“People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:26).

The first Sunday of Advent is always a reminder of what will unfold as we read about the second coming of Christ. Advent is penitential, and with the start of the liturgical new year, we may be caught off guard, lacking in will power. Will we be lifeless and with little hope, due to feeling depression and fatigue at work?

As winter draws near, it can be easy to lose motivation. To restore the balance, we may need to introduce something unexpected—a unique method that can shake ourselves back into greater responsibility.

Awaken Your Spirit for the Coming Season

Sometimes, to keep yourself in shape spiritually, you also have to tend to yourself physically. How do you decompress from work, discipline, and constant order? How do you reset? How do you administer self-care?

Some of us may treat ourselves to anything that indulges the senses, but self-care does not only have to be about pampering yourself. It can also be about embracing an austere practice to become more resilient. Most people would enjoy a hot bath or a soothing facial, but there is also an option that is just as ancient, yet penitential in nature: ice baths. Cold water immersion can provide us with the stimulation we need to restructure our dull and daily inclinations.

Instead of a shot of espresso, look to a three-minute plunge to revitalize you for (or from) your work routine. Taking an ice bath is an invigorating approach that you can take occasionally, up to even three times a week, to practice asceticism. When we feel lethargic and run down, with a desperate need to refocus, a stiff penance such as this one can help us see the hidden blessings in difficult times. If you are dozing through prayer after all your seasonal work preparations, this habit may help you to approach your devotions with more vigilance.

After Trembling, Benefits

Winter is coming! We might ask why on earth anyone would consider such a bitter idea during the dead of winter? Aside from helping us to be more alert and evade burnout, ice baths during this season can remedy deeper issues and help us develop a sense of “blue martyrdom.”

After the Edict of Milan, many conflicts arose, with some early Christians succumbing to the idleness common in the surrounding culture. Christianity was finally an official religion, which meant there were fewer martyrs dying in Christ’s Name. As a result, bishops were motivated to make way for the dawn of asceticism. It was an opportunity to help Christians fend off moral laxity, and ever since then, it has been one of the purest methods to conquer any temptation lurking about, ready to bring us into sinful devastation.

One of the most powerful benefits of ice baths is reaching the upper echelons of self-control, which can battle intemperance—a sin easily exacerbated by indolence. Ice baths can help keep us from excessive comfort. Making use of ice cold water is like a rush of rebellion against the flesh. It is a way to say “no” to overindulgence and indifference—and come out the other side a new person. The more routine this ascetic practice is, the less we are a slave to our environment or workplace afflictions. When we voluntarily decrease our level of comfortability, we broaden our adaptability.

You may have also heard of Exodus 90, a program that includes cold showers to build discipline. Men in lay and religious communities often adopt these practices, but women can take on this challenge effectively by submerging our entire core. We may learn to overcome the desire to retreat by fully immersing ourselves in a tub of freezing water.

You might discern what happens once we learn to overcome ourselves: adequate room to serve our neighbor. With greater self-discipline, we can look past our own issues, sensitivities, and impulses and rise to the occasion for others in the workplace or throughout daily life. Ultimately, this is how we live out our allegiance to Christ. Embracing any challenges during our spare time can only make hardships throughout the day appear more mild.

This “test of the will” can also provide us with relief from constant workplace tension. Ice baths may naturally heal us from physical discomfort or pain. Studies show that cold water exposure can lower inflammation and improve sleep, helping us manage physical symptoms of stress. In fact, this type of hydrotherapy can reduce cortisol (a primary stress hormone) and increase norepinephrine (which can lower depression). It can also improve our well-being throughout the hormonal changes of our cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

Lastly, ice baths during the cold season can help us adapt to the harshest winter, providing relief for workers who have long commutes by foot. On the east coast, I’ve dreaded walking seven blocks from the train station to get to the office or even three blocks to arrive at a project site.

A Splash of Testimony

If you have any ongoing or chronic health conditions, consult with your healthcare professional just as you would before undertaking an arduous fast. We are only as good as our temple. Always be mindful and communicate with God.

However unusual our methods are, we must always seek ways to be vigilant and attentive to Christ, especially in how we manage ourselves throughout the day. Remember, everything we do impacts our prayer life, and there is no shame in finding wholesome ways to maximize your performance, including with the help of asceticism.

Let us know by commenting in our Facebook group: Have you ever braved the challenge of an ice bath and seen benefits? How might you become more spontaneous and fearless and plunge yourself into the right disposition for God’s grace this season?

”May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping” (Mark 13:36)!

Berthe Emmanuella Antoine is an interior designer who sees no distinction between her work life and devotion to God. She fine tunes others on how to create beautiful habitations in Christ from their domestic surroundings to the innermost parts of their being. Her rule of life has led her to launch INTERIOREM VITAM, a Catholic decor blog and boutique with a sleek and classic aesthetic. She is forever whisked away into the intricacies of hidden devotions and the silence of the interior life. She hopes to build a fruitful community around the brand’s mobile app. Feel free to join and start a conversation with your comments.