In this exhilarating guide to well-being, creative adventurer and wellness podcast host Libby DeLana illuminates the many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of cold water. She also explores how creating a daily cold plunging practice taught her self-love, courage, resilience, and the joy of being immersed in a community of adventurous women.

For most of her life, Libby DeLana believed she hated the cold—fear of cold became part of her identity. Then, in the midst of a period of deep personal inquiry, an impromptu dip in icy water in the company of other women cracked something open in her heart, forcing her to reexamine the limiting stories she told herself. If she could learn to love cold, what other beautiful life experiences might await?

In Cold Joy, an all-levels guide to cold plunging, DeLana shares her wisdom and expert guidance on how to create your own cold immersion practice for healing, joy, and self-discovery. It features simple-to-follow practices, personal storytelling, essential safety tips, and fascinating details on the science and history of cold immersion, as well as the vibrant community that has sprung up around the practice, providing everything you need to experience the tremendous power of cold water—whether dipping in a sea, lake, river, or tub.

Equal parts inspiring and instructive, and featuring breathtaking photographs throughout, this enriching guide is a must-have companion for anyone curious about cold plunging and a stirring call to open your heart to new adventures, new possibilities, and new joys.

“Cold Joy is an invitation to embrace presence, discomfort, and the fluid wisdom of water. Through tender reflection, DeLana guides us in witnessing our own truths—within ourselves, our communities, and the depths of our belonging.” —Alex Elle, New York Times bestselling author of How We Heal
“Wellness podcaster DeLana (Do Walk) celebrates cold water immersion as a source of joy and resilience in this inspiring guide…. With striking photography capturing her icy dips around the world and affirming language (she sees the activity as “an expression of self-love”), DeLana effectively frames cold plunging as a practice meant to be savored. Anyone curious about the benefits of cold water will enjoy diving into this beautiful volume.”—Publishers Weekly
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“Libby DeLana invites us into her wildly magnetic life shaped by daily walking, attention, and playing at the edges.”—Expanded Podcast
“Libby embraced cold plunging as a way to reset her mind and body. These rituals helped her reinvent herself as an author, podcast host, model, and inspiration for others seeking clarity and transformation through movement.”—REI’s Wild Ideas Worth Living
“Cold Joy is a plunge into the world of aliveness! It’s a compelling invitation to end your allegiance to comfort by following the voice of desire. Filled with bubbling inspiration, sound practical advice, and the sparkly magic that is Libby DeLana, this book will grab you by the hand and lead you to a place where you feel wild, happy, and oh so free!” —Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author

Libby DeLana (@parkhere) is a creative director, writer, and podcast host. She is best known for her daily walking and cold plunging practices, tools she uses for personal empowerment, well-being, and self-discovery. She leads cold plunging groups in Massachusetts and California and cohosts the This Morning Walk podcast with Alex Elle, where they interview a range of lifestyle influencers and spiritual leaders. Libby has been profiled by the BBC and NPR, and she has partnered with like-minded brands such as Fjallraven, Blundstone, and Hoka to encourage people to spend time walking in nature. She splits her time between Massachusetts and the San Francisco Bay Area.