Boing Boing

Boing Boing

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

Ellsworth Toohey
Sep 05, 2025
∙ Paid

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…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Boing Boing.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Happy Mutants LLC · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture