Expose Yourself to the Cold: Why Shivering Is the Key to a Longer, Stronger Life

Insights from Wiggert Meerman, CMO of Newtra

We often seek comfort: a warm sweater, turning up the heat, and a hot shower. But what if the exact opposite—the brutal cold—is the secret to a pain-free body, less stress, and a longer life?

In Newtra 's video "Expose Yourself to Cold," Wiggert Meerman shares his personal experiences with cold exposure. He's not a doctor, but a practitioner who, through trial and error (and plenty of ice baths), discovered what cold can do for your system. Especially after intense jiu-jitsu sessions, the cold proved to be his lifesaver for recovery.

Here are the key lessons from the video and why you should head out into the cold today.

From Pain to Recovery: The Direct Impact

Wiggert's motivation for embracing the freezing cold was simple: pain. Intensive jiu-jitsu training had left him struggling with back pain and injuries. When rest alone wasn't enough, the ice bath provided a breakthrough.

The result? After just two days of cold exposure, he noticed an improvement. The cold acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It activates the body's self-healing capacity, allowing injuries to heal faster and reducing chronic pain.

How it works: The 'shock' and brown fat

The first step is the hardest mentally. Wiggert describes the first 20 seconds as the hardest phase. Your body screams to get out. But when you break through that barrier, relaxation occurs.

What happens physiologically?

• Brown Fat Activation: Cold activates your so-called "brown adipose tissue." Unlike white fat (storage), brown fat burns energy to keep you warm. This gives your metabolism a huge boost.

• Longevity: By regularly activating this mechanism, you are not only working on fitness now, but you are also investing in longevity .

Practical tips: How to get started (without an expensive ice bath)

You don't need a freezer in your garden to reap these benefits. In the video, Wiggert shares accessible methods for everyone:

1. The "Face Dip" (The Ultimate Stress Hack): Don't have a bath? No problem. Fill a bowl with water and ice cubes and immerse your face in it. Why does this work? It's especially powerful when you're experiencing a lot of stress . The cold water on your face instantly activates the "Mammalian Dive Reflex." Your heart rate drops, and your body immediately switches from the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and recovery). It's a "hard reset" for your brain when you're feeling anxious or tense.

2. One minute is enough: You don't have to spend hours in it. A short 60-second exposure is enough to reset your system and reap the benefits.

3. The Aftermath (Crucial!): The biggest mistake people make is jumping into a hot shower right after an ice bath. My advice: Let your body warm up on its own . It's precisely that process of shivering and internal heat production that provides the greatest health and metabolic benefits.

Conclusion: Comfort is the enemy of growth

Newtra's message is clear: we must challenge our bodies to stay strong. Cold exposure is a simple, free, and powerful tool for reducing inflammation, boosting your immune system, and instantly flushing stress from your system.

Whether you choose a professional ice bath, a natural swim, or a bowl of ice water on the counter: seek out the cold, embrace the chills, and feel your body switch on again.

Curious about Wiggert's full explanation? Watch the video here on YouTube.

Wiggert Meerman

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CMO for Newtraceuticals With a background in Fitness & Health Management and 20 years of industry experience in supplements, fitness, and high performance.