Ice baths are now the coolest boardroom must-have
Porsches, private jets, a bevy of personal assistants, fish kitchens and even personal advisors on fine art acquisitions – these are all among the status symbols flaunted by top executives.
The latest trophy will seem less attractive to many: an ice bath.
But having a cold-water bath in your penthouse or mansion into which you can plunge your shivering self is, believe it or not, a sign of prestige.
Famous fans of ‘cold water immersion’ – the fancy term for submerging yourself in ice-cold water – include pop stars Lady Gaga and Madonna.
The trend has taken hold in boardrooms and on trading floors.
The cold water craze includes ice cold showers and ice baths, where users plunge into a sauna-like box or inflatable pod at a low temperature for a few minutes.
Try it on for size: Hugh Wahla, former boss of fashion chain Urban Outfitters, is a fan of the big freeze
Like many fads in the business world, this one seems to have started in Silicon Valley.
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey says he starts his days at 5 a.m. with an ice-cold bath, just before his five-mile walk to work. A cold dip is part of Richard Branson’s morning routine on his Necker Island.
Brewdog founder James Watt, who has an ice bath on the balcony of his luxury London apartment, claims it is the ‘most important’ thing he does for his health.
Enthusiasts claim there are numerous physical benefits.
According to them, exposure to the cold, alternated with a warm shower or a sauna, can improve circulation, which is beneficial for heart health. The cold can also help numb the pain receptors in people experiencing joint or muscle pain.
Bosses also believe it increases their resilience to uncomfortable experiences, training their brains to better handle stress.
Some City enthusiasts joke that the temperature of these dips is actually much warmer than some investor meetings.
Hugh Wahla, former boss of fashion chain Urban Outfitters and furniture store The Conran Shop, is a fan of the big freeze. “Every time I face a new challenge I remind myself that I went from hating the cold to an ice bath,” he enthuses, having just returned from a bone-killing dip in the outdoor pool at Brockwell Lido in South London.
He even goes so far as to say that experiencing “the invigorating chill of the water” is a “powerful way to build community and forge deep connections” with colleagues.
James McMaster, boss of protein shake maker Huel, says daily cold showers make him ‘a better CEO’, while weekly ice baths help him build mental stamina.
Managers from his company even took a dip together at an office party last year.
A founder of a British technology company says ice baths are popular with his 30s as a way to combat work stress.
Chilling: Richard Branson takes a dip on Necker Island
It’s even a thing on Wall Street. Vito Sperduto, head of RBC Capital Markets US, says he hasn’t used hot water for years – even despite New York’s harsh winters.
Immersion in cold water can release ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the body.
Krissie Claire, who runs a marketing agency Kollectify, says she takes a cold dip in the morning.
“It’s self-care, meditation, challenge, anxiety-reducing, post-exercise muscle recovery, a safe space and a place to overcome fear to prepare for what’s coming your way,” she says.
Many follow the teachings of Wim Hof, a Dutch motivational speaker called “the Iceman,” who popularized cold water immersion.
However, admiration for him has dimmed in recent weeks following accusations from his ex-partner that he abused her and her children for years. Court denies these claims.
Ice baths come with health warnings, including a risk of hypothermia or frostbite if someone lingers for too long.
But anyone who wants to bathe like a boss can pick up a cheap ice tub from High Street shops for less than £50, with more luxurious ones costing closer to £4,500.
Other City types head to locations such as Hackney Wick Sauna Baths in East London, which has barrels of ice-cold water. Or you can simply take a cold bath or shower at home.
DIY INVESTMENT PLATFORMS
A.J. Bell
A.J. Bell
Easy investing and ready-made portfolios
Hargreaves Lansdown
Hargreaves Lansdown
Free fund trading and investment ideas
interactive investor
interactive investor
Invest for a fixed amount from € 4.99 per month
Sax
Sax
Get £200 back in trading fees
Trade 212
Trade 212
Free trading and no account fees
Affiliate links: If you purchase a product, This is Money may earn a commission. These deals have been chosen by our editors because we believe they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on it, we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow a commercial relationship to compromise our editorial independence.