Darling, today’s post comes from the radiant and ever-inspiring Catherine Grace O’Connell. Catherine has been on a transformative wellness journey for over 30 years, and her passion for healthy living truly shines through. As a 60+ model, wellness advocate, and ageless beauty, she continually challenges herself to embrace life’s discomforts and find empowerment through them.

In her last story, Catherine shared her top modeling and posing tips, helping us all look and feel our most confident in front of the camera. But today, she’s plunging into a new topic: wellness. Her unique perspective on health and aging gracefully will inspire you to try something new! Catherine’s wisdom goes beyond beauty; it’s about feeling vibrant, alive, and ageless inside and out.
Enjoy!
–Honey

Beauties, Are YOU Ready to Take the Plunge?

A Cold Plunge, that is!

I’m the Inside Out Girl and I’ve been on a natural wellness journey for over 30 years. I’ll do just about anything when it comes to healthy aging! I’ve added cold plunges into my wellness routine and it’s an energy game changer.

My 30-Day Cold Plunge Challenge

You may not believe that I became hooked on dipping into 46-degree water in the middle of winter. Every New Year, I challenge myself with a 30-day over-the-top health and wellness routine that’s kick-ass and life-changing. It was during my 30-day challenge that I began heading into the frigid waters, 46 degrees year-round, of the Puget Sound every day for 30 days straight. This past January that meant 30 mph winds, 10-degree wind chill, wild waves that would terrify, ice, and snow. We’re talking serious frostbite territory, so it’s vital to be cautious, and in weather like that, I always have someone with me.

 

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Why I Love Wim Hof, the “Ice Man”

I love Wim Hof. He’s better known as the “Ice Man” and, once you read his inspiring story and how ice baths transformed his life, you may just want to take the plunge! He even has an app where you can follow his program. He is the number one expert in the cold plunge arena and has been studied by scientists. He is continually pushing the boundaries of our physical and mental limits. That’s what I adore about his work. You can grab his best-selling book here.

Cold Plunging: The Key to Agelessness

My mission is to help women to Become Ageless in Mind, Body & Spirit. That’s why I’m a proponent for cold plunging. It’s amazing for the body and your physical health. It will challenge those monkeys in your mind like nobody’s business. And, the cold has a magical way to fire up your spirit!

A Life-Changing Experience

Cold plunging – it’s one of those practices that, on the surface, seems intimidating, but once you experience it, you can’t imagine life without it. I still remember the very first time I stepped into the cold, crisp water. It was a surreal experience, one that jolted my system in the best possible way, reminding me that growth always happens outside of our comfort zone.

Cold Plunging for Women Over 50

For me, cold plunging became more than just a health practice; it became a ritual of self-discovery and empowerment. As a woman over 50, I found myself craving new ways to challenge my body and my mind, to shake things up, and to reignite that inner spark. Cold water plunging did just that. I learned that the cold has a way of waking you up, not just physically but emotionally, and helping you shed fear and hesitation.

Immune System Benefits of Cold Plunging

As we move into the colder months, there’s no better time to embrace this powerful practice, especially as it gives such a wonderful boost to the immune system. Cold plunging stimulates the production of white blood cells, our body’s natural defense, helping to protect us from the colds and flu that tend to strike during the winter season. I’ve personally noticed how much more resilient I’ve felt – I’m healthier, more vibrant, and my body recovers faster. This past January with 30 days of icy cold plunges, I didn’t have so much as a sniffle.

Cold Plunging and Emotional Resilience

But beyond immunity, cold plunging has been a way to ignite my spirit and reconnect with my strength. I’ve always been someone who loves warmth, so the idea of plunging into cold water seemed almost laughable at first. But that’s where the magic happens – it’s in the space of discomfort that transformation takes place. Cold plunging taught me to embrace the discomfort, to push through the initial shock, and to trust that my body is capable of more than I ever imagined.

Cold Plunging: The Physical Benefits

As a woman over 50, I know the importance of keeping my body moving, energized, and strong. Cold plunging supports all of that. It reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and even sharpens mental clarity. With each plunge, I feel younger, more vibrant, and more connected to my inner vitality.

Getting Started with Cold Plunging

If you’re new to cold plunging, I encourage you to start small – even 30 seconds in cold water can begin to work wonders on your body and mind. The practice of stepping into the cold builds resilience, reminding us that we are never too old to try something new or to reclaim our inner power. Understand that the first few times are a mental challenge. It takes courage and will to endure the initial discomfort of very cold water. After that, it gets very easy. One important reminder is to have a buddy with you to ensure you’re safe. Now, you can also test out an indoor ice bath. You can find them in gyms and wellness spas. You can even purchase them on Amazon. Or, try your tub with some ice cubes or a cold shower. It all works!

Cold Plunging: A Way to Get Unstuck

Here’s one more wonderful side benefit of cold plunging. It will help just about anyone get unstuck! If you want to break the pattern of being yourself, try a cold water plunge! I don’t think I’ve ever experienced something as simple as cold water that was also so massively life-changing.

The Power of Cold Water

Today, I’m addicted. I’ve become a cold water plunge groupie who’s hooked on the feeling! The irony is how cold water FIRES ME UP. It helps me tap into my fierce side. It supercharges my willpower. It shows me every single day that when I tell myself I can’t do something, that it’s only my mind doing the talking and not the true me. Cold water shows me that I can do anything. And, most importantly, that I CAN BE ANYTHING. After all, it’s the culmination of our habits – our doing – that has the power to change our BEING!

Beauties, Remember: Cold Water Is Life!

So, are you ready to take the plunge with me? You might just find that cold water, in all its intensity, brings a surprising warmth and sense of empowerment to your life, just as it has to mine. Let’s dive in together and embrace the strength within.

Catherine Grace O’Connell is a mentor and coach for women on how to project confidence in their work and in their life from the inside-out! To inquire about working privately or in groups with Catherine, please contact info@catherinegraceo.com and be sure to sign up for her newsletter and give her a follow on Instagram:@catherinegraceo.