It’s cold. It’s challenging. But it feels really good. Cold plunging is a wellness practice that pushes you outside your comfort zone, then rewards you with a long list of physical and mental benefits: the cold releases feel-good endorphins and boosts dopamine, our happiness hormones, helps with muscle recovery and stimulates circulation.
Following their 100-Day tour of Australia’s most beautiful and bone-chilling cold plunge spots, we catch up with Cold Nips co-founder, Jian. The community movement meets for sunrise swims to build connection, raise awareness for mental health and promote wellbeing. Read on for Jian’s favourite places to feel the freeze.
The most beautiful beach to dip:
Australia is too big and too beautiful to name just one! A few top favourites are Noosa (QLD), Kingston Beach (TAS), and Denmark (WA).
The best manmade beach:
For sure, Boathaven Beach in Airlie Beach. It’s got all the markings of a tropical oasis with its white sand, palm trees, crystal clear water and surrounding green hills. The locals told us that the water gets nice and warm in the summer, being one of the furthest north places in Aus!A hidden gem cold dip spot:
North Haven, NSW. We didn’t know much about this place before stopping here — it’s a small and quiet town with a beautiful beach, and we were treated to an absolutely epic sunrise.
A spot to add to your bucket list:
Take me to Antarctica! I went for a dip in the Arctic Circle in Norway in 2015; the south is next.
The bluest water to dip:
Nowhere beats West Australian beaches. Esperance has our hearts; it’s got the most crystal clear turquoise water we’ve ever seen.
The coldest to dip:
It’s a close draw between the Blue Mountains and Jindabyne. They’re both freshwater spots that are naturally a bit colder; we’re talking 5º C in the water and also very cold air temperatures. But overcoming the shock really makes for exhilarating dips.
The best place for your first outdoor dip:
Nowhere is as beautiful and warm as Noosa!
The inspiration for Cold Nips' 100-day tour as their next big thing came to Jian a year ago. Drawing from Ned Brockman’s cross-country run and the desire to improve the wellbeing of over 100,000 Australians, Cold Nips decided to take their show on the road. Promoting connection in the community, growth through discomfort, time spent in nature, finding purpose and having fun — Cold Nips’ values are the recipe for feeling a little better every day. Some of the tour highlights include Ellery Creek in the outback of Alice Springs, the icy freshwater lake in Jindabyne, and Scarborough Perth, which will mark the 100th dip, bringing the journey full circle back home. Follow Cold Nips on social @cold_nips and catch up with the 100-Day tour @coldnips_australiantour
- At the end of your shower, slowly turn the water temperature down. You want to do this slowly so your body has time to adjust.
- Focus on deep, controlled breathing to keep calm and let the cold water hit your feet, hands and legs first before moving to your core and head.
- Try it for 30 seconds to start and build your way up to 1-2 minutes. This helps to boost circulation and leaves you feeling invigorated.
Or, try our Cold Therapy Facial Treatment. The ultra hydrating and comforting mask acts as a cold plunge for your face.
