What do the ancient Germanic tribes, Wimm Hoff aka The Iceman and our iconic German poet Johann Goethe have in common? They were and are all active advocates of ice bathing. And there are some of these enthusiasts in Berlin too: since 2017, a group has been meeting every Saturday (10h) from November through March to bathe together in the cold water. The collective “dip” into the cold water lasts several minutes. This may seem daring or even bizarre to some, but the tradition has a long established history and brings with it an extensive list of benefits. Just like cold showers, bathing in cold water is said to boost our immune system and is good for our skin and connective tissue. D The low temperatures trigger a kind of shock reaction in the body; adrenaline, endorphins and corticoids are released, which, incidentally, also has a positive effect on mood. So, a regular bath during the dark winter months could actually do all Berliners a lot of good… Taking part is easy: the locations are listed on the Ice Dippers website. If you want, you can also join their Telegram group via a link. Participation is free of charge. However, there is a donation jar, the proceeds of which go to Kältehilfe Berlin.
We started our self-experiment last week on the Regatterufer in Altstalau. Our group leader Jakob started by introducing us to the practice of the “Wim Hof” breathing technique. We then undressed straight away and went for a morning cold kick in the eight-degree Spree. Thanks to the breathing technique, the water was cold, but our bodies were relaxed and awake. At the end there was hot tea, a good contrast for those who wanted to stay for a quick chat or feedback. According to Jakob, around 600 people take part in the Saturday Ice Dippings each season. Refreshed, boosted and in a good mood, we then made our way home to the city center and can most definitely recommend this weekend activity.
Text: Laura Iriondo / Photos: Yulia Roth
@icedippers
