How to Use Cold Water to Reset Vagus Nerve

[@marcoscruz8540]

Hi Justin, so happy to have found your video to confirm my experience and what I keep preaching to friends. I discovered cold water therapy about 2 years ago with the onset of my anxiety. Which was affecting my sleep, cognition and digestive system…my good ole overly-sensitive vagus nerve. Me and cold water are best friends now. I live on Gran Canaria so anytime something is wrong with my body I visit the beach - go talk to the ocean before I head to the doctors. On the days I’m struggling with the water temperature I speak to the cold water while I’m getting in “I love you, you are my best friend, this is fun…you are going to make me feel better, you make me feel good”. And I always, always do afterwards, gone is the rumination and edginess. Needless to say cold rinses in the shower are a must for me now. A perfect day for me is early morning yoga, immediately after a dip in the cold ocean followed by a light-breakfast and life is bliss and the day will be too. Glad I found you…I’m keeping an eye on you. Take care buddy!

[@kerry-annanderson-forbes301]

My consultant has recommended trying cold water therapy and so I hit google to find more information. Thanks for the tips, will be trying it shortly:)

[@rhondapelletier2141]

Again! These videos are priceless. They are just tools, but they can bring so much comfort to so many people!❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🌿

[@JustinCaffrey]

Thank you Rhonda. 🙏❤️😊

[@bernatnadalcursach326]

Hello. I think the cold water, helps allot if you have fear in your live. Becouse every time, you say i can do, i can swim into this cold water, you are goin more and more strong mentaly , evey day. Swim in cold water, is very good to get out the fear of your live , and also calms your body from nerciosism or ansiety. Fear i thing is a very bad thing and alot of people have and they dont know. Sorry with my poor English. And thanks for all your videos.

[@JustinCaffrey]

I understand you. Seek discomfort and the body starts to find a sense of resilience. Thank you Bernat.

[@troyg708]

Very good video, totally agree. You explained it well

[@dottisun8756]

Yes

[@Cancerfighterowen]

Yes!! This channel is perfect. I’m really studying the vagal nerve to complete the healing of my cancer.

[@JustinCaffrey]

Great work. I will be interested to watch your work.

[@everyday316]

Thanks for posting

[@delphi-moochymaker62]

Yep. I love cold showers now! They help you to lose weight as well. February in Canada, the ground water can get really freezing cold! 😮

[@JustinCaffrey]

Well done Chris. 👏👏❤️

[@richardsadventures4958]

Congratulations from Edmonton. Scared to start!

[@delphi-moochymaker62]

@@richardsadventures4958 Start easy. Just cool water for a few seconds. Eventually you will crave the cold water. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it's like jogging or working out. The cold starts to feel good, just like having a good sweat can. I look forward to it now.

[@samhotstick13.28]

I’m a very healthy 60 year old, but I did recently get diagnosed with Afib, and I think it’s from stress, will cold water, stimulate my para sympathetic and help keep my heart rate down or will it stimulate my Sympathetic instead and make it higher.

[@andrewsteele111]

Hi Justin, I've been having once a week cold dips in Rivers for nearly a year and morning cold showers for over the last 3 months or so building up slowly. I stay in for 2 to 3 minutes quite comfortably, but the last one I had as I was getting out I felt faint thought I was going to faint felt really dizzy, noticed my heart beat felt erratic super quick fluttering almost, it really scared the pants off me , could this be vagus nerve related ? I've been OK since but not been fully submerged in cold water and only just reducing the temp of my shower slowly very slowly as I don't want that experience again.

[@JustinCaffrey]

I would check it with your cardiologist. Cold water can present a shock to the system, which is why you should build it up slowly. Don’t push yourself too hard.

[@mikamakalainen3599]

Hi and thanks for the video! Are we going to get the same health benefits (especially immunity-wise) in both scenarios: A) Hot shower and then turning the tap to the coldest for 5 minutes B) Hot shower and gradually going colder and colder by getting used to it and finishing it with the coldest for 5 minutes? I've realized scenario B is way easier for me + I don't want to spike my heartbeat and blood pressure uncontrollably. Thanks in advance! Regards from Poland!

[@shanaguilar8352]

THANK YOU!!

[@dottisun8756]

There is an AMAZING PLACE HERE IN ZURICH to do the cold water 💦 therapies 😀

[@kelsyham]

Where? I visit Kusnacht once in a while.

[@dottisun8756]

@@kelsyham also …… there is a meet up group . We go to Obere Letten . Very nice !!! Or of course Sauna Enge am See 🏋️‍♀️💥🍷cheers :) look forward to see u

[@kelsyham]

Sounds like fun! :)

[@christopherellis2663]

At 3 AM, just open a window. That might be cold enough. The Canal was frozen, last week, but at a 20 minute walk away, it was too risky to try for a dip.

[@michellecook-hill]

Thank you for these videos. 😇Does it make a difference if it’s in a body of water or ur tub?

[@JustinCaffrey]

Great question Michelle. You can use your own tub just get the water cold enough. When you feel brave enough you can add ice too. Go slowly at the start and build up the resilience.

