Have you ever heard of cold therapy? It's when you intentionally expose yourself to cold elements for health benefits.
If you've ever seen someone wandering around the snow in shorts and flip-flops, it's probably someone practicing cold therapy.
But cold showers are the more common (and practical) approach.
There are a number of documented benefits. But the most interesting is the jolt to one's mindfulness. When we shock our system with a sudden drop in temperature, it makes us pay attention.
It's not for everyone, but try a cold shower and see what happens. It puts in perspective how easy it is for us to wander through our day to day.
Our minds are home to a lot of chatter and it's easy to forget what's around us.
Or if not a cold shower, something else that gets you to pay attention a little more than normal.
We could all use a jolt once in a while.