Letting Go Of “No Way”: How An Ice Bath Rebooted My Thinking

Midlife Matters: Diane Amelia Read

Last year, if you’d told me I’d willingly sit in a tub of ice water, I would have laughed you straight out of the room. Me? The woman who hates being cold … cold and wet even more? The woman who lived 43 years in Boston but was loath to swim in the Atlantic Ocean? Nope. Never. Not happening.

For me, cold water was 1,000 needles in my skin. Repellent. And yet, there I was, slipping into a tub full of ice and 33-degree water while humming through my nose and wondering if I’d lost my mind.

What prompted the moment? A leg injury … and an awareness that sometimes a good swift kick out of your comfort zone is what it takes to let go of the stories you’ve been telling yourself so you can see where it goes.

Letting Go Of Limiting Beliefs In Midlife: Start With One “Never”

For decades, I maintained “I don’t do cold.” I avoided oceans, refused cold showers, and rolled my eyes when friends called a plunge “invigorating.” That “truth” was so ingrained, I never questioned it.

But as someone who coaches women on stepping outside their comfort zones, I felt the hypocrisy. I encourage others to challenge their limits, to stop letting old stories shrink their future. And here I was, trapped in a belief that had kept me from trying something that friends of mine were oohing and ahhhing about twice a week.

So, I decided to see what might happen if I traded “no way” for “what the hell …”

The Science Behind Cold Exposure And Mindset Rewiring:

Of course, part of me wanted data (science runs in my family). Cold exposure has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps regulate stress, mood, and digestion. Ice baths are believed to reduce inflammation, boost circulation, improve recovery, and even sharpen mental clarity [1][2].

And for busy, high-output women? Supporting our nervous system is no small thing. For more on restoring balance during midlife transitions, read this ritual guide for women over 50. The hormonal shifts of menopause and beyond can amplify stress, fatigue, and brain fog. The possibility of calming that inner storm with something as simple as controlled breathing and cold water felt intriguing.

When my friends asked me for the umpteenth time to join them, I signed on.

My Ice Bath Experience: From Shock To Inner Stillness:

The setting helped. Picture a tiered garden filled with music, plants, sunshine, and good vibes. As I prepared, a man with chronic sciatica climbed out of the tub, beaming. “Wow, wow, wow,” he looped, glowing with relief from the pain he’d limped in with.

I reviewed the steps: splash my face and torso with water from the tub, gaze at the ice to prepare my brain, let my body tell me when to go. Then, without conscious thought, my leg lifted and I was stepping in.

It was shockingly cold. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing …in and out through the nose, humming on the exhale. I don’t know if it was from focus or escape, but I entered a meditative space deep inside myself. Unaware of time, I opened my eyes. The guide said my lip was beginning to quiver, an indication that my body was saying, “time’s up.” It had been 3½ minutes.

Remembering that you can get benefits from being in for just one minute, I stepped out of the tub eager for the euphoria so often described. The adrenaline surge. The big payoff.

But, nothing. No “wow, wow, wow” like the guy before me. After such a big build up, I was bummed. I dried off, ordered a cup of chai, and sat on the terrace with my thoughts.

What Letting Go Of Limiting Beliefs Gave Me:

Although the “buzz” I anticipated didn’t arrive, something else did. Smug satisfaction.

I had let go of an old story, fixed and rigid, and in exchange, I received proof that I can challenge myself, even when it feels wildly uncomfortable, and move right through.

It was liberating. It was a door opening to yet-unseen possibility.

Practice Letting Go: 3 Simple Ways To Begin:

You don’t need an ice bath to practice. Here are three gentle ways to begin letting go of old stories that keep you caged:

Notice your “nevers.” Pay attention to where you say “I never do that” or “that’s just not me.” Ask yourself: Is this truth or habit?

Start small. Challenge yourself in micro-ways: a new class, a different route, or simply saying yes when your reflex is no.

Breathe through discomfort. Whether it’s cold water or a difficult conversation, your breath is your anchor. Inhale. Exhale. Stay present.

Midlife Growth Is Possible When We Let Go:

I still don’t love the cold, and I won’t likely ice bath again, but that was never the point. The experience was about showing myself I can continue to evolve, expand, grow.

When we challenge and release limiting assumptions, especially those we’ve carried for decades, we create space for fresh energy, new experiences, and an expanded sense of self.

Sources:

[1] Mayo Clinic Press – The science behind ice baths for recovery

[2] Health – 5 Benefits of an Ice Bath (and How To Take One Safely)

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