Exposure of the body to cold is de facto physical suffering.
Throughout my whole life, I was afraid of physical suffering. It was something I was always trying to avoid. Since I started taking cold showers and wearing summer clothes in frigid temperatures, I began doing the opposite of what I feared. Undoubtedly, it was a moment when I went out of my comfort zone. A similar issue regarding going out of my comfort zone happened when I started intermittent fasting. Still, intermittent fasting does not evoke physical suffering. The truth is that taking cold showers and walking in summer clothes in freezing temperatures still produce pain in my body (especially on my fingertips and hands).
Of course, the more I do it, the more I feel robust and resistant to cold. Still, I know it will hurt until the end of my life.
There is no way to get used to frigid temperatures without suffering. Often, when I return from the 2-hour walking in cold temperatures, I warm myself up, and I must simply thaw. My body must get used to warm temperatures after coming back. Cold hurts. Still, I know the reward awaits me after every cold exposure. It improves mood and general better well-being. It does not mean cold exposure will solve my problems. The same is true with intermittent fasting. All these things won’t solve anything. Still, I have no doubts that to feel and act better, one must stress the body to feel the power.
The exact issue is with doing sports. After all, stressing muscles hurts.
All the people who do work out could say a similar thing. They also add that the effort and physical pain are worth doing it. They feel better and more powerful. I do not have tattoos. Thus, I cannot say this kind of physical pain is good for me. Still, regarding working out, intermittent fasting, and exposing the body to cold, suffering will lead to better results in every aspect of one’s life.
