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"Cold-plunge fallacy" — why some self-improvement routines create more stress than they relieve

Ellsworth Toohey
Sep 05, 2025
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Traditional Siberian winter recreation - swimming in the ice-hole (De Visu / Shutterstock.com)

The pursuit of self-improvement can sometimes lead us astray, according to neuroscientist Rachel Barr. She's coined the term "cold-plunge fallacy" to describe how specific wellness trends might do more harm than good for some individuals.

Barr's concept, as repo…

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