Cold showers and deep breaths
The ancient samurai exposed themselves to waterfalls (ie. fucking cold water) every morning when they could, so legend goes).
Native Americans in the mid-atlantic would bathe their babies in the cold water of Cheasapeake Bay every morning, and thru to adulthood.
Wym Hof, aka, the Iceman, has set 26 world records for cold environmental feats including the longest ice bath at 1 hour and 52 minutes and 52 seconds. The guy is a fucking legend in his own right. And he’s still alive, even after all the crazy shit he’s done, including climbing Mt. Everest with no shirt on, through a blizzard.
It is said he has total control over his immuno-response through breathe and controlled acute exposure to stressful situations (like freezing cold).
One thing I really enjoy understanding is the power of developing character and resolve. “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” The quote is from a post-apocalyptic novel by G. Michael Hopf.
And doesn’t it ring true for the contemporary society?
To sum it up, we’re fucked.
Good times create weak men. Well, I would say we are there, and now weak men are creating hard times. The good news, is that eventually the cycle will continue, the bad news, at the expense of the good times.
Well I believe we can develop character and resolve in a controlled situation. Namely, wake up and do it. Use the power of the breath and your activate your Wym Hof breathing technique, then just in the cold ass shower and develop that character and resolve.
Perhaps we can have both the good times and create strong men. Will definitely need some conscious effort.
Coin flip? Probably won’t happen for society. Too many weak people. Maybe on the next go around?