Ice Baths, Gordon’s & the Pursuit of Energy

It’s been a long winter, hasn’t it? Months of hibernation, eating our bodyweight in biscuits and racing through Netflix box sets. Somehow, though, we’ve made it to Spring. The group chats get lively. Expectations rise. Everyone else seems to be bounding into brunch while you’re quietly Googling, Is it normal to feel this tired?

The reassuring news is that there are plenty of ways to rebuild your energy that don’t involve anything drastic. Did I take that sensible approach? I did not.

Instead, I listened to my nephew Joe (well, he’s always been my favourite). Joe is in his thirties and offensively fit. He climbs mountains and does triathlons. For fun. Recently, he has become evangelical about Ice Baths. The clarity. The energy. The mental sharpness. So, against my better judgement and all available evidence, I thought: why not?

Last week I bought up every bag of ice in my local supermarket. This did not go down well with the man queuing behind me, clutching his bottle of Gordon’s and shooting me a look of deepening despair. Undeterred, I got home, tipped the ice into the bath, removed my clothing with the stoicism of a woman about to make an excellent wellness choice, and got in.

Oh… my… God…

What followed was not rejuvenation but trauma. Joe had suggested starting with one minute. One minute? I lasted ten seconds before jumping out, blue, gasping and questioning every life decision. I wrapped myself in towels and crawled under the duvet, where hubbie found me two hours later, teeth still chattering and whispering darkly about disinheritance.

I was not refreshed. I was not energised. I was in urgent need of hot chocolate and emotional support.

Which brings us, as life so often does, back to the deeply unsexy truth: real energy comes from doing a few simple things consistently - and kindly.

Start with Food - the sort that looks as though it once grew somewhere. Protein, whole grains, colourful fruit and vegetables, and please don’t skip breakfast. If most of your meals come from packets with ingredients that sound like a chemistry exam, your body is unlikely to reward you with sparkling vitality. Coffee and cortisol are not a great combination.

Hydration is the most unglamorous miracle available to us. Without enough water, both body and brain become sluggish - much like a smartphone stuck on low-battery mode. A mid-afternoon glass of water and something nutrient-dense - think nuts, seeds, a square of dark chocolate - can perform minor wonders.

Move, but think brisk walk rather than boot camp. It will do way more for your energy than another hour of Instagram scrolling.

One of the greatest energy thieves, though, is Speed. We rush, over-schedule and wear busyness like a badge of honour - I know I have. Pause deliberately every couple of hours. A few minutes of stillness. Slow your breathing. This isn’t laziness; it’s maintenance.

Then Sleep. Proper, restorative, health-improving sleep. Not half-watching something while your phone glows accusingly beside you. Create a device-free wind-down routine that tells your body it is now safe to switch off and recharge.

And if your fatigue is persistent, do talk to your doctor. Checking B12, iron, vitamin D levels and thyroid function - common culprits - isn’t indulgent; it can be transformative. Because real energy - the steady, life-enhancing kind - doesn’t come from punishing extremes or freezing baths. It comes from looking after yourself in ways that actually work. 🌿