Easing Anxiety with Cold Exposure

Cold showers, ice on the wrists, or a cold foot bath

When anxiety levels are high, simple cold exposure techniques can provide quick relief. Taking a cold shower, placing ice cubes on the inside of your wrists, or soaking your feet in a basin of cold water can all help. This kind of temperature shock activates the sympathetic nervous system, prompting an immediate physical response that pulls you back into the present moment.

This activation also triggers the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, which can lift your mood, sharpen your focus, and—perhaps most importantly—disrupt the spiral of negative thoughts and emotional overwhelm.

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