Whether it’s a wintery blizzard or blazing sun, MC Jenni has walked to the edge of the cold Montana creek near her home every day for the past 14 years. She disrobes, takes a deep breath, and gazes at the trees, water and rocks. Then she plunges into the icy current.
“When I go under and come up, everything is clearer. That moment of clarity is elating,” said Jenni.
Cold water immersion is an ancient practice that has roots in many different cultures, particularly those in high latitudes. Scandinavians have long lauded the post-sauna cold dip as a way to rinse off toxins, jump-start blood flow, and release endorphins. Even Hippocrates and Thomas Jefferson avowed the benefits of soaking in cold water — but is it worth it?
Taking the Polar Plunge
Jenni began her daily dunks as a way to relieve back and hip pain after hockey games. But she quickly realized that “playing in the creek” for a few minutes each day shifted her whole system in positive ways.
