Ice baths and breathing

Hi,
I am creating this thread to post my experiences with ice baths and practicing breathing techniques.

Yesterday I did set up an ice bath as it is getting colder outside. I just tested it right now. For the following week night temperatures are casted to go down to 7°C, 13°C during days. Ideal temperatures to start as the water goes below 15°C. It is not freezer.

I will keep up to record all the baths I will do, add some notes to them if so. I also would like to get know your experiences and if you have any questions. Yet, I am not that experienced. I did only a month of ice baths in the winter before last, it was quite challenging mentally as physically.

- Breathing: Before or after I will do some sets of breathing if I feel like to do so and have a time for it. 3-4 sets of 30-40 deep breaths (fully in, out without force), after each set breath all out, hold somewhere over 90s until I really need to breath in, breath fully in, hold 10-15s all pressure in the head, release, few normal breaths, repeat. This will stay same 3 sets are needed, 4 are perfect. #yesitswimhof

- Warming up: I am not yet sure. There are some options warming up after icebath. I will choose as I see it fit. Punching myself with fists, moving my body, breathing, warm shower, soup, tea, laying down in the bed. I will not be doing warm/hot shovers before icebaths, I believe it will put me into the right mindset.

Ice bath #1: 16.9°C, 5min (9pm), no head, no breathing
Surprisingly temp didn't yet go down. After not moving all day being home, this still felt cold. Pretty tight and shivering, but not hard to stay in. No hot shower before or after.
After effects: no longer being cold at home, fresher skin

 

Ice bath #2: 14.3°C, 4min (9:40pm), head in, few breaths
Definently colder and a bit freezy effect after. I was shivering but not that tight. Warming up in the bed, going to relax. Feeling much better. I was asking myself why I am going to do this willingly, now I know.

 

Ice bath #3: 13.9°C, 5min (9:40pm), head in, few breaths
Getting in was kinda hard. Especialy during rain at night it felt kinda wet, cold and overwhelming. I was fighting my head while being in, but time ran fast. I took deep breath and dived in, became the one! Yes! Geting out, body was super hard. Felt good. Warming up with tea.
After effects: Tingling in the knees, upper body feels alive.

 

Ice bath #4: 12.9°C, 6min (9:00pm), head in, few breaths and 2 sets in the morning
While being in, I was trying to warm up by flexing inner muscles. I think it helped, after fourth minute or so, I stopped shiverrzzzz. Temperatures decreasing.

 

Ice bath #5: 12.6°C, 3min (9:00pm), no head
My mind was a bit out of space, but thing is done. I wish I dived in. Always feeling sleepy after ice bath.

Breathing: 4 sets in the morning, breaths holded 60-90s

 

Thank you for the support, means a lot!

Ice bath #6: 13.6°C, 2min (8:00pm), no head
After two days of pause, another ice bath. 2 minutes - just what I needed and the hardest part was already done. I was getting a little cold, ready for another run.

 

Ice bath #7: 13.3°C, 2min (10:30pm), head in
Geeshh don't think 13°C is warm water. Feels very good.

 

Ice bath #8: 14.4°C, 3min (9:15pm), head in
Below 14°C was better, but it is still same hard to get in.