting to listen to the early warnings sooner and preventing some of those strikes. (Ha! you say recalling that I’m recovering from a foot tendonitis issue)
Cold Plunge
Recently we (Kory and I) had an interesting experience with our friend Maya. I believe that Maya thinks I need to get out of my comfort zone at least once a year (note: this is the story I’m making up in my head - I don’t know if it’s true, but I’m still sticking with it). Last year she convinced me to come to a spin class with her - something I’ve never done before. It seemed safer than when she convinced me to start jogging in Fox Creek only to have a close encounter with a moose!
I showed up at the class and was welcomed by a very friendly person on the front desk who then handed me a pair of shoes and a pair of ear plugs saying that I would be needing these. I put on the shoes and headed into the studio - not sure about the ear plugs, but when Maya assured me that I’d want to put them in I just did as I was told (she has that effect on me).
How the sensory overload experience felt. (EXIF data 3 image multiple exposure merged in Photoshop)
Well the studio filled up quickly with all sorts of mostly women ranging in age from early 20’s and 30’s - I was definitely the only silver haired one in the room, but that was ok. I got on my bike and suddenly the lights went out and a neon laser light show started - I mean some serious light effects along with loud pounding music (thank goodness for the ear plugs). Even the instructor was wearing them which got me wondering why they didn’t just turn down the volume, but I was assured it’s part of the experience.
Forty-five minutes later and I felt exhilarated and thankful that I survived - my racing heart was starting to return to some semblance of normal and I felt thrilled to have made it through the class. I can definitely understand why it’s an addictive form of cardio, but I have to admit that I’ve not been back - I just can’t hack the sensory overload with the lights and music.
Well this year’s nudge outside of my comfort zone was an afternoon at a Nordic spa with saunas, steam rooms and a cold plunge pool that runs about 13C (58F). Now the last time that I willingly went into water that cold was when we did our advanced open water dive training in Gozo in December 2008 (ok I messed up thinking that the Mediterranean Sea would still be warm in December) - I had to do buoyancy control exercises in a pool at 14C with a 7mm wet suit on and I still had trouble controlling my shivering limbs. I vowed never to do something like that again (at least not voluntarily) - famous last words.
Fast forward to this year and I was agreeing that trying cold plunge would be interesting - something new to try - sure thing - what was I thinking? We showed up at the spa a few minutes early to get signed in and prepared for the afternoon. The spa is a lovely space with most areas being designated as quiet spots - something that is appreciated when you’re just wanting to unwind and relax, or perhaps it’s to prevent people from screaming as they hit the cold water.
Minimalist tranquil image of marsh grasses in the snow. (EXIF data f2.8, 105mm, 1/200s, ISO 200)
I took my journal with me for the rest periods - the routine is to spend 10 - 15 minutes in a hot space (hot tub, sauna or steam room) followed by 5 - 7 minutes in the cold pool followed by 15 minutes resting (repeat sequence two more times). I found that having a hot tea during the rest period and sitting on a lounge chair writing in my journal was a very pleasant way to focus my thoughts and really be present.
In fact the whole afternoon was really pleasant and left me feeling refreshed and relaxed. I’ve even started to incorporate a cold shower into my routine after spending time in our outdoor barrel sauna - I’m sort of getting used to it a bit.
Activities That Stand the Test of Time
It’s interesting to me which activities I try and enjoy right away versus those that I either avoid like the plague (most team sports or racquet sports) - I’m not guessing that I’ll be trying pickleball anytime soon (don’t even think about it Maya!). I do need to increase the cardio that I’m doing, so I have started jumping rope and I’m up to 5 minutes of skipping - not an easy thing to do, but exhilarating and it seems to be sticking as I’ve been doing this for over a year now. Building habits is an interesting process and I wrote about it here.
Black crowned night heron in flight captured by panning with a long lens challenges my upper body strength and stability. (EXIF data f6.3, 1/800s, 600mm, ISO10000 - LR noise reduction applied during processing.)
Strength training is another habit that I’ve stuck with and must admit to being addicted. I started out doing it to ensure that I will be able to continue to practice wildlife photography well into my later years, however it has become something that I enjoy. Being able to marvel at what my body and my muscles are capable of doing is the real charge that I get. I have written about my strength training journey in a number of my blog posts.
“Brains are important only in that they allow us to move, interact, and exert our influence on the world, Wolpert explains to me. And muscles make that happen.” - Bonnie Tsui, On Muscle
Finding balance in the world of extremes
I admit to living a life of extremes sometimes, but I also find that this keeps my life interesting and spicy. I also find that when I have downtime and calm that I appreciate this time even more than I might otherwise. Life feels very rich and full when I get curious and try new things while maintaining things that are working well for me.
Are there new experiences that you’ve tried recently that you’d like to recommend to me? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or reach out to me directly by clicking on the Connect With Me button.
Female red winged blackbird likes to inhabit the marsh despite some extremes in temperature this year. (EXIF data f5.6, 1/200s, 600mm, ISO6400).
I hope you’ll come back soon, share a cuppa, relax and enjoy more of my musings.
