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Most of us spend our lives avoiding discomfort. We turn up the heating and shy away from cold showers. In fact, we do everything we can to stay in our comfort zone.
But – what if a little discomfort could actually make you stronger?
This idea is central to the work of people like Wim Hof. It also aligns with a core chiropractic principle: your body is designed to adapt and heal. The goal though isn’t to endure pain for its own sake. Rather, it’s about using it as a signal to wake up your body’s innate intelligence.
For example, purposeful physical stimuli like cold can change how your brain and body communicate. It can help you become more resilient to life’s challenges.
Take your vagus nerve, for example. It’s a key part of your nervous system that acts like a brake. Slows things down after stress, and serves as a built-in reset button to restore balance. When your “vagal tone” is strong, you can comfortably move from high alert to a state of rest.
Cold exposure is a powerful way to stimulate your vagus nerve. Even small doses, like a splash of cold water, trigger a protective response that wakes up your system.
This activation helps your brain switch gears more easily, moving from stress to calm with greater efficiency.
Over time, it trains your nervous system to recalibrate and respond more efficiently under pressure. And strengthens its ability to adapt to challenges. Think of it as a workout for your nervous system!
By training it to respond to a small, controlled stressor, it will get better at handling other things life throws at you.
Your nervous system constantly gathers information and uses it to keep you safe and stable. It’s a sensory feedback loop that connects what your body feels with how your brain responds. We call it “sensory integration”.
Modern life, however, often dulls our senses. We live in temperature-controlled boxes, and our bodies can forget how to adapt.
Cold exposure wakes up that sensory feedback loop. It prompts the brain to tune into physical feedback, particularly with respect to regulating body temperature (thermoregulation).
Thermoregulation is how we maintain optimal core body temperature range in response to heat or cold. It’s also a key indicator of a healthy nervous system.
Your brain should respond rapidly to extreme external temperature stimuli by adjusting the systems that control your temperature. If those stimuli are foggy and unclear, your brain can’t do that efficiently. Or quickly!
Consistent gentle cold exposure helps sharpen those signals, training your system to interpret and respond more effectively.
Chiropractic care provides foundational support for your nervous system, thus supporting sensory integration.
When your spine moves correctly, your nervous system can function without interference. That means better coordination, steadier posture, and a body that’s quicker to adapt, whether from a long day or an icy dip.
Furthermore, when your body’s communication channels are functioning well, internal systems don’t need to work as hard to stay balanced. This frees up energy to help you feel more resilient, focused, and in control.
You don’t have to jump into an ice bath to get the benefits. Introduce ‘cold’ gently, especially if you have a sensitive system. Or you’re trying to get your family on board!
Try:
Even these small actions will stimulate your vagus nerve. Importantly, they build adaptive strength without overwhelming your system.
Teach your nervous system that discomfort is not a threat but rather a signal to get stronger.
The body and mind are not separate. And, when you step outside your physical comfort zone, something remarkable happens.
You start building emotional strength. You’re showing your body, and your mind, that challenge isn’t danger. It’s proof you can handle hard things and come out stronger.
Instead of seeing discomfort as something to avoid, view it as information and an opportunity for growth. This could be the feeling of an adjustment that releases old tension. Or it could be the bracing chill of cold water.
These experiences teach your nervous system to be less reactive and help you become more resilient. They remind you that your body is not fragile. It’s designed to be strong, adaptive, and brilliantly capable of healing itself.
Combining intentional practices like cold exposure with chiropractic care isn’t just patching up symptoms. You’re building a nervous system that’s ready for anything.
If you feel stuck in a state of high alert, let’s talk. If you are curious about building a more resilient system, we can help. We can explore how to get your brain and body working together so you can feel your best.
And if I’m not the right person to help, I’ll make sure you find someone who is.
