Soak in the bathtub in cold water in winter
When the bitter north wind howled past the window lattice, the sky hung low in a grey haze, and the earth was tightly wrapped in the chill, people wrapped themselves in thick cotton-padded clothes and curled up beside the radiator or stove, seeking a bit of warm comfort. On such a winter day, if someone suggested taking a cold water bath, most people would probably shake their heads or even find it hard to believe. However, it is precisely this seemingly "self-torturing" behavior that contains a unique and profound experience, allowing one to have a deep dialogue with their body and soul in the bone-chilling cold.
Pushing open the bathroom door, a cold and sharp smell hit me in the face. The bathtub was already filled with clear water. The water surface was as calm as a mirror, yet it glowed with a chilling cold light that made one's heart tremble. I took a deep breath, and the cold air rushed into my lungs through my nasal cavity, refreshing my spirit. Slowly taking off the clothes, the exposed skin immediately felt the coldness of the air, the pores tightened instantly, and a layer of fine goosebumps spread on the arms. Standing at the edge of the bathtub, I could clearly feel the cold touch coming from the soles of my feet, as if I were standing on a huge ice brick.
After a moment's hesitation, I gritted my teeth and carefully dipped one foot into the water. In an instant, a sharp chill shot straight from the soles of the feet to the brain, as if countless tiny ice needles had pierced the skin. I couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath, and my body instinctively wanted to retreat. But I know this is just the beginning. Taking a deep breath, calming my mind, I gathered my courage and slowly sank my entire body into the bathtub.
Boom!" It seemed as if a cold torrent instantly swept across my entire body. Every inch of skin was in close contact with cold water, and the bone-chilling coldness was beyond words. The heart shrank sharply, and the blood seemed to freeze for a moment. Then it rushed out at an even faster speed, attempting to drive away this sudden intruder. Breathing became rapid and shallow. With each inhalation, it felt as if the lungs were filled with cold air, bringing a tingling pain. I closed my eyes, trying hard to calm my pounding heart and disordered breathing, feeling every change in my body in the cold water.
The first few minutes were extremely hard to endure. The cold was like an invisible hand, tightly grasping my body and attempting to drag me into the icy abyss. I felt the tension in my muscles, the sensitivity of my nerves, and an urge to escape immediately. However, in this extreme cold, a strange sense of sobriety began to spread. The brain became clearer than ever before, distractions were dispelled, and all the senses were focused on the present experience. I can clearly feel every slight fluctuation of the water flow, the powerful pulsation of my heart in my chest cavity, and even the sound of blood rushing through the blood vessels.
As time went by, the body seemed to start adapting to this cold. That sharp stinging sensation gradually subsided, replaced by a coldness that penetrated to the bone marrow. But strangely enough, a subtle warmth began to arise inside the body. This is not due to the increase in water temperature, but rather an automatic stress response of the body to resist the cold. The blood circulation speeds up and the metabolism increases, as if a tiny flame is burning inside the body, fighting against the cold outside. This warmth that emanates from within contrasts sharply with the coldness outside, creating a unique sense of balance.
In the cold water bathtub, time seems to slow down and stretch on. I began to think, to ponder the overlooked details in daily life and the problems that troubled me. The cold seems to filter out restlessness, making the thoughts pure and focused. I felt an unprecedented sense of peace and tranquility, as if I were cut off from the entire world, leaving only a conversation between myself and this VAT of cold water.
I don't know how much time had passed. When I felt that my body had fully adapted to the cold water and even began to enjoy the clarity brought by this coldness, I knew it was time to get up. Slowly standing up, water droplets slid down his body, bringing an even more bone-chilling chill in the cold air. Quickly dry your body and put on the warm clothes that have been prepared in advance. A warm current instantly wraps around your entire body. This transformation from extreme cold to warmth brings an unparalleled sense of happiness.
Stepping out of the bathroom, the winter wind was still biting, but at this moment, I felt my heart brimming with strength. The experience of soaking in a bathtub with cold water is like a battle against the cold and even more so, a challenge to oneself. It made me realize the limits of my body and also let me feel its potential. It keeps me awake in the extreme cold and makes me cherish warmth even more after the cold.
Soaking in a cold water bathtub in winter is not suitable for everyone and is by no means a kind of enjoyment. But it is a unique experience, a awakening of vitality. It teaches us how to face discomfort, how to challenge ourselves, and how to find inner peace and strength in seemingly unbearable environments. Perhaps, this is the true meaning of a cold water bathtub in winter - to encounter a stronger self in the cold.
This is not merely a physical cleansing, but also a spiritual practice.