[@michellecook-hill]

Thank u. I’ve been doing cold/warm/cold/warm showers. My nephew does a 3-5 minute cold shower every morning. It’s part of his sobriety routine. I’m looking into your courses. Glad I found u 🙏

[@JustinCaffrey]

@@michellecook-hill thanks Michelle. I will be doing some live sessions with those who have taken my courses in September. I might see you then. Well done to your nephew - super impressive! 👏👊🙏

[@afriendlyperson2495]

Hi Justin, just a question about stimulating vagus nerve. I have used eye movements and massaging my ears. It was very relaxing when I was doing it but then after two days my anxiety got much worse. I might have done it vigorously because I noticed that my ear was a bit sore from massaging it. Please could you give me some advice. I will really appreciate it. Thank you.Leona

[@delphi-moochymaker62]

Hi Leona: I am not answering for Justin, but as an EFT Master Practitioner, I work with the vagus nerve and various meridian points on the body. You are pressing too hard if your ear is sore. Just enough pressure to slightly move the underlying tissue. You will find that with the eye movement therapy, that your anxiety will likely increase in the short term as you become more aware of it and unseat what has been bothering you at a subconscious level. Make sure you are in a safe environment, preferably with someone you trust and can relate your feelings too. Don't try to wing it on your own if you don't need to. I invite you to look into EFT Tapping if you aren't doing it. It has helped me greatly with complex trauma. Peace.

[@MilesCri]

Have you published your research in peer reviewed journal? Or is it just your sensation.

[@JustinCaffrey]

Thanks for your question. It has been extensively studied in peer-reviewed research over the past five years. In the last two years, cold water swimming has seen a significant spike. If you use Google Scholar, you can access the relevant studies. What is most notable is that cold water spikes dopamine and keeps it elevated for longer than most other stimulations. There are also studies showing the capacity of cold water showers to boost immunity. However, I suggest you try experiencing it yourself for three months to see what you think.

[@mijf1171]

Hi Justin, how many times a day can we do cold shower or dunking face in ice water?

[@JustinCaffrey]

There is no limit. Cold showers can even be good on a nights where you can’t sleep. It reduces the core temp and helps the body shift into sleep.

[@mijf1171]

@@JustinCaffrey Thank you for reply. Is there a temp range for somone who is in extreme Sympathetic state? As well what about dunking face in cold water? Thank you again for opening our eyes to the Vagus nerve.

[@bredaodwyer2150]

Justin hii As I'm avid reader learner etc I'm about to buy da meditation course but your take on getting on with meditation I touch then go back then more but not catchd on Any tip or worldly advice on doing resist so as to meditate as I m constant caught on others issue energy as I have to assist in me mama care...cheers ßrda

[@JustinCaffrey]

Go slow and steady to start with. Don't set big unachievable goals. 🙏

[@bsbusterbsbuster463]

Thank you for your helpful information. I have a question about the hand pressing exercise. I’ve started it 10 days ago but I’m still struggling with anxiety and depression, especially because of the pandemic. Do you think I should continue? My condition is long standing but got a lot worse with COVID. Appreciate it.

[@JustinCaffrey]

Thanks for your message. How many are you doing each day? Have you kept them to a similar time each morning? Sorry to hear you are struggling. Have your sought the help of a therapist? The technique will help the nervous system calm down (typically after 2-3 weeks), however it is most effective when combined with therapy. I’m order to recover from PTSD I had to work closely with the root of my trauma along with the techniques. The more server your issues the longer the process. Slow and steady is key.

[@bsbusterbsbuster463]

Thanks for the prompt response! I’ve been doing 3 sets of 3 breaths each, but not in the morning. Usually before bed. I’ve seen a lot of psychiatrists and psychotherapists, taken medication for almost 20 years and tried a lot of alternative therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, bioenergetics, reiki, gentle touch, feldenkreiss, bioresonance, holotropic breathing, etc I started the letting go technique by David Hawking a year ago, and, while it’s intellectually more satisfying, I don’t feel a big difference. My brother-in-law died 10 months ago because of COVID and it’s been hell ever since! I’ve had a lot of unexplainable physical and psychological symptoms and I’m wondering if there’s some kind of vibrational shift because of all the energy work. All the blood work I did was more or less normal.

[@alexandramcleod2079]

@@bsbusterbsbuster463 I’m so sorry to hear of your loss and your situation. Much love. I suffered PTSD and what helped me completely snd long term was EFT. Do you know of this therapy. For me BIG ‘T’ Traumas I had a EFT therapist help. He was able to clear away emotions that I thought would never go and had just become part of my personality. I do use many techniques but EFT was my break through clearing. It gave me a fresh base line. The therapist I used was Gene Monterestelli. I now use EFT on my own but a therapist for the big T was essential. Many blessings for the journey. And congratulations on your residence and self kindness. 💝🔆Thank you also for this wonderful vdos. 💝🔆

[@bsbusterbsbuster463]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I’ve tried EFT before but not regularly. I’ll see if I can go back.

[@JustinCaffrey]

@@bsbusterbsbuster463 the key to any change is regular work. I used subjective emotive brief therapy to heal my trauma and PTSD, but it requires regular sessions most weeks. This was in conjunction with the hand pressing and silent scream exercises. If you have deeply held trauma you need to do deep work to release it. I am sorry for your loss. These last two years have been hard. Wishing you well. 🙏

[@cristiplopeanu]

Hi Justin! Just found your channel and I am happy to learn more about the Vagus nerve also. I need your opinion on two questions: 1) I'm having a tough time getting my nervous system to "warm up" after a cold shower, to the point I stopped taking cold shower at all last year. Now I want to start again, but I am not sure if this is the best decision for my body right now. 2) I wake up at night feeling cold as soon as the temperature reaches ~24 degrees outside. Can (and should) I improve my cold resilience so I can sleep comfortably without waking up at lower temperatures? Thanks you! 🙏

[@JustinCaffrey]

I would try again. It might be helpful to wear more clothes in bed to keep the heat in?

[@bredaodwyer2150]

Thnx a million++✓✓✓ßrda

[@JustinCaffrey]

You are most welcome Breda. 🙏