Executive Summary

Cold plunging, or deliberate cold-water immersion, has become increasingly popular among athletes and high- performance professionals for its physical recovery benefits. However, its potential as a mental training tool to promote intentional focus and build resilience is now receiving attention as well. Recent neuroscience research indicates that cold exposure activates stress response mechanisms, providing an opportunity for your mind and body to develop mental endurance under controlled stress. More specifically, cold exposure stimulates the vagus nerve, which results in the release of key neurotransmitters that help strengthen the neural pathways underlying focus and resilience (Jungmann et al., 2018; Miksi, 2024; Shetty, 2024). This paper presents information on how cold exposure ca...