Discomfort is in fashion – whether you’re running 50 miles in the mountains of Wales, doing hot yoga in crowded studios, or breaking the ice for a swim in a lake.
The question is: why? Improving your mental health is one of the reasons – and then there’s the constant battle against an expanding waistline from excessive eating, take-out and too much social media.
But when I take an ice bath on the North Cornish coast, to the soothing words of Sam Boot and his partner Jana Virian, and breathe in and out in a long, slow rhythm, something melts. I feel like I’m in a different place.
And when my friend Elizabeth and I sit in a sauna after two minutes in the ice-cold water and sip mint tea, life looks as rosy as my cheeks.
For the past few hours, we’ve been giving an introduction to the Wim Hof Method of Soul Sweat, a health and wellness movement led by Sam and Jana. They guide us gently through transport breathing exercises, meditation and a presentation of the method, as well as a yoga session.
Hugo Brown tries out a three-day spa package while staying in one of the pastel cottages on Cornwall’s Three Mile Beach (pictured)
After two minutes in an ice bath filled with ice water, Hugo relaxes in a Three Mile Beach sauna (above) and drinks mint tea
The ice bath looms outside. Those ice cream scoops, which I usually associate with making a stiff drink, now float around intimidatingly in a metal container.
Wim Hof is a Dutch guru-like figure. His revival of ancient practices made him a phenomenon. In 2010, he set the record for the longest time in full-body contact with ice at one hour and 44 minutes (now stands at three hours and 28 seconds). For us mere mortals, a short ice bath is challenge enough.
We will stay in a row of pastel colored three bedroom beach cottages on Three Mile Beach overlooking Gwithian – each with its own sauna, jacuzzi and sea front facilities.
The Wim Hofworkshop is part of a three-day package in collaboration with Three Mile Beach.
From Muisgathawe, pictured, Hugo departs for a day of coastal cruises in the cold sea
Swimmers on Gwithian. Hugo says he feels “refreshed and clear” after his time in the cold sea.
On Hugo’s last night, he stands on the cliffs above Gwithian Beach (above) and admires the view
A freestanding bathtub in one of Three Mile Beach’s cottages
Also included is a day of coasteering with Global Boarders. For the latter we drive to Muisgathawe via the now cobbled streets. Once dressed in a winter wetsuit, boots, gloves and an unflattering hood, the icy sea doesn’t seem so intimidating. Our guide Chris is cheerful and reassuring. “I think coasteering is one of the purest forms of being in the water,” he says.
We spend a few hours in the sea diving, drifting through canyons in search of marine life, seeing seals and poaching and finally changing to look for the next pasta.
This afternoon, tired from our morning escapade, we both feel anxious about a two-hour surf lesson.
But it’s another joy when Miss Steve screams every time we get up. Before we know it, we are out of the water again; refreshed and clear. On our last night we stand on the cliffs above Gwithian and look out to sea one last time. I feel calm in a way that is not often possible in my normal life.
Trends come and go and this discomfort may not last forever. But it worked for me in a way I didn’t expect. Try it while winter lingers.
Source link
James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
