James Bond, Elastic Man and Life Hacks
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Hoooo! Hoooo! Hoooo! Ahhh!!
Every morning for 30 days a hearty howl could be heard originating from the upstairs bathroom at our house followed by a peal of laughter coming from a separate room. It was October 2013 and I was life experimenting again. What sort of experimenting? Well, not what you're thinking pervert. Ha ha! I kid. I kid.
It was an an effort to increase my mental toughness. I used Google to see if there were any simple "life hacks" that would do this. That's when I came across Bond, James Bond - the "James Bond Shower" more specifically. Simply put the James Bond Shower is a cold shower. And I took one. For thirty days. Straight.
Every morning I groggily stepped into the bathroom, mentally steeling myself for the icy wake up call. The theory is that a bit of discomfort is good for us and if you can get your mind around some small discomfort you will be more likely to be able to handle a larger hardship. Practitioners of the technique also claim research reveals many physical benefits as well such as fat burning weight loss, immunity boost, increase in testosterone, better hair and skin and an increase in your mood which lasts throughout the day.
I eventually worked out a technique. After lamenting the fact I couldn't turn the hot faucet on, I'd gingerly step into the tub, using my best Elastic Man style to move my right hand into the stream and slowly up my arm. After that, turn and left arm, all while standing at the far end of the tub. Extending one foot under and back out then repeat the same. Quickly torso in and out of the water to help build up lather. After being all soaped up it was time to "man up". Same thoughts every time: "All right. Ready? Here we go!" and into the icy blast. Sudden intake of breath and a frantic rush to "GET THE SOAP OFF!" Turn water off, towel on and out. And then the big grin.
I only(!) did it for 30 days, so I can't attest to the weight loss, immunity boost, testosterone or epidermal benefits but my mood was always brightened when I stepped out of the shower. Maybe it was because the shower was over but when I looked in the mirror I always had a goofy grin on my face and the same thought "I can't believe I just did that.". It was definitely invigorating. And it made Laura laugh hearing my shrieks. "Why didn't you try this in July when the water isn't so cold?", she asked. I didn't think of it then.
I must admit I cheated once or twice, sticking my right arm in and calling it a day. I just couldn't muster the mental fortitude. My apologies to those who were in close contact with me following those occasions.
Would I recommend it? Sure, why not. Like I said, it definitely increased my mood and it was a little tweak that changed up life for a bit. Did it make me mentally stronger? I don't know about that.
Enough time has passed where I think I'll try it again tomorrow morning. It can't be that bad. Can it?
All right. Ready? Here we go!
Every morning for 30 days a hearty howl could be heard originating from the upstairs bathroom at our house followed by a peal of laughter coming from a separate room. It was October 2013 and I was life experimenting again. What sort of experimenting? Well, not what you're thinking pervert. Ha ha! I kid. I kid.
It was an an effort to increase my mental toughness. I used Google to see if there were any simple "life hacks" that would do this. That's when I came across Bond, James Bond - the "James Bond Shower" more specifically. Simply put the James Bond Shower is a cold shower. And I took one. For thirty days. Straight.
Every morning I groggily stepped into the bathroom, mentally steeling myself for the icy wake up call. The theory is that a bit of discomfort is good for us and if you can get your mind around some small discomfort you will be more likely to be able to handle a larger hardship. Practitioners of the technique also claim research reveals many physical benefits as well such as fat burning weight loss, immunity boost, increase in testosterone, better hair and skin and an increase in your mood which lasts throughout the day.
I eventually worked out a technique. After lamenting the fact I couldn't turn the hot faucet on, I'd gingerly step into the tub, using my best Elastic Man style to move my right hand into the stream and slowly up my arm. After that, turn and left arm, all while standing at the far end of the tub. Extending one foot under and back out then repeat the same. Quickly torso in and out of the water to help build up lather. After being all soaped up it was time to "man up". Same thoughts every time: "All right. Ready? Here we go!" and into the icy blast. Sudden intake of breath and a frantic rush to "GET THE SOAP OFF!" Turn water off, towel on and out. And then the big grin.
I only(!) did it for 30 days, so I can't attest to the weight loss, immunity boost, testosterone or epidermal benefits but my mood was always brightened when I stepped out of the shower. Maybe it was because the shower was over but when I looked in the mirror I always had a goofy grin on my face and the same thought "I can't believe I just did that.". It was definitely invigorating. And it made Laura laugh hearing my shrieks. "Why didn't you try this in July when the water isn't so cold?", she asked. I didn't think of it then.
I must admit I cheated once or twice, sticking my right arm in and calling it a day. I just couldn't muster the mental fortitude. My apologies to those who were in close contact with me following those occasions.
Would I recommend it? Sure, why not. Like I said, it definitely increased my mood and it was a little tweak that changed up life for a bit. Did it make me mentally stronger? I don't know about that.
Enough time has passed where I think I'll try it again tomorrow morning. It can't be that bad. Can it?
All right. Ready? Here we go!
posted by Ludger Sylbaris at 12:34 AM
1 comments
