I do cold dips quite regularly. It is quite shocking to the system. Depending on how cold the water is and the outside temperature, your results will vary.
My leg inflammation that I had for years from running vanished and the calves seem to ride much higher. Your skin becomes tighter. All brain fog leaves. I feel an instant meditation. My breath becomes so calm, evenly flowing from both nostrils, and very light, after the initial shock.
Pure joy wells up from inside of you and focus becomes one-pointed.
I have experienced some minor frostbite that alleviates within 12 hours. Be careful not to stay in too long until you build up.
It will initially temporarily shrink your willy, balls and scrotum. My balls literally become uplifted into the perineum and they actually vanish as well as the sac, for a short time until warmed up and everything descends again.
As far as libido, I am into my 60’s and don’t use impotence drugs and very little herbs these days.
The cold plunge banishes worry and depression, and you do feel extremely aware, focused, high, conscious.
I used to go to Jones Beach in the winter. Now I go to mountain pools, and gym refrigerated pools. But, I am no great Scandinavian, sawing holes in the iced-over lake and dipping. Not sure if I could, but, if it was available, I certainly would give it a shot for a very short duration. I doubt I could hang with those locals.
In the beginning, a hot shower or heated pool should be nearby. And then you can alternate from hot to cold, five minutes in each for a total of 5 to 7 reps. You will emerge just feeling zen and stunningly present and sober.
One thing I notice is that I lost my taste for alcohol in general after becoming a dipper, and just require less food. Your breathing becomes deep and diaphragmatic.
I sometimes do it with other guys, as is the local custom. We kind of look out for each other. Sometimes you find a quiet part of a wild clean river. Most just skinny dip it.
You will lose your belly, muscles become taut and flab falls away.
I see some old boys in their 80’s doing it. One or two, close to 100. After, they sit and meditate. Then, drink lots of hot tea made from loose tea leafs. But, I never developed a taste for those teas. Boiled water suits me far better.
You could just take a cold shower at home if you don’t want to go through the wild outdoors rituals. It is almost just as good.
One of my kids who lived in Manhattan told me that refrigerated pools are common in spas and gyms there these days.
Also, you can submerge yourself and train yourself to hold your breath for a number of seconds and then minutes.
But, with all this water therapy, do some research and you can consult with the expert on the subject, these days, Wim Hof.
Please be careful with riptides at the beaches and natural bodies of water, and even in pools. Please be super cautious. At the beaches, the waves come so fast and furious, and the sand beneath your feet vanishes, and suddenly, unbelievably, you are far from shore. Don’t panic. Stay afloat and ride a wave back to shore.