The takeaway I get is that it increases perseverance. So basically, "doing something physically unpleasant every day increases ability to push through/withstand other physically unpleasant events" is my big takeaway. Seems pretty straightforward. Not necessarily novel, especially when you add in the exercise portion.
I think there's some value to pushing yourself harder than the minimum to be comfortable and survive. But I don't think that's a eureka.
There are some parallels to Stoic philosophy there. Ancient stoics would exercise regularly but state the health effect as a secondary benefit, the primary benefit being the virtuous exercise of discipline.
Anyone who had to do military draft will confirm it. Even after 9-12 months of mandatory service you don't come back buffed like a body builder - but the daily exercise and regime puts you in a different state of mind.
Navy SEAL training involves extended cold water exercise specifically designed to build perseverance. The ones that succeed are experts at not quitting anything
> The takeaway I get is that it increases perseverance. So basically, "doing something physically unpleasant every day increases ability to push through/withstand other physically unpleasant events" is my big takeaway.
Yeah, that's the hypothesis I need to see falsified before I start taking cold showers. I reckon my 'perserverance' muscles get enough of a workout from fasting.
So basically, "doing something physically unpleasant every day increases ability to push through/withstand other physically unpleasant events" is my big takeaway.
Meh, that would require an independent confirmation too. It is harder for me to believe that doing one somewhat uncomfortable thing a day will make you more likely to push through multiple other more uncomfortable things.
I wonder if mouthwash is similar, if to a lesser degree? Every morning I use mouthwash until I've "felt" all the pain of it, which is when I am done. And I always hate it, and it never gets easier, but I always feel better afterwards because I accepted the pain.
I think there's some value to pushing yourself harder than the minimum to be comfortable and survive. But I don't think that's a eureka.