When was the last time you felt like you were really living it up, achieving your dreams, stepping up to the challenge? Taking care of Junior doesn’t have to mean that you’re days of fun are over. But I get it. Kids require energy–a lot of it.

And moms are lacking sleep, feeling wiped out and exhausted. When you’re feeling like that, the most you can do is get through your daily routine. Don’t expect to “carpe diem” when you’re wearing your crankypants with your eyes half-open.

Solution? Cold showers.

Let me tell you about the experience that opened my eyes to the power of the cold shower.

I live on Canada’s west coast, where the winters are mild, but the ocean is freezing. Only the crazies can be found taking a dip in the pacific ocean at winter time. Well, call me crazy. On January 1, 2013, I dove in. I participated in the Polar Bear Swim along with thousands of others.

This is a big deal for a girl who never sets more than a toe into water that isn’t steaming.