Episode 211: The Benefits of Cold Exposure with Jennifer Richardson

Feb 14

There are so many benefits to deliberate cold exposure, but the one you might find surprising is the potential impact it can have on your alcohol-free journey.

Today’s guest is Jennifer Richardson, a registered holistic nutritionist, mood coach, deliberate cold exposure facilitator, and founder of Cold Community NORTH, a company that organizes cold exposure and contrast therapy events and retreats in Canada.

If you’ve ever been curious about building cold exposure into a regular practice, Jennifer answers all kinds of questions. She talks about its physical and mental benefits – from reducing inflammation to increasing dopamine levels – and the incredible impact it’s made on her own life, helping her through sobriety.

Personally, Karolina has also benefited from cold immersion. It’s an amazing tool that can help you become healthier, happier, and more resilient no matter where you are in life – and it’s also a practice she’ll be incorporating in the upcoming Euphoric Costa Rica Retreat!

IN THIS EPISODE:

Jennifer’s story: her entrance into the nutrition and mental health field for her own wellness, and the impact cold plunges and cold exposure have had on her sobriety
The practice of cold exposure or cold immersion and how to get started, from cold plunges and cold showers to stepping outside during cold weather
Mental benefits of cold exposure: increases resilience, boosts mood and dopamine levels, regulates nervous system, helps you sit with stress, can help with sobriety
Physical benefits of cold exposure: how it eases aches and pains, reduces inflammation, increases cardiovascular health, and increases metabolism
Cold immersion recommendations for men vs. women, how to practice cold exposure safely, and when to avoid cold immersion
Contrast therapy and how to use breath work and movement in your cold exposure experience

REFLECTION QUESTION

Are you curious about incorporating cold exposure or contrast therapy into your life?

If so, how could you start practicing right now? Do you live in a cold climate? Could you take a cold bath or cold shower? Or do you live near a lake or sauna you could access?

“I met a great group of people that were going into the lake in the wintertime here in Ontario. The main thing that I noticed, especially because I was early to sobriety at that time, was what it did for my mood and my mental health, and specifically, my dopamine. As a recovering addict, we chase dopamine a lot, and it really helped out and balanced my mood.” - Jennifer Richardson

“I'm not sure that I would still be sober if I didn't have deliberate cold exposure in my life.” - Jennifer Richardson

“What keeps me coming back to cold exposure? It's always different and that excitement and that rush is always there.” - Jennifer Richardson

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Learn about Cold Community NORTH and follow Jennifer on Instagram! She also recommends checking out @StayUnbounded and Ice Works Bath Co, who offer handcrafted cold immersion tubs.

Grow your dream coaching business to help others make alcohol insignificant and fulfill their greater purpose. Apply now for the Empowered AF Coach Certification, which begins in March. Join the coaching program to get certified in Alcohol-Free Life Coaching, Mindset Coaching, Success Coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coaching, and Hypnotherapy.

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