I finally did it!
I had spotted this place a few months ago, and knew it was something I would like to try later on. This seemed like a natural upgrade to the cold showers I had started a couple years ago. Yesterday it was finally time, I went for my first "ice bath" experience (actually, not quite the first, if you count the outdoor swimming I used to do ~16 years ago in winter time)
The water was cold, colder than my shower, but not that cold. (I had been advised against adding ice for my first session).
At first, you have to go through a mild but perceptible discomfort, until the body adjusts, then it's very pleasant, pure bliss actually. You are there, in the now, as only pure breath, in and out, slowly. Thoughts don't really matter much in that moment... Someone rightly commented on nostr that it's like "forced meditation".
https://njump.me/nevent1qqs0e7da77ljsjdnxymsy6a2n6a7rknctcanty3hmfjfkqwry6e8w9cpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygpax8mujy052ledc80tmmcnc5cnhsaxptevakz5m2fwmx6xvcpsvspsgqqqqqqsppw60c
The best part is that the feeling persists even after the session, I won't try to describe it to you, you just have to experience it yourself...
I think I'm hooked now